physical activation. Chemical activation increases the
surface area, micropore and pore volume. Although
in physical activation, carbon dioxide agent is better than steam activation, activated carbon derived
from biomass with KOH chemical agent enhances
the mesoporosity which increases the carbon dioxide
adsorption capacity. The adsorbent was able to achieve
uptake of 8 mmol/g of carbon dioxide. The adsorption capacity of carbon dioxide is high at 0
◦ C than
at higher temperatures. The low flow rate of the gas
through the adsorption bed, such as 30 mL/min, results
in greater adsorption capacity compared to higher gas
flow rates. The use of high pressure of adsorption can
significantly increase the adsorption capacity. Activated biomass adsorbent activated with KOH at 30 bars
was able to achieve 14mmol/g carbon dioxide uptake.
Raw biochar has high adsorption capacity of hydrogen sulfide but poor uptake of carbon dioxide. The
uptake is determined by the substrate and surface modifications. Biochar adsorbents derived from rice hull
can adsorb 11 mmol/g of hydrogen sulfide. Modifications with alkaline chemicals and aniline compounds
can greatly enhance the uptake of carbon dioxide.
Biochar derived from sawdust and activated with MED
achieved 10.7 mmol/g of adsorption capacity of carbon dioxide. Hydrogen sulfide adsorption capacity
depends on the temperature and pH of the adsorption process. The use of low temperature and pressure
processes favors the adsorption capacity of biogas contaminants with biochar. However, there are limited
studies on the cost and the methane loss of biomass
adsorbents, this should be part of future investigations.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
EM is grateful to the World Bank and the InterUniversity Council of East Africa (IUCEA) for the
scholarship awarded to her through the Africa Center of Excellence II in Phytochemicals, Textiles, and
Renewable Energy (ACE II PTRE) at Moi University,
Kenya.
REFERENCES
Ahmed, M. B., Johir, M. A. H., Zhou, J. L., Ngo, H. H.,
Nghiem, L. D., Richardson, C., & Bryant, M. R. (2019).
Activated carbon preparation from biomass feedstock:
Clean production and carbon dioxide adsorption. J Clean
Prod. 225, 405–413.
Al Mamun, M. R., & Torii, S. (2015). Removal of hydrogen
sulfide (H 2 S) from biogas using zero-valent iron. J. Clean
Energy Technol. 3(6), 428–432.
Alonso-Vicario,A., Ochoa-Gómez, J. R., Gil-Río, S., GómezJiménez-Aberasturi, O., Ramírez-López, C.A.,TorrecillaSoria, J., & Domínguez, A. (2010). Purification and
upgrading of biogas by pressure swing adsorption on
synthetic and natural zeolites. Micropor Mesopor Mater.
134(1–3), 100–107.
Asadullah, M., Jahan, I., & Boshir, M. (2014). Preparation
of microporous activated carbon and its modification for
arsenic removal from water. J. Indu. Eng. Chem. 20(3),
887–896.
Bates, M. N., Garrett, N., & Shoemack, P. (2002). Investigation of Health Effects of Hydrogen Sulfide from
a Geothermal Source. Archiv. Environ. Health. 57(5),
405–411.
Bhatnagar, A., Sillanpää, M., & Witek-krowiak, A. (2015).
Agricultural waste peels as versatile biomass for water
purification – A review. Chem. Eng. J. 270, 244–271.
Boonpoke, A., Chiarakorn, S., Laosiripojana, N., Towprayoon, S., & Chidthaisong, A. (2011). Synthesis of Activated
Carbon and MCM-41 from Bagasse and Rice Husk and
their Carbon Dioxide Adsorption Capacity. J Sustain
Energy Environ. 2(2), 77–81.
Chen, C., Park, D. W., & Ahn, W. S. (2014). CO 2 capture
using zeolite 13X prepared from bentonite. Appl. Surf.
Sci. 292, 63–67.
Creamer, A. E., Gao, B., & Wang, S. (2016). Carbon dioxide capture using various metal oxyhydroxide-biochar
composites. Chem. Eng. J. 283, 826–832.
Creamer, A. E., Gao, B., & Zhang, M. (2014). Carbon dioxide
capture using biochar produced from sugarcane bagasse
and hickory wood. Chem. Eng. J. 11964, 105–132.
Deng, S., Wei, H., Chen, T., Wang, B., Huang, J., & Yu, G.
(2014). Superior CO 2 adsorption on pine nut shell-derived
activated carbons and the effective micropores at different
temperatures. Chem. Eng. J. 12097, 115–153.
Dias, J. M., Alvim-ferraz, M. C. M., Almeida, M. F., & Sa,
M. (2007). Waste materials for activated carbon preparation and its use in aqueous-phase treatment: A review. J.
Environ. Manage. 85, 833–846. 85.
