Papers Published Refreed Journals

ABSTRACTS
Dr. Yahia A. Alhamed
2000 to 2008

Paper Number 1
(2000)
A. A. A-zahrani and Yahia A. S. Alhamed , Oil Removal from Spent Bleaching clay by
Solvent Extraction, J. Environ. Sci. Health, Part A: Toxic/Hazardous Substances &
Enviromental Engineering, 35(9), 1577-1590 (2000).

ABSTRACT
Solvents screening experiments using a Soxhelt extractor were conducted to determine
the best solvents for oil removal from spent bleaching clay. The solvents extracted oil in
the following decreasing amount: methylethylketone > benzene-ethanol mixture (1:1 by
volume) > acetone > trichloroethylene = dichloromethane > chloroform > petroleum ether
> benzene > n-hexane > methanol. Four of the safest solvents, methylethylketone, acetone,
petroleum ether and n-Hexane were selected for further studies. Large scale treatment of
spent clay with the selected solvents were conducted in a batch stirred reactor. The effect
of solvent type, solvent to clay ratio (SCR), time of extraction and extent of mixing on the
percentage of oil extracted (POE) were investigated. The corresponding optimum
conditions for the four solvents were: extraction time time = 5 minutes, solvent to clay
ratio = 4 to 5, extraction temperature = 25 OC (room temperature) and mixing rate = 150 to
200 RPM. The bleaching efficiency (compaerd to to fresh clay) of the clay deoiled by
methylethylketone, acetone, petroleum ether and n-hexane were 77%, 65%, 51% and 27%,
respectively
Corresponding author; e-mail: yasalhamed@hotmail.com
 Paper Number 2
(2002)
Y. A. Alhamed, “Preparation and charactrerization of activated carbon from dates stones”,
The 6th Saudi Engineering Conference, King 14 – 17 December 2002, King Fahd
University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Proceedings, Volume 2,
Chemical engineering, p 441 – 450..

ABSTRACT
In this paper, the results of a laboratory scale study about the preparation of activated carbon
from dates' stones using the physical activation method are presented. The preparation method
entails the impregnation of the dried and crushed stones with an activating agent such as ZnCl 2
followed by carbonization at high temperatures. The effects of carbonization temperature (500 to
700 OC) carbonization time (0.5 to 3 hours) and, weight ratio of zinc chloride to dry stones (2:1,
1:1 and, 0.5:1) on the quality of activated carbon obtained were investigated to determine the
optimum operating conditions. The quality of the Activated Carbons (AC) produced was assessed
by their ability for methylene blue removal from aqueous solutions. Characteristics of selected
samples of the AC, such as specific surface area, solid density and phenol adsorption isotherm
were measured.
Based on methylene blue adsorption experiments and economical considerations, it was concluded that the optimum operating
conditions tested for production of activated carbon from date's stones are: carbonization time = 0.5 hour; temperature of carbonization =
600OC; and, zinc chloride to wood ratio = 2:1. In addition, it was found that carbons with specific surface area in excess of 1100 m 2/g
were obtained. Considering phenol adsorption, the study showed that the best conditions which produce carbons with good phenol
adsorption capacity are, carbonization temperature = 700 OC, carbonization time = 1.5 hours and R = 2:1. Compared to Commercial AC,
carbons prepared in this study were slightly inferior with respect to phenol adsorption. Nevertheless, it was shown that activated carbon
with good characteristics can be obtained from dates’ stone.
Key words: Activated carbon, activation, dates’ stones, phenol adsorption

