Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

High-grade activated carbon from pyrolytic biochar of Jatropha and Karanja oil seed cakes—Indian biodiesel industry wastes

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Most of the commercially available pyrolysis plants use fluidized bed technologies where bio-oil is the major product and the biochar produced is combusted for process heat. However, auger-based technologies are now gaining importance because of their small to medium scale of operation and decentralized nature where biochar is obtained as a by-product. One of the factors which may greatly influence the techno-economic viability of such decentralized plants is making high-grade carbon from pyrolytic biochar. In the present study, Jatropha and Karanja oil seed cake-based biochar is obtained as a by-product in a pilot-scale (20 kg/h) direct gas-fired auger pyrolysis process at 500 °C under fast pyrolysis conditions that is originally aimed at maximizing the bio-oil yield. The biochar has low surface area and porosity. To value add to this carbon, downstream physical and chemical activation are carried out in an externally heated laboratory-scale reactor. CO2 activation resulted in the formation of activated carbon with BET surface area up to ~ 200 m2/g with marginal improvement in porosity, while K2CO3 activation enhanced the surface area to as high as 2400 m2/g along with substantial enhancement of porosity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Siyasukh A, Maneeprom P, Larpkiattaworn S, Tonanon N, Tanthapanichakoon W, Tamon H, Charinpanitkul T (2008) Preparation of a carbon monolith with hierarchical porous structure by ultrasonic irradiation followed by carbonization, physical and chemical activation. Carbon 46:1309–1315

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Romero-Anaya AJ, Ouzzine M, Lillo-Rodenas MA, Linares-Solano A (2014) Spherical carbons: synthesis, characterization and activation processes. Carbon 68:296–307

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Rios RVRA, Martínez-Escandell M, Molina-Sabio M, Rodríguez-Reinoso F (2006) Carbon foam prepared by pyrolysis of olive stones under steam. Carbon 44:1448–1454

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Aworn A, Thiravetyan P, Nakbanpote W (2008) Preparation and characteristics of agricultural waste activated carbon by physical activation having micro- and mesopores. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 82:279–285

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Williams PT, Reed AR (2006) Development of activated carbon pore structure via physical and chemical activation of biomass fibre waste. Biomass Bioenergy 30:144–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Haber J (1991) International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, manual on catalyst characterization. Pure and Appl Chem 63:1227–1246

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Cordero DJ, Heras F, Alonso-Morales N, Gilarranz MA, Rodriguez JJ (2013) Porous structure and morphology of granular chars from flash and conventional pyrolysis of grape seeds. Biomass Bioenergy 54:123–132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Li W, Zhang LB, Peng JH, Li N, Zhu XY (2008) Preparation of high surface area activated carbons from tobacco stems with K2CO3 activation using microwave radiation. Industrial Crops Products 27:341–347

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Lua AC, Guo J (2000) Activated carbon prepared from oil palm stone by one-step CO2 activation for gaseous pollutant removal. Carbon 38:1089–1097

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Babel K, Janasiak D, Jurewicz K (2012) Electrochemical hydrogen storage in activated carbons with different pore structures derived from certain lignocellulose materials. Carbon 50:5017–5026

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Hayashi J, Horikawa T, Muroyama K, Gomes VG (2002) Activated carbon from chickpea husk by chemical activation with K2CO3: preparation and characterization. Microporous Mesoporous Mater 55:63–68

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Kula I, Ugurlu M, Karaoglu H, Celik A (2008) Adsorption of Cd(II) ions from aqueous solutions using activated carbon prepared from olive stone by ZnCl2 activation. Bioresour Technol 99:492–501

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Xin-hui D, Srinivasakannan C, Jin-hui P, Li-bo Z, Zheng-yong Z (2011) Comparison of activated carbon prepared from Jatropha hull by conventional heating and microwave heating. Biomass Bioenergy 35:3920–3926

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Adinata D, Wan Daud WMA, Aroua MK (2007) Preparation and characterization of activated carbon from palm shell by chemical activation with K2CO3. Bioresour Technol 98:145–149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Hayashi J, Kazehaya A, Muroyama K, Watkinson AP (2000) Preparation of activated carbon from lignin by chemical activation. Carbon 38:1873–1878

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Tay T, Ucar S, Karagoz S (2009) Preparation and characterization of activated carbon from waste biomass. J Hazard Mater 165:481–485

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Hayashi J, Horikawa T, Takeda I, Muroyama K, Nasir Ani F (2002) Preparing activated carbon from various nutshells by chemical activation with K2CO3. Carbon 40:2381–2386

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Hayashi J, Yamamoto N, Horikawa T, Muroyama K, Gomes VG (2005) Preparation and characterization of high-specific-surface-area activated carbons from K2CO3-treated waste polyurethane. J Colloid Interface Sci 281:437–443

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Lahijani P, Alimuddin Z, Rahman A, Mohammadi M (2013) Ash of palm empty fruit bunch as a natural catalyst for promoting the CO2 gasification reactivity of biomass char. Bioresour Technol 132:351–355

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Stratford JP, Hutchings TR, de Leij FA (2014) Intrinsic activation: the relationship between biomass inorganic content and porosity formation during pyrolysis. Bioresour Technol 159:104–111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Fierro V, Muñiz G, Basta AH, El-Saied H, Celzard A (2010) Rice straw as precursor of activated carbons: activation with ortho-phosphoric acid. J Hazard Mater 181:27–34

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Santhy K, Selvapathy P (2006) Removal of reactive dyes from wastewater by adsorption on coir pith activated carbon. Bioresour Technol 97:1329–1336

