Date of Award

2010

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Civil Engineering

First Advisor

Wang, Lijun Dr.

Abstract

The objective of this study is to produce activated carbon from fermentation and pyrolysis residues. It was found that both fermentation and pyrolysis residues are highly appropriate as precursors for activated carbon production because of their high carbon content and low ash content. The effects of activation temperature, activation time and phosphoric acid concentration on the yield and quality of activated carbon were investigated. Increased activation temperature, activation time and acid concentration have similar effect of decreasing the yield of activated carbon. Increased activation temperature and activation time decreases the BET surface area and pore volume of activated carbon while impregnating acids at too low and too high concentrations decreases the BET surface area and pore volume. The maximum BET surface area and pore volume were found to be 513 m2 /g and 0.302 cc/g, respectively, for the activated carbon produced from the fermentation residues impregnated with 20% phosphoric acid and subsequently activated at 450°C for 1 h. Under these conditions, the yield of activated carbon was 51%. Activated carbon produced from pyrolysis residues had a surface area above 800 m2 /g, which was higher than that produced from fermentation residues. Research on the Fe catalyst supported on activated carbon showed activated carbon produced from pyrolysis residues had better adsorption capability for Fe than that xv of fermentation residues. Catalysts developed on activated carbons from fermentation and pyrolysis residues are stable at 200°C for 2 h. Economic analysis shows that the cost of activated carbon produced from fermentation residues is lower than that of activated carbon from pyrolysis residues. Activated carbon can be more economically produced as the size of the facility is increased.

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