‫ملخص‬
.‫في هذه الورقة نقدم نتائج بحث معملي لتحضير الكربون النشط من نوى التمر بإستخدام طريقه التنشيط الفيزيائي‬
‫وتشتمل طريقه التحضير على تحميل النوى المجفف والمجروش بعامل منشط مثل كلوريد الزنك ثم بعد ذلك يتم تفحيمه‬
‫لقد تم دراسة‬. ‫عند درجات حرارة مرتفعه ثم يتم إزالة العامل المنشط بواسطة األحماض مثل حمض الهيدروكلوريك‬
‫ ساعات ) ونسبة كلوريد الزنك إلى النوى‬3 ‫ إلى‬0‫و‬5( ‫ ) وزمن التفحيم‬5‫ م‬700 ‫ إلى‬5 00 ( ‫تأثير درجه الحراره‬
‫ ولقد تم‬. ‫) على نوعيه الكربون الناتج وذلك لتحديد الظروف المثلى لعمليه التصنيع‬1 :2 ، 1: 1 ، 1 :0‫و‬5( ‫المجفف‬
‫ كما تم تعيين خواص‬.‫ من المحاليل المائية‬K ‫تقييم نوعيه الكربون بناء اَ على مقدرته في إزالة صبغه أزرق المثيلين‬
‫الكربون ألخرى لبعض العينات المنتجة مثل المساحة السطحية وكثافة الكربون الصلب ومقدرته غلى أد مصاص‬
‫ وبناءا على قياس أد مصاص أزرق المثيلين فأنه وجد أن أفضل الظروف هي التفحيم لمدة نصف ساعة عند‬.‫الفينول‬
‫ باألضافه إلىذلك فقد ثم الحصول على‬.1: 2 ‫ واستخدام نسبه من كلوريد الزنك إلى النوى تبلغ‬5‫ م‬6 00 ‫درجه حرارة‬
‫ وعند األخذ باالعتبار عمليه ادمصاص الفينول فقد وجد‬.‫جم‬/ 2‫ م‬11 00 ‫عينات كربون ذات مساحة سطحيه أكثر من‬
:2 ‫ ولمده ساعة ونصف ونسبه كلوريد الزنك إلى النوى تبلغ‬5‫ م‬7 00 ‫أن أفضل الظروف هي درجه حرارة تفحيم تبلغ‬
.‫ وبالمقارنة مع الكربون النشط التجاري فأن الكربون المحضر في المختبر أظهر كفاءة أقل في أدمصاص الفينول‬1
.‫ولكن على األقل لقد تم إثبات أمكانية الحصول على كربون نشط بمزايا جيده من نوى التمر‬
 Paper Number 3
(2002)

Y. A. Alhamed, “Preparation and charactrerization of activated carbon from dates stones”,

The 6th Saudi Engineering Conference, King 14 – 17 December 2002, King Fahd
University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Proceedings, Volume 2,
Chemical engineering, p 461 – 472

ABSRACT
Regeneration of spent bleaching clay used in edible oil refining in Saudi Arabia was studied using
solvent extraction, boil-off method and calcination. The Solvent extraction method entails the
removal of the oil using solvents. The effect of the solvent type, solvent to clay ratio (SCR), and
extraction time on the percent of oil extracted (POE) and clay activity was investigated. The boil-
off method entails the removal of oil by treatment with a boiling aqueous solution of sodium
hydroxide under total reflux in the presence of NaCl. The effects of NaOH and NaCl
concentrations, water to clay ratio (WCR) and time of reaction on POE and clay activity was
investigated. Calcination entails the removal of the oil by heating at high temperatures. The effect of
calcination temperature and time was investigated. The spent clay regenerated using either of these
methods at optimum conditions was further activated by treatment with HCl or H 2SO4. The effect of
acid concentration and reaction time on clay activity was investigated.
It was found that calcination without acid treatment is sufficient to restore most of the clay activity.
Boil-off method produces a clay with very low activity and further acid treatment enabled complete
restoration of the activity of the clay. MEK was found to be the best solvent with respect to the
activity of the deoiled clay. Further treatment of the clay deoiled using MEK with acids restored
the activity of the clay.
Key Words: bleaching clay, regeneration, edible oils, calcination, acid treatment, solvent
extraction.