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Yang K, Peng J, Srinivasakannan C, Zhang L, Xia H, Duan X (2010) Preparation of high surface area activated carbon from coconut shells using microwave heating. Bioresour Technol 101:6163–6169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Plaza MG, Pevida C, Arias B, Fermoso J, Casal MD, Martin CF, Rubiera F, Pis JJ (2009) Development of low-cost biomass-based adsorbents for post combustion CO2 capture. Fuel 88:2442–2447

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Fathy NA, Girgis BS, Khalil LB, Farah JY (2010) Utilization of cotton stalks-biomass waste in the production of carbon adsorbents by KOH activation for removal of dye-contaminated water. Carbon Lett 11:224–234

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Ioannidou O, Zabaniotou A (2007) Agricultural residues as precursors for activated carbon production—a review. Renew Sust Energ Rev 11:1966–2005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Dieme MM, Villot A, Gerente C, Andres Y, Diop SN, Diawara CK (2016) Sustainable conversion of agriculture wastes into activated carbons: energy balance and arsenic removal from water. Environ Technol 3330:1–8

    Google Scholar 

  28. Foo KY, Hameed BH (2012) Preparation of activated carbon by microwave heating of langsat (Lansium domesticum) empty fruit bunch waste. Bioresour Technol 116:522–525

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Foo KY, Hameed BH (2011) Preparation and characterization of activated carbon from sunflower seed oil residue via microwave assisted K2CO3 activation. Bioresour Technol 102:9794–9799

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Angin D, Altintig E, Köse TE (2013) Influence of process parameters on the surface and chemical properties of activated carbon obtained from biochar by chemical activation. Bioresour Technol 148:542–549

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Arami-niya A, Mohd W, Wan A, Mjalli FS (2010) Using granular activated carbon prepared from oil palm shell by ZnCl2 and physical activation for methane adsorption. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 89:197–203

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Foo KY, Hameed BH (2013) Utilization of oil palm biodiesel solid residue as renewable sources for preparation of granular activated carbon by microwave induced KOH activation. Bioresour Technol 130:696–702

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Tongpoothorn W, Sriuttha M, Homchan P, Chanthai S, Ruangviriyachai C (2011) Preparation of activated carbon derived from Jatropha curcas fruit shell by simple thermo-chemical activation and characterization of their physico-chemical properties. Chem Eng Res Des 89:335–340

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Sricharoenchaikul V, Pechyen C, Aht-Ong D, Atong D (2008) Preparation and characterization of activated carbon from the pyrolysis of physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) waste. Energy and Fuels 22:31–37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Islam MS, Rouf MA, Fujimoto S, Minowa T (2012) Preparation and characterization of activated carbon from bio-diesel by-products (Jatropha seedcake) by steam activation. Bangladesh. J Sci Ind Res 47(3):257–264

    Google Scholar 

  36. Islam A, Sabar S, Benhouria A, Khanday WA, Asif M, Hameed BH (2017) Nanoporous activated carbon from Karanja (Pongamia pinnata) fruit hulls for methylene blue adsorption. Taiwan Inst Chem Eng 74:96–104

  37. Satyawali Y, Balakrishnan M (2007) Removal of color from biomethanated distillery spentwash by treatment with activated carbons. Bioresour Technol 98:2629–2635

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Thommes M, Kaneko K, Neimark AV, Olivier JP, Rodriguez-reinoso F, Rouquerol J, Sing KSW (2015) Physisorption of gases, with special reference to the evaluation of surface area and pore size distribution (IUPAC Technical Report,© IUPAC & De Gruyter). Pure Appl Chem 87(9–10):1051–1069

  39. William HM, Dawson EA, Barnes PA, Parkes GMB, Pears LA, Hindmarsh CJ (2009) A new low temperature approach to developing mesoporosity in metal-doped carbons for adsorption and catalysis. J Porous Mater 16:557–564

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Wu F, Tseng R, Juang R (2005) Comparisons of porous and adsorption properties of carbons activated by steam and KOH. J Colloid Interface Sci 283:49–56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Spiro CL, Mckee DVW, Kosky PG, Lamby EJ (1983) Catalytic CO2-gasification of graphite versus coal char. Fuel 62:180–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Lahijani P, Zainal ZA, Mohamed AR, Mohammadi M (2014) Microwave-enhanced CO2 gasification of oil palm shell char. Bioresour Technol 158:193–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Nabais JMV, Laginhas C, Carrott PJM, Carrott MMLR (2010) Thermal conversion of a novel biomass agricultural residue (vine shoots) into activated carbon using activation with CO2. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 87:8–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Lua AC, Lau FY, Gua J (2006) Influence of pyrolysis condition on pore development of oil-palm shell activated carbon. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 76:96–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Lua AC, Yang T, Gua J (2004) Effects of pyrolysis conditions on the properties of activated carbons prepared from pistachio-nut shells. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 72:279–287

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Marsh H, Reinoso F R (2006) Characterization of activated carbon. In: Marsh H, Reinoso FR. (Eds), Activated carbon. Elsevier Sci. Tech. Books, Great Britain, 143–242

  47. Gurten II, Ozmak M, Yagmur E, Aktas Z (2012) Preparation and characterisation of activated carbon from waste tea using K2CO3. Biomass Bioenergy 37:73–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the Department of Science and Technology, India and Australia–India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) for funding this research under the project titled “Integrated technologies for economically sustainable bio-based energy.”

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Energy and Environment, TERI University, 10 Institutional Area, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, -110070, India

    Sonal Garg

  2. The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI), Lodhi Road, IHC, New Delhi, -110003, India

    Piyali Das

Authors
  1. Sonal Garg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Piyali Das
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Piyali Das.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Garg, S., Das, P. High-grade activated carbon from pyrolytic biochar of Jatropha and Karanja oil seed cakes—Indian biodiesel industry wastes. Biomass Conv. Bioref. 8, 545–561 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-018-0308-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-018-0308-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation