Activated carbon from renewable resources: Carbonization, activation and use
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius, room Ulappa, Talonpojankatu 2B, Kokkola
Topic of the dissertation
Activated carbon from renewable resources: Carbonization, activation and use
Doctoral candidate
Master of Science (Eng.) Davide Bergna
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Technology, Research Unit of Sustainable Chemistry
Subject of study
Applied chemistry
Opponent
Associate Professor Yohannes Kiros, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
Second opponent
- -
Custos
Professor Ulla Lassi, University of Oulu
Activated carbon from domestic raw materials
The dissertation deals with the production of technical grade activated carbon from biomass. The dissertation investigates the production of activated carbon by slow thermal carbonization followed by physical or chemical activation.
The use of activated carbon of technical quality is increasing. Activated carbon is already the most commonly used chemical in water and gas purification. It is not produced in Finland and therefore, Finland is dependent on the import.
Activated carbon from domestic raw materials could replace imported carbon made from coconut shells or coal-based activated carbon, which is mainly used as a purification chemical in industry. In addition, high-quality technical carbon can be used, for example, in catalytic applications and in electronics.
The main results of the thesis are the properties of the materials used in the carbonization and their effects on the quality of the carbon products. In this work, a method for the carbonization and activation was developed and, based on an experimental study, a model was developed to optimize the properties (yield, specific surface area, micro- and mesoporosity) of the activated carbons produced.
The work also demonstrated a significant difference between a one-step and two-step carbonization and activation process. The study also investigated the use of activated carbon in water purification. Some of the produced carbons have been used and tested as a catalyst support.
The use of activated carbon of technical quality is increasing. Activated carbon is already the most commonly used chemical in water and gas purification. It is not produced in Finland and therefore, Finland is dependent on the import.
Activated carbon from domestic raw materials could replace imported carbon made from coconut shells or coal-based activated carbon, which is mainly used as a purification chemical in industry. In addition, high-quality technical carbon can be used, for example, in catalytic applications and in electronics.
The main results of the thesis are the properties of the materials used in the carbonization and their effects on the quality of the carbon products. In this work, a method for the carbonization and activation was developed and, based on an experimental study, a model was developed to optimize the properties (yield, specific surface area, micro- and mesoporosity) of the activated carbons produced.
The work also demonstrated a significant difference between a one-step and two-step carbonization and activation process. The study also investigated the use of activated carbon in water purification. Some of the produced carbons have been used and tested as a catalyst support.
Last updated: 1.3.2023