Production of activated carbon by lithium activation and determination of hydrogen storage capacity

Abstract

The main reason for environmental problems is the ever-increasing demand for energy. Hydrogen in combustion products; does not have side effects such as the greenhouse effect, hole formation in the ozone layer, acid rain, or emission pollutants. Today, hydrogen is the most crucial alternative energy carrier, with the potential to replace fossil fuel mechanisms compared to other systems. In this study, two pyrolysed tree species (pine and beech) from various regions of Kastamonu Province were used as raw materials to store hydrogen. Nitric acid and Lithium chloride were used as activating agents, and their surface areas were compared by obtaining activated carbon at different temperatures. Hydrogen storage capacities were observed that the highest hydrogen adsorption occurs with activated carbon obtained from the activation of 1.39% (w/w) pine sawdust with LiOH at 900 °C at approximately 12 bar pressure. Hydrogen adsorption increased with increasing pressure. It is seen in studies that the amount of hydrogen stored at 77 K is much higher. For this reason, it is more advantageous to conduct investigations at low temperatures, such as cryogenic temperatures, rather than high ones.