Unburned Carbon from Bagasse Fly Ash to Produce Activated Carbon in a Single-Stage Chemical Process

Abstract

Bagasse ash waste is generated in sugar mills from the use of bagasse as a fuel. This waste frequently noticed, its way to landfilled places where it is disposed. The dumping of biomass wastes caused in numerous agricultural processes is usually an environmental problem as odour and pollutes the soil. Recycling these leftovers for the manufacturing of activated carbon, an adsorbent with numerous uses, including the removal of pollutants, was one option for such a problem. In this work, activated carbon was made from Bagasse ash using a chemical activation process at 800 °C. Fourier Transform-Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the sample. The functional groups are confirmed by FT-IR and the existence of hydrocarbons. The SEM and XRD studies show that the generated activated carbon has a low amount of inorganic elements when compared to the precursor. These experimental results suggested that Bagasse ash might be used as a starter in the activated carbon manufacturing method, making it a cost effective resource.