Preparation of paper mill sludge-based granular activated carbon

Presented By:-Ashok Dhakad

Sch. No. 142117203Department of Chemical Engineering

MANIT, Bhopal

Paper mill sludge is a by–product composed of pulp residues and ash which are generated from pulping and paper making processes.

Paper mill sludge was utilized to prepare granular activated carbon filler for fluidized-bed bioreactor .

INTRODUCTION

First described used over 3500 years ago for medicinal purposes

In the 18th century, crude carbons made from blood, wood and animals were used for the purification of liquids.

Granular Activated Carbon with industrial level steam activation was developed as a consequence of WWI, for use in gas masks

History of Activated Carbon

Activated Carbon is a crude form of graphite and generic term used to describe a family of carbonaceous adsorbents possessing a highly crystalline form and extensively developed internal pore structure.

This unique structure of Activated Carbon produces a very large surface area.

1 lb. of Granular Activated Carbon produces a surface area of 125 acres (1 kg = 1,000,000 meters2; 1000 m2/g)

What is Activated Carbon?

Dewatered paper mill

sludge

Polyvinyl alcohol

steam

Raw Material

Paper sludge contains

Water

Small cellulose particles

Organic compound

Inorganic salts etc.

Process

The raw materials are first carbonized via a controlled heating process at “low” temperatures (200 - 300°C) in an oxygen-lean environment which keeps the material from burning. This process converts the raw material into a disordered carbon structure full of tiny pores.

Activation

The carbonized materials are then activated by steam (or chemical treatment). Steam activation is carried out at high temperatures (982°C) and the carbonized materials react with the steam to form carbon monoxide and hydrogen which exit as gases leaving behind a highly porous activated carbon material

Activation

Pore Structure

Activated carbon is used in gas purification, gold

purification, metal extraction, water purification, medicine,

sewage treatment, air filters in gas masks and many other

applications.

Applications of activated carbon

Element Paper sludge (%)

Carbon 39.52

hydrogen 4.53

0xygen 19.22

Nitrogen 0.5

Sulphur 0.11

Chlorine 0.2

Easy to prepare and handle Do not require tedious methods and

sophisticated techniques for characterization.

Can be stored under normal conditions. Easily recyclable of the carbon with high

reproducibility of the results.

Advantages

Bituminous Coal

Coconut Shells

Wood

Lignite Coal

Peat, Olive Pits, etc.

Other raw material also can produce AC

The results of this study show that it is feasible to prepare activated carbons with relatively high surface areas and pore volumes from paper sludge by direct chemical activation or steam activation and it reduce the environment pollution .

Conclusions

www.science.gov www.ncbi.nih.gov H. Marsh and F. rodriguez-reinosis, activated

carbon, oxford , 2006

References

Thank you!