‫الملخص‬
‫ه‬JJ‫ه العربي‬JJ‫ام بالمملك‬JJ‫تم في هذا البحث دراسة أعاده تنشيط طينه التبيض المستهلكه والتي تم أستخدامها في تكرير زيوت الطع‬
‫يط عن‬JJ‫ه التنش‬JJ‫ذيبات تتم عملي‬JJ‫تخدام الم‬JJ‫ عند أس‬.‫السعوديه بأستخدام المذيبات والغليان في محلول قاعدي والمعالجه الحراريه‬
‫به‬JJ‫تخالص على نس‬JJ‫ذيب إلى الطينة وزمن االس‬JJ‫بة الم‬JJ‫ وقد تم دراسة تاثير نوع المذيب ؛ ونس‬.‫طريق أزاله الزيت من الطينه‬
‫ا في‬J‫تهلكه بغليه‬J‫ه المس‬J‫زيت من الطين‬J‫ة ال‬J‫ان أزال‬J‫ وتتضمن طريقه أعادة النشاطيه بالغلي‬.‫الزيت المستخلصه ونشاطية الطينه‬
‫د‬J‫وديوم وكلوري‬J‫يد الص‬J‫ل من هيدركس‬J‫يز ك‬J‫اثيرات ترك‬J‫محلول هيدروكسيد الصوديوم وكلوريد الصوديوم وقد تمت دراسة ت‬
.‫ترجعه‬JJJ‫ه المس‬JJJ‫اطية الطين‬JJJ‫ه ونش‬JJJ‫زيت المستخلص‬JJJ‫ه ال‬JJJ‫ان على كمي‬JJJ‫دة الغلي‬JJJ‫ه وم‬JJJ‫اء إلى الطين‬JJJ‫بة الم‬JJJ‫وديوم ونس‬JJJ‫الص‬
‫أما بأستخدام الطريقه الثالثة (المعالجه الحراريه) فيتم أعاده تنشيط الطينه بإزالة الزيت منها عند درجات حراره عاليه وقد‬
‫تمت دراسة تأثير درجات الحراره ومده التسخين على نشاطيه الطينة وفي كل من الحاالت ثم زيادة نشاطية الطينه التي تم‬
‫يز‬K K‫أثير ترك‬K K‫ة ت‬K K‫إزالة الزيت منها عند الظروف المثاليه بمعالجتها بحامض الكبريتيك أو الهيدرو كلوريك ولقد تم دراس‬
‫الحمض وزمن التفاعل على درجة نشاطية الطينة‬ .
‫ولقد وجد من هذه الدراسة أن المعالجه الحرايه كافيه الستعاذه معظم نشاطية الطينه بدون المعالجه باالحماض التي كان‬
‫ول على الطينه ذات‬K K‫دي ثم الحص‬KK‫ول قاع‬KK‫ وعند المعالجه بالغليان في محل‬.‫لها تأثير ضئيل في زيادة نشاطية الطينه‬
‫ نشاطية منخفضه وقد أستعاده كامل نشاطيتها بعد المعالجه باالحماض‬.
‫ون أفضل‬KK‫ على المذيب المستخدم وكان ميتيل ايثيل الكيت‬K ‫وفي حاله المعالجه بالمذيبات فقد وجد أن نشاطية الطينه تعتمد‬
‫اطيتها بعد المعالجه‬K K‫تعادت كامل نش‬K K‫أن الطينة اس‬K K‫ًاُ ب‬K ‫ علم‬.‫المذيبات بالنسبه لنشاطية الطينه التي تم الحصول عليها‬
‫االضافيه باالحماض‬.
 Paper Number 4
(2006)
Yahia A. Alhamed, Effect of Preparation Conditions on the Characteristics of Activated
Carbon Produced by ZnCl2 Activation. Alexandria Engineering Journal, Volume 45, No 6,
739 – 756, 2006.

ABSTRACT

The effect of preparation conditions (carbonization temperature (CT), carbonization

time (Ct) and, weight ratio of activator (ZnCl2) to dry stones (R)) on the structural and
adsorptive characteristics of activated carbon (AC) produced from Talh tree trunks (Acacia
Asak) was investigated. Adsorption data for methylene blue (MB) and benzene were fitted to a
Freundlich-type isotherm (X = k Cen). The unit capacity (k) and the heterogeneity factor (n) were
determined. The most influential factor was found to be R where high values of R produced
AC with abundant mesoporous structure especially at high CT and low Ct. A combination
of low R, high CT and large Ct produces AC with lower surface area most probably due to
pore widening which results from the collapse of the walls of the micropres. For benzene,
n did not change significantly with preparation conditions and its adsorption strongly
depended on the available surface area associated with meso and micropore volumes. For
MB, n changed with preparation conditions. This may indicate a change in the affinity
between MB and the carbon surface resulting from a change in the surface chemistry of the
carbon and/or a change in the pore size distribution with preparation conditions.

Key words: Activated carbon, Activation, Adsorption, Carbonization

‫الملخص العربي‬
‫د‬J‫ط (كلوري‬J‫بة المنش‬J‫ة و نس‬J‫ة و زمن الكربن‬J‫رارة الكربن‬J‫في هذا التقرير يتم أستعراض تاثير ظروف التحضير(درجة ح‬
‫ و في ضو‬.‫الزنك) الى النوى الجاف) على تركيب و خواص األدمصاص للكربون النشط المنتج من جذوع شجر الطلح‬
‫ ) و‬X = k Cen( ‫ و البنزين يمكن تمثيله بأستخدام معادلة فروندليتش‬J‫ ان أدمصاص أزرق الميثيلين‬J‫ءهذه الدراسة تبين‬
‫ؤثرة على‬JJ‫وام الم‬JJ‫د أن أهم الع‬JJ‫د وج‬JJ‫ وق‬.)n( ‫انس‬JJ‫دم التج‬JJ‫ل ع‬JJ‫) و معام‬k( ‫دة‬JJ‫عة الوح‬JJ‫تم استخدام هذه المعادلة لحساب س‬
‫ة من‬J‫بة عالي‬J‫تخدام نس‬JJ‫ظ أن أن إس‬J‫ حيث لوح‬.‫اف‬J‫وى الج‬J‫ك) الى الن‬J‫د الزن‬JJ‫ط (كلوري‬JJ‫بة المنش‬J‫خواص الكربون هي نس‬
‫المنشط بالنسبة الى نوى التمرالجاف ينتج عنه كربون يحتوي نسبة عالية من المسامات دون المجهرية و بالخصوص أذا‬
‫ع‬JJ‫ط م‬JJ‫ة من المنش‬JJ‫ كما وجد أن الجمع بين نسبة منخفض‬.‫تم التحضير عند درجات حرارة مرتفعة و أوقات كربنة قصيرة‬
‫ك‬JJ‫ل ذال‬JJ‫ون و يمكن تعلي‬J‫طحية للكرب‬J‫احة الس‬J‫اض المس‬J‫ؤدي الى إنخف‬J‫ل ي‬J‫ة طوي‬JJ‫ة وو قت كربن‬JJ‫رارة منخفض‬J‫درجات ح‬
‫يرا‬JJ‫ لم تتغير كث‬n ‫ و بالنسبة للبنزين فأن قيمة‬.‫بحصول أنهيار في جدران المسامات دون المجهرية و تكون مسامات أكبر‬
‫أن‬JJ‫رى ف‬JJ‫ة أخ‬JJ‫ ومن جه‬.‫مع ظروف التحضير و أعتمد أدمصاص البنزين بشكل رئيسي على المساحة السطحية المتوفرة‬
‫ون و‬JJ‫طح الكرب‬JJ‫اذب بين س‬JJ‫ة التج‬JJ‫ تتغير بشكل كبير مع ظروف التحضيرمما يعني تغير طبيع‬J‫ بالنسبة أزرق المثيلين‬n
‫أزرق المثيلين نتيجة لتغير كيمياء السطح للكربون أو تغير في توزيع حجم المسامات مع أختالف ظروف التحضير‬
 Paper Number 5
(2006)
Yahia A. Alhamed Activated Carbon from Dates' Stone by ZnCl 2 Activation, Journal of
King Abdulaziz University: Engineering Sciences, Volume 17, No 2, 75-98, 2006.

ABSTRACT
A study of the effect of preparation conditions on the yield and quality of activated carbon
(AC) produced from dates’ stones was made using zinc chloride as an activator. The
optimum conditions for AC production was evaluated based on the determination of
various adsorption parameters of methylene blue (MB) and phenol. Using MB as an
adsorbate it was found that the optimum ratio of activator to dates’ stones (R) is 2. The
maximum unit capacity for MB was 148 mg/g at carbonization time (Ct) = 1 hour and
carbonization temperature (CT) = 600 OC and the corresponding yield was 32%. Milder
conditions (Ct = 0.5 hr and CT = 500 OC) produced AC with maximum adsorption capacity
of 286.3 mg/g with a yield of 31%.
Using phenol as an adsorbate it was found that the optimum value of R = 0.5. The
maximum unit capacity for phenol was 19 mg/g at Ct = 3 hours and CT = 600 OC and AC
yield of 47.3%. On the other hand milder conditions (Ct = 0.5 hr and CT = 500 OC) were
required to produce AC with maximum capacity for phenol removal of 75.0 mg/g and AC
yield of 64.6%.
KEYWORDS: Activated carbon, phenol adsorption, activation, dates’ stones, dates’ pits

‫ر‬J‫وى التم‬J‫ط المنتج من ن‬J‫ة الفحم النش‬J‫ردود و وعي‬J‫ تم في هذا البحث دراسة تأثير ظروف التحضير على م‬.‫المستخلص‬
‫امالت‬JJ‫د مع‬JJ‫اءا على تحدي‬JJ‫ط بن‬JJ‫اج الفحم النش‬JJ‫روف المثلى إلنت‬JJ‫ الظ‬J‫د‬JJ‫د تم تحدي‬JJ‫ وق‬.‫ط‬JJ‫ك كمنش‬JJ‫د الزن‬JJ‫تخدام كلوري‬JJ‫باس‬
‫األمتزازالمختلفة ألزرق الميثيل و الفينول وعند استخدام أزرق الميثيل كمادة ممتزة وجد أن أفضل نسبة من المنشط إلى‬
‫رام من الفحم‬JJ‫مجم أزرق الميثيل لكل ج‬148( ‫ وتم الحصول على أعلىقيمة لسعة الوحدة ألزرق الميثيل‬.2 ‫نوى التمر هي‬
.%32 ‫روف‬J‫ذه الظ‬J‫ردود في ه‬J‫ان الم‬J‫ وك‬0‫ م‬600 ‫ة‬J‫رارة كربن‬J‫النشط) عند زمن تفحيم مقداره ساعة واحدة و درجة ح‬
‫اعدت على‬J‫ ) س‬0‫ م‬500 = ‫ة‬JJ‫رارة كربن‬J‫ ساعة و درجة ح‬0.5 = ‫ومن الناحية األخرى فإن ظروفا ً أقل حدة (زمن كربنة‬
.%31 ‫ مجم أزرق الميثيل لكل جم من الفحم النشط بمردود مقداره‬286.3 ‫انتاج فحم نشط بسعة قصوى مقدارها‬
‫ول على أعلى‬JJ‫ وتم الحص‬.0.5 ‫ر هي‬JJ‫وعند استخدام الفينول كمادة ممتزة وجد أن أفضل قيمة لنسبة المنشط الى نوى التم‬
‫رارة‬JJ‫ة ح‬JJ‫اعات و درج‬JJ‫ س‬3 = ‫ة‬JJ‫د زمن كربن‬JJ‫ط) عن‬JJ‫رام من الفحم النش‬JJ‫ مجم فينول لكل ج‬19( ‫قيمة لسعة الوحدة للفينول‬
0.5 = ‫ة‬JJ‫دة (زمن كربن‬JJ‫ ومن ناحية أخرى فإن ظروفا ً أقل ح‬.%47.3 ‫ وكان المردود في هذه الظروف‬0‫ م‬600 = ‫تفحيم‬
‫ مجم فينول لكل جم‬75.0 ‫ ) ساعدت على أنتاج فحم نشط بسعة قصوى مقدارها‬0‫ م‬500 = ‫ساعة و درجة حرارة كربنة‬
.%64.6 ‫من الفحم النشط بمردود مقداره‬
 Paper Number 6
(2007)
S. A. Nosier, Y. A. Alhamed, and H. A. Alturaif, Enhancement of copper cementation
using ceramic suspended solids under single phase flow, Separation and purification
technology, 52, 454-460 (2007).

