The Development of Green Carbons from Biomass Torrefaction: Activated Carbon

B. W. BioEnergy Inc. has developed and characterized three major carbon samples from a renewable, cost-efficient feedstock, the Alder and Willow trees. B.W. BioEnergy Inc. has identified the need for facile methods of activating Torrified Alder tree biomass and probing the potential application of these biomasses to adsorb various industrial pollutants in the aqueous phase including heavy metals (Pb, Hg, Cd and Cu) and organics (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) as a major research objective. The proposed collaborative project investigates the surface chemistry and porous structure of a series of chemically activated carbon from Alder and Willow wood prepared by mild oxidizing agents under mild conditions in the liquid phase. The adsorption of pure naphthalene and pyrene as well as several heavy metals (Iron, Copper and Lead) on the various activated carbons will be investigated.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Stephanie MacQuarrie

Student:

Khaled Omari

Partner:

B.W. BioEnergy Inc

Discipline:

Chemistry

Sector:

Alternative energy

University:

Cape Breton University