THE POTENTIAL OF ACTIVATED CARBON FROM PEAT SOIL AS AN ABSORBENT FOR HYDROCARBON (HC) AND CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) EMISSIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES

Abstract

This research aims to establish the effects of the length of the activated carbon-based medium on exhaust gas emission and evaluate the engine's corresponding performance. The method utilizes peat soil as the source of activated carbon. The soil is dried and then passed through a 30-mesh sieve. It is further heated to 400°C for an hour, soaked in a 25-percent H₂SO4 solution, and then maintained at 120°C in an oven. The resulting activated carbon is then packed into an absorbent tube with a diameter of 30 mm and a varying length of 60 mm, 70 mm, and 80 mm. The tube is appended to the leaving end of a Honda Supra 125 X's muffler. The result suggests that the lowest emission is achieved when the tube length is 80 mm and at 2000 rpm of engine speed, i.e., with CO level of 2.57 percent and HC of 228 ppm. On the other hand, the highest emission is given by the tube length of 60 mm, i.e., with an HC level of 1437 ppm. In conclusion, it shows that the tube length affects the absorbent ability in reducing emission, but it does not significantly affect the engine's performance.