Abstract
Rate of Cu++ removal from waste solution by cementation on zinc rod was studied under
single phase flow. Suspended ceramic particles were used to enhance the rate of
cementation of Cu++. The cementations process was studied under different conditions of
superficial liquid velocities and different ratios of suspended solid to liquid (X). It was
found that the rate of Cu++ removal increases with increasing superficial liquid velocity
and increase in liquid to solid ratio. The dependence of cementation rate on both
superficial liquid velocity and the concentration of ceramic suspended solids confirmed
that the diffusion controlled nature of the reaction. Mass transfer study of the process has
revealed that the data can be represented by the following equation:
J = 2.76Re−0.5211X0.5233
where 761 < Re < 1726, 0.0087 < X < 0.0218 and Sc = 1526.

Keywords: Wastewater; Cementation; Copper removal; Mass transfer; Single phase flow;
Suspended solids
 Paper Number 7
(2007)
S. A. Nosier, Y. A. Alhamed, A. A. Bakry, and I. S. Mansour, Forced Convection Solid-
Liquid Mass Transfer at a Surface of Tube Bundles under Single Phase Flow Chem.
Biochem. Eng. Q. 21 (3) 213–218 (2007).

Solid-liquid mass transfer characteristics of in-line tube bank were investigated by

measuring the rate of diffusion-controlled dissolution of copper surface in dichromate
solution. Variables studied were the number of rows in the tube bank, physical properties
of the solution, and flow rate of the solution. The data were correlated for the conditions:
937 < Sc < 1300, 173 < Re < 385, 1 < N < 5, by the equation

Sh = 2.68 Re0.465 Sc 0.33 N–0.35 + 35.35.

The addition of Polyox WSR 301 as a drag reducing agent leads to a decrease in the
mass transfer coefficient, which ranged from 49 to 83 % depending on the mass fraction
of the polymer, number of tube bundles and the liquid flow rates.
 Paper Number 8
(2007)
Y. A. Alhamed, Phenol removal using granular activated carbon from dates’ stones,
Bulgarian Chemical Communications, accepted fro publication, 2007

ABSTRACT
Granular activated carbon (GAC) was produced from dates’ stones (DS) by
chemical activation method using ZnCl2 as activator. The effects of preparation conditions
[Carbonization temperature (CT) = 500, 600 and 700 OC), carbonization time (Ct) = 1 and
3 hours) and R the ratio of activator to dry dates’ stones = 0.5 or 2] on the structural
properties, yield, particle size distribution, and phenol removal ability of the produced
GAC was explored. Phenol adsorption data for GACs prepared at different conditions were
fitted to Freundlich and Langmuir equations. The structural characteristics of the produced
GACs were determined from nitrogen adsorption isotherms measured at its boiling point.
The results of this study had shown that a GAC with surface area as high as 1215
2
m /g can be obtained using DS as a raw material. Mainly microporous GAC is obtained
using R = 0.5 while mesoporous GAC is obtained using R = 2 regardless of carbonization
time and temperature. Fruendlich equation fitted the adsorption data of phenol on GAC
better than Langmuir equation in the range of the concentrations investigated. Maximum
adsorption capacity of 103 mg/g was obtained at optimum conditions of: CT = 700 OC, Ct
= 3 hours and R = 0.5.
The GAC yield varied between 39 to 45.8%. The yield gradually decreased with
increasing carbonization time and carbonization temperature. At R = 0.5, the particle size
distribution of the produced GAC was similar to the original dates’ particles, while for R =
2, a considerable amount of fines (less than 0.3 mm) are obtained.
Laboratory scale packed bed adsorption experiments have shown an increase in
breakthrough and saturation times with increasing bed height, decreasing the flow rate (at
given bed height) however resulted not only in increase of breakthrough time but also in
the broadening of the breakthrough curve, thus indicating that pore diffusion could be the
controlling mechanism.
 Paper Number 9
(2008)
Y. A. Alhamed, Phenol removal using granular activated carbon from date’s stones by
H3PO4 activation, Jpurnal of Environmental Protection an decology, accepted for
publication, Vol 9, 2008