Ding, S., & Liu, Y. (2020). Adsorption of CO 2 from flue gas
by novel seaweed-based KOH-activated porous biochars.
Fuel 260 (116382).
Dobele, G., Dizhbite, T., Gil, M. V, Volperts, A., & Centeno, T.
A. (2012). Production of nanoporous carbons from wood
processing wastes and their use in supercapacitors and
CO 2 capture. Biom. Bioenergy. 46, 145–154.
El-Hendawy, A. N. A., Samra, S. E., & Girgis, B. S.
(2001). Adsorption characteristics of activated carbons
obtained from corncobs. Colloid Sur A: Physicochem.
Eng. Aspects. 180(3), 209–221.
Ello, A. S., de Souza, L. K., Trokourey, A., & Jaroniec,
M. (2013). Coconut shell-based microporous carbons for
CO 2 capture. Micropor Mesopor Mater. 180, 280–283.
Ferella, F., Puca, A., Taglieri, G., Rossi, L., & Gallucci, K.
(2017). Separation of carbon dioxide for biogas upgrading
to biomethane. J. Clean Prod. (10039).
Sigot, L., Obis, M. F., Benbelkacem, H., Germain, P., &
Ducom, G. (2016). Comparing the performance of a 13X
zeolite and an impregnated activated carbon for H2S
removal from biogas to fuel an SOFC: Influence of water.
Int. J. Hydrogen Energy. 41(41), 18533–18541.
Girgis, B. S., Yunis, S. S., & Soliman, A. M. (2002). Characteristics of activated carbon from pea nut hulls in relation
to conditions of preparation. Mater. Lett. 57(1), 164–172.
Guo, J., Luo,Y., Lua, A. C., Chi, R. A., Chen,Y. L., Bao, X. T.,
& Xiang, S. X. (2007). Adsorption of hydrogen sulphide
(H 2 S) by activated carbons de rived from oil-palm shell.
Carbon 45(2), 330–336.
Heidari, A., Younesi, H., Rashidi, A., & Asghar, A. (2014).
Evaluation of CO 2 adsorption with eucalyptus wood based
activated carbon modified by ammonia solution through
heat treatment. Chem. Eng. J. 254, 503–513.
Hernandez, J. R., Capareda, S. C., & Ph, D. (2007). Activated
Carbon Production from Pyrolysis and Steam Activation
of Cotton Gin Trash. ASAE Annual Meeting (p. 1). Amer.
Society. Agri. Biol. Eng. 0300(07).
293
surface area, micropore and pore volume. Although
in physical activation, carbon dioxide agent is better than steam activation, activated carbon derived
from biomass with KOH chemical agent enhances
the mesoporosity which increases the carbon dioxide
adsorption capacity. The adsorbent was able to achieve
uptake of 8 mmol/g of carbon dioxide. The adsorption capacity of carbon dioxide is high at 0
◦ C than
at higher temperatures. The low flow rate of the gas
through the adsorption bed, such as 30 mL/min, results
in greater adsorption capacity compared to higher gas
flow rates. The use of high pressure of adsorption can
significantly increase the adsorption capacity. Activated biomass adsorbent activated with KOH at 30 bars
was able to achieve 14mmol/g carbon dioxide uptake.
Raw biochar has high adsorption capacity of hydrogen sulfide but poor uptake of carbon dioxide. The
uptake is determined by the substrate and surface modifications. Biochar adsorbents derived from rice hull
can adsorb 11 mmol/g of hydrogen sulfide. Modifications with alkaline chemicals and aniline compounds
can greatly enhance the uptake of carbon dioxide.
Biochar derived from sawdust and activated with MED
achieved 10.7 mmol/g of adsorption capacity of carbon dioxide. Hydrogen sulfide adsorption capacity
depends on the temperature and pH of the adsorption process. The use of low temperature and pressure
processes favors the adsorption capacity of biogas contaminants with biochar. However, there are limited
studies on the cost and the methane loss of biomass
adsorbents, this should be part of future investigations.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
EM is grateful to the World Bank and the InterUniversity Council of East Africa (IUCEA) for the
scholarship awarded to her through the Africa Center of Excellence II in Phytochemicals, Textiles, and
Renewable Energy (ACE II PTRE) at Moi University,
Kenya.
REFERENCES
Ahmed, M. B., Johir, M. A. H., Zhou, J. L., Ngo, H. H.,
Nghiem, L. D., Richardson, C., & Bryant, M. R. (2019).
Activated carbon preparation from biomass feedstock:
Clean production and carbon dioxide adsorption. J Clean
Prod. 225, 405–413.
Al Mamun, M. R., & Torii, S. (2015). Removal of hydrogen
sulfide (H 2 S) from biogas using zero-valent iron. J. Clean
Energy Technol. 3(6), 428–432.
