Event Title
Use of Kenaf as an Adsorbent to Treat Wastewaters Generated by Pyrolysis of Biomass
Faculty Mentor
William E. Holmes, Emmanuel D. Revellame, Rafael Hernandez, Prashanth Buchireddy, Mark E. Zappi
Location
Orchestra Room, Angelle Hall
Start Date
12-4-2014 10:45 AM
End Date
12-4-2014 11:45 AM
Description
There are many chemical and physical processes available for the removal of organic compounds from waste waters. To enhance the sustainability, energy efficiency, and yield of biofuel production processes, it is desirable to recover and use these compounds using renewable raw materials. In this study, we have used a plant material, Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus), for adsorption of small molecular weight phenolic compounds and polyaromatic hydrocarbons generated during the pyrolysis of biomass and contained in the waste-water stream. Several pre-treatments of Kenaf were evaluated, ranging from simple water washing to ozone treatment or torrefaction. Torrefaction is gaining attention as an option to improve physical and chemical properties of biomass prior to pyrolysis or gasification. This process could also increase the surface area, porosity, and selectivity of biomass for adsorption applications. Kenaf was heated slowly in a reduced environment to a maximum temperature of approximately 200-300°C. This process can be considered a mild pyrolysis as it occurs at lower temperatures than a normal pyrolysis process. Torrefaction of Kenaf at a single treatment temperature of 270°C showed a 30% reduction in phenolic compounds and also showed a much higher affinity for higher molecular weight compounds then more volatile ones. The results of torrefaction of Kenaf are compared to other pre-treatments (e.g. ozonation and washing). Carbon black was used as a positive control, since it is a commercially established adsorption technology and can remove up to 98% of phenol from waste water. These comparisons are based on mass reduction of organics in the waste water. The resulting organic laden-Kenaf could be used within the pyrolysis process as an additional feedstock, resulting in a closed system for wastewater treatment and an enhanced yield of fuels from biomass. More experiments must be carried out at different temperatures to optimize the torrefaction process for adsorption of organic compounds.
Use of Kenaf as an Adsorbent to Treat Wastewaters Generated by Pyrolysis of Biomass
Orchestra Room, Angelle Hall
There are many chemical and physical processes available for the removal of organic compounds from waste waters. To enhance the sustainability, energy efficiency, and yield of biofuel production processes, it is desirable to recover and use these compounds using renewable raw materials. In this study, we have used a plant material, Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus), for adsorption of small molecular weight phenolic compounds and polyaromatic hydrocarbons generated during the pyrolysis of biomass and contained in the waste-water stream. Several pre-treatments of Kenaf were evaluated, ranging from simple water washing to ozone treatment or torrefaction. Torrefaction is gaining attention as an option to improve physical and chemical properties of biomass prior to pyrolysis or gasification. This process could also increase the surface area, porosity, and selectivity of biomass for adsorption applications. Kenaf was heated slowly in a reduced environment to a maximum temperature of approximately 200-300°C. This process can be considered a mild pyrolysis as it occurs at lower temperatures than a normal pyrolysis process. Torrefaction of Kenaf at a single treatment temperature of 270°C showed a 30% reduction in phenolic compounds and also showed a much higher affinity for higher molecular weight compounds then more volatile ones. The results of torrefaction of Kenaf are compared to other pre-treatments (e.g. ozonation and washing). Carbon black was used as a positive control, since it is a commercially established adsorption technology and can remove up to 98% of phenol from waste water. These comparisons are based on mass reduction of organics in the waste water. The resulting organic laden-Kenaf could be used within the pyrolysis process as an additional feedstock, resulting in a closed system for wastewater treatment and an enhanced yield of fuels from biomass. More experiments must be carried out at different temperatures to optimize the torrefaction process for adsorption of organic compounds.