ABSTRACT
Granular activated carbon (GAC) was produced from dates’ stones (DS) by
chemical activation using H3PO4 as activator. The effects of preparation conditions
[Carbonization temperature (CT) = 500, 600 and 700oC, carbonization time (Ct) = 1 and 3
hours and R the ratio of activator to dry dates’ stones = 0.5 and 2] on the yield, particle size
distribution, and phenol removal ability of the produced GAC was explored. A better
fitting of the phenol adsorption data was achieved using the Freundlich isotherm equation
compared to Langmuir adsorption equation.
The optimum conditions selected based on phenol adsorption are: CT = 600 oC, Ct =
3hr and R = 0.5 with maximum adsorption capacity of phenol = 75.32 mg/g. The yield of
GAC under these conditions was 49.1% with 80% of the produced GAC particles are
between 1.2 to 2.18 mm.
Laboratory scale packed bed adsorption experiments could be very well fitted using
a dispersed plug flow model especially for the combination of low flow rate and long bed
models. Under different conditions, however, deviations from this model were observed at
longer operating times where pore diffusion seems to be the controlling mechanism.

Paper Number 10
(2008)
Ahmed Arafat and Yahia Alhamed,Catalytic activity of mesoporous catalysts in Freide;-
Crafts Benzylation of benzene.Journal of Porous materials, Accepted: 26 June 2008.

Abstract Different samples of metal-incorporated MCM-41 were prepared and used as

catalysts in Friedel–Craft’s benzylation of benzene. The catalytic performance was
evaluated by off-line GC analysis. Fe-MCM-41 exhibited excellent activity, the sample
with Si/Fe ratio = 10 showed 90% conversion with 95% selectivity towards
diphenylmethane within a few minutes. Generally, the activity per Fe-site was an order of
magnitude higher for the samples containing a combination of Fe2O3 nano-particles and
isolated Fe3+ sites. A synergy of two catalytic centers (particles and isolated sites) is
proposed to explain the high performance of the highly loaded samples. The catalytic
performance of Fe-MCM-41 was superior to other metalcontaining MCM-41 (e.g. Ga, Sn,
and Ti) catalysts, or other Fe-containing mesoporous materials (e.g. Fe-HMS).
Keywords Mesoporous _ Fe-MCM-41 _ Friedel–Crafts _Benzylation _ Catalysis
 Paper Number 11
(2008)
Yahia A. Alhamed and Hisham S. Bamufleh, Sulfur removal from model diesel fuel
using granular activated carbon from dates’ stones activated by ZnCl2, Fuel 88 (2009)
87–94.
Samples of granular activated carbon (GAC) were produced from dates’ stones by
chemical activation using ZnCl2 as an activator. Textural characteristics of GAC were
determined by nitrogen adsorption at 77 K along with application of BET equation
(Brunauer, Emmett and Teller) for determination of surface area. Pore size distribution and
pore volumes were computed from N2 adsorption data by applying the nonlinear density
function theory (NLDFT). FT-IR spectra of GAC samples were also obtained to determine
the functional groups present on the surface. GAC samples were used in desulfurization of
a model diesel fuel composed of n-C10H34 and dibenzothiophene (DBT) as sulfur
containing compound. More than 86% of DBT is adsorbed in the first 3 h which gradually
increases to 92.6% in 48 h and no more sulfur is removed thereafter. The adsorption data
were fitted to both Freundlich and Langmuir equations to estimate the adsorption
parameters. The optimum operating conditions for GAC preparation based on high
adsorption capacity are Tcarb = 700 _C, hcarb = 3.0 h and R = 0.5. Moreover, the
efficiency of sulfur removal by GAC is reduced when applied to commercial diesel fuel.
Finally, linear regression of experimental data was able to predict the critical pore diameter
for DBT adsorption (0.8 nm) and validating the reported impact of average pore diameter
of activated carbon on the adsorption capacity.