Alonso-Vicario,A., Ochoa-Gómez, J. R., Gil-Río, S., GómezJiménez-Aberasturi, O., Ramírez-López, C.A.,TorrecillaSoria, J., & Domínguez, A. (2010). Purification and
upgrading of biogas by pressure swing adsorption on
synthetic and natural zeolites. Micropor Mesopor Mater.
134(1–3), 100–107.
Asadullah, M., Jahan, I., & Boshir, M. (2014). Preparation
of microporous activated carbon and its modification for
arsenic removal from water. J. Indu. Eng. Chem. 20(3),
887–896.
Bates, M. N., Garrett, N., & Shoemack, P. (2002). Investigation of Health Effects of Hydrogen Sulfide from
a Geothermal Source. Archiv. Environ. Health. 57(5),
405–411.
Bhatnagar, A., Sillanpää, M., & Witek-krowiak, A. (2015).
Agricultural waste peels as versatile biomass for water
purification – A review. Chem. Eng. J. 270, 244–271.
Boonpoke, A., Chiarakorn, S., Laosiripojana, N., Towprayoon, S., & Chidthaisong, A. (2011). Synthesis of Activated
Carbon and MCM-41 from Bagasse and Rice Husk and
their Carbon Dioxide Adsorption Capacity. J Sustain
Energy Environ. 2(2), 77–81.
Chen, C., Park, D. W., & Ahn, W. S. (2014). CO 2 capture
using zeolite 13X prepared from bentonite. Appl. Surf.
Sci. 292, 63–67.
Creamer, A. E., Gao, B., & Wang, S. (2016). Carbon dioxide capture using various metal oxyhydroxide-biochar
composites. Chem. Eng. J. 283, 826–832.
Creamer, A. E., Gao, B., & Zhang, M. (2014). Carbon dioxide
capture using biochar produced from sugarcane bagasse
and hickory wood. Chem. Eng. J. 11964, 105–132.
Deng, S., Wei, H., Chen, T., Wang, B., Huang, J., & Yu, G.
(2014). Superior CO 2 adsorption on pine nut shell-derived
activated carbons and the effective micropores at different
temperatures. Chem. Eng. J. 12097, 115–153.
Dias, J. M., Alvim-ferraz, M. C. M., Almeida, M. F., & Sa,
M. (2007). Waste materials for activated carbon preparation and its use in aqueous-phase treatment: A review. J.
Environ. Manage. 85, 833–846. 85.
Ding, S., & Liu, Y. (2020). Adsorption of CO 2 from flue gas
by novel seaweed-based KOH-activated porous biochars.
Fuel 260 (116382).
Dobele, G., Dizhbite, T., Gil, M. V, Volperts, A., & Centeno, T.
A. (2012). Production of nanoporous carbons from wood
processing wastes and their use in supercapacitors and
CO 2 capture. Biom. Bioenergy. 46, 145–154.
El-Hendawy, A. N. A., Samra, S. E., & Girgis, B. S.
(2001). Adsorption characteristics of activated carbons
obtained from corncobs. Colloid Sur A: Physicochem.
Eng. Aspects. 180(3), 209–221.
Ello, A. S., de Souza, L. K., Trokourey, A., & Jaroniec,
M. (2013). Coconut shell-based microporous carbons for
CO 2 capture. Micropor Mesopor Mater. 180, 280–283.
Ferella, F., Puca, A., Taglieri, G., Rossi, L., & Gallucci, K.
(2017). Separation of carbon dioxide for biogas upgrading
to biomethane. J. Clean Prod. (10039).
Sigot, L., Obis, M. F., Benbelkacem, H., Germain, P., &
Ducom, G. (2016). Comparing the performance of a 13X
zeolite and an impregnated activated carbon for H2S
removal from biogas to fuel an SOFC: Influence of water.
Int. J. Hydrogen Energy. 41(41), 18533–18541.
Girgis, B. S., Yunis, S. S., & Soliman, A. M. (2002). Characteristics of activated carbon from pea nut hulls in relation
to conditions of preparation. Mater. Lett. 57(1), 164–172.
Guo, J., Luo,Y., Lua, A. C., Chi, R. A., Chen,Y. L., Bao, X. T.,
& Xiang, S. X. (2007). Adsorption of hydrogen sulphide
(H 2 S) by activated carbons de rived from oil-palm shell.
Carbon 45(2), 330–336.
Heidari, A., Younesi, H., Rashidi, A., & Asghar, A. (2014).
Evaluation of CO 2 adsorption with eucalyptus wood based
activated carbon modified by ammonia solution through
heat treatment. Chem. Eng. J. 254, 503–513.
Hernandez, J. R., Capareda, S. C., & Ph, D. (2007). Activated
Carbon Production from Pyrolysis and Steam Activation
of Cotton Gin Trash. ASAE Annual Meeting (p. 1). Amer.
Society. Agri. Biol. Eng. 0300(07).
293