From pomegranate peels waste to one-step alkaline carbonate activated carbons. Prospect as sustainable adsorbent for the renewable energy production

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2021.107010
• Publication Date: 2021-12-15T20:40:45Z
• Authors: W. Saadi; S. Rodríguez-Sánchez; B. Ruiz; S. Najar-Souissi; A. Ouederni; E. Fuente
• Keywords: High pressure CO2 adsorption; Sustainable activated carbons; 13. Climate action; Biogas upgrading; Gas mixture separation; 02 engineering and technology; Valorization industrial pomegranate peels waste; 0210 nano-technology; 7. Clean energy; Single-step alkaline carbonate activation; 12. Responsible consumption

Green and Sustainable activated carbons were obtained by one-step alkaline chemical activation process using a food industry lignocellulosic waste (pomegranate peels) as precursor. A non-harmful activating agent (alkali carbonate) was used, more sustainable alternative to alkali hydroxides. The pomegranate peels-based present high carbon content (>94%), low ash (<0.5%) significant nitrogen (>1.0%); this last value is important because they can be highly effective CO2 adsorbents with the aim of improving biogas for renewable energy production. essentially microporous materials (micropore volume >82%), BET specific surface area up 1860 m2/g total pore 0.879 cm3/g. These very efficient retain at pressure an adsorption capacity similar or superior experimental commercial carbons. increased mainly increasing temperature, highest being 717 mg/g 3 MPa 25 °C. Ultramicropores in CH4 while large micropores small mesopores governed high-pressure sorption behavior. had negligible H2 which makes them useful separating gas mixtures order obtain pure H2.