Activated Carbon Production from Mahogany Tree (Swietenia

Macrophylla) Fruit Husks or Mahogany Carpel

Abigail Mae P. Yanong, Keziah Rae M. Cartin, Nicole L. Unggay, Ella Reisha
T. Dela Cruz

Abstract

This study is entitled “Activated Carbon Production from Mahogany Tree

(Swietenia Macrophylla) Fruit Husks or Mahogany Carpel” was conducted to
know if the Mahogany Carpel is potential as a substitute for Activated
Carbon.Mahogany tree is commonly found in regions where there is a very
warm climates. They are mostly found in the tropical moist deciduous forest.
They shed their leaves annually and because of this we can see a lot of
Mahogany carpel in the ground beneath the mahogany trees. People tends to
ignore the Mahogany fruit husks or mahogany carpel because they thought
that it is not useful. This Mahogany fruit husks or mahogany carpel are found
in our school.
The process in producing the activated carbon from mahogany is called
carbonization process without the presence of oxygen. It was powderized and
was activated for 12 hours by calamansi (Citrofortunella microcarpa) extract.
Then it was boiled down until there is no moisture left.
The results of our study shows that Mahogany fruit husks or mahogany carpel
is capable to become a substitute for Activated Carbon.

Introduction

Mahogany trees are fast growing Today, in this generation, even

trees that are commonly used in though activated carbons are known
making furniture or in any other to be effective, they are very costly.
construction materials. All over the This study aims to produce activated
Philippines, these trees have grown carbons that will be a lot of help to
abundantly, where in there are many factories and industries, even in our
carpels surrounding them. Carpels household to buy activated carbon
are described as hard wooden without spending a large sum of
materials and they are often money. This study will also help in
discarded by people. But what most reducing the thrown away materials
people do not know is that like mahogany carpels that are just
mahogany carpels can be an in our environment.
excellent substitute for activated In the past, we could still savor the
charcoals which is also known as freshness of the air and the sterility
activated carbons. We have known of water freely. But at present, due to
that activated carbons are used in many affecting factors like
purifying different substances. They urbanization, industrialization, and
are used in the food industry, in the climate change, doing so would
pharmacy industry, indoor air need to cost lots of money and may
decontamination, air purification and even cost your life. Because of
water purification. climate change, drinking and using
unpurified water may lead to having
numerous waterborne diseases like have the enough resources to do so.
diarrhea, leptospirosis, In order to help solve this problem,
amebiasis and many more. Many the researchers came up with a
accounts show that the most simpler and easier way of filtering
common diseases in the Philippines water, through the production of
are caused by dirty, unattended active carbon from (Swietenia
water. macrophylla) or mahogany carpels.
It also alters the idea of relying on
In the present climate, our waters dangerous facilities and water
had become impure and unsafe to supply. Since mahogany carpel is
drink if not carefully examined and biodegradable, it could also help in
processed. However, not everyone lessening the pollution in the
has the capability to pay. So some environment. This study can
people are left with no choice but to contribute in meeting economic
settle for unreliable sources of water demands by alleviating the health of
and unsafe tools in order to sustain the people and by coming up with a
their own demands, even if it may new, and affordable way of filtering
mean risking their health. The water.
researchers wanted to lessen the
load of the people, by developing a This study tries to answer the
cheaper and easy way of purifying following questions and/ statement:
water. So the researchers thought to 1.) Identify the amount of
use (Swietenia macrophylla) or Mahogany husks needed for
mahogany carpel as an activated carbonization.
carbon for filtering water. Because
not only could it be found 2.) Identify the amount of
everywhere easily on our Mahogany husks needed for
environment, but also it could be the effectiveness to happen.
decomposed since its
biodegradable. Through this study,
the researchers hope to help to help 3.) How much time would it take
improve the health, water demand for the effect carbonization to
and financial crisis of the people. happen?

4.) Can this study be a potential

In this day and age, even with the help in making the water
advancement of technology, many clean and purified?
people still don’t have access to
improved water sources and clean This study focuses on producing
water. Mainly because of the lack in active carbon only from mahogany
facilities and prevailing prices in the carpel. Where this said product can
market, many people are still filter any substance and can be used
struggling and are forced to settle for in many ways like treating food
unsafe water facilities and supply. poisining, making it as a beauty
This results to a higher risk in having mask and can also purify air. This
waterborne diseases and serious study is limited only on producing
health consequences. active carbon from the mahogany
This study is made to lend a hand to carpel and more specifically in using
those people with no access to activated carbon as a solution to the
clean, drinkable water and do not crisis of dirty water in rural areas.
Methodology:

The production of active carbon

from mahogany carpel undergoes
carbonization process and is
powderized. Then activating it by
either using lemon, bleach, or
calcium chloride. the produced
active carbon will be then tested to
see its effectiveness in filtering
water.

Gathering The Data

The gathering of data of mahogany Figure 1. Carbonization process

carpel from mahogany trees (non oxidation)
happened in our school ‘ Iligan City
East National High School ‘ located
at Sta. Filomena, Iligan City,
philippines. The researchers
weighed of mahogany carpel After the carbonization process the
using a weighing scale. The mahogany carpel turned into a
weighing scale was adjusted back to charcoal and was rested until it
zero after placing a container above cooled down. The cooled down
it.. mahogany carpel was then crushed
by a mortar and pestle. The
Production of Active carbon researchers measured about 150 g
of the charcoal powder and was then
To produce an active carbon from mixed with 250 ml of lemon juice
the mahogany carpel. The of until the mixture has like a runny
mahogany carpel was placed on a paste type of consistency. The
stainless pot that has still ventilation mixture was rested for 12 hours to
and was put on a open fire to begin activate the carbon then after 12
the first phase of producing active hours the mixture was then boiled for
carbon.This is a process in which the 30 minutes to remove the moisture
oxygen is absent in order to trap and then the finished product was
carbon which is called carbonization. cooled off.
Carbonization process traps carbon
in a container that has any type of
hardwood and is placed on a open The water will
fire to begin the heating process for pass through the active
3-5 hours. carbon that is produced
from mahogany carpel to
test the
of the active carbon.
Materials:
Results And Discussion