Murtala Musa Ahmed

Comparison on the characteristics of bio-based porous carbons by physical and novel chemical activation

There is significantly abundant portion of waste agricultural materials in the world serving as environmental challenge, however, they could be converted into useful value added products like activated carbon. Coconut shell based carbons were synthesized using physical activation by CO2 and chemical activation with potassium hydroxide and potassium acetate. The BET surface areas and pore volumes are 361m2/g and 0.19cm3/g for physical activation, 1353m2/g and 0.61cm3/g for activation with KOH and 622m2/g and 0.31cm3/g for potassium acetate activated carbon. From the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy analysis, hydroxyls, alkenes and carbonyl functional groups were identified with more prominence on the chemically activated porous carbons. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results showed occurrence of moisture pyrolysis at 105°C, the pyrolysis of hemicellulose and cellulose occurred at 160–390°C and lignin at (390-650°C). Carbonization at 700°C and 2hrs had highest yield of 32%. Physical activation yielded lower surface area with approximately 88% micropores. On the other hand, chemically activation yielded higher surface area with elevated mesopores. The porous carbons can be applied to salvage pollution challenges.

Optimization of preparation of microwave irradiated bio-based materials as porous carbons for VOCs removal using response surface methodology

Effluents from various industries release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the environment which causes serious environmental problems. Coconut shell based porous carbons (CSPC) were synthesized with potassium hydroxide as activating agent for adsorption of Benzene and Toluene. Central composite design (CCD) method under the response surface methodology (RSM) of the Design expert software version 7.1.6. was employed in the optimization of the preparation conditions of the porous carbons. The effects of three preparation variables (i.e. microwave power, irradiation time and KOH impregnation ratio) on Benzene and Toluene adsorption were studied. Based on the CCD, quadratic models were developed to correlate the preparation variables to the responses (Benzene and Toluene adsorption). The influence of process parameters on the properties of CSPC was examined using analysis of variance (ANOVA) to identify the significant parameters. The optimum condition was obtained at microwave power of 500W; irradiation time 4mins; and 1.5 KOH impregnation ratio, which resulted in 84% of Benzene and 85% of Toluene respectively at 95% yield.

Anticorrosion Performance of Zinc Ferrite Pigmented Lignin/Phenol Epoxy Novolac Resin Based Coating

Corrosion in most processing equipment has always been a key research area. It is an important threat that needs to be prevented and controlled. Application of epoxy-based coatings on the surfaces of metallic parts is among the preventive measures but it is toxic and expensive. In this work, the anticorrosion performance of zinc ferrite pigmented bio-based epoxy-novolac coatings was studied. Initially, bio-based novolac resins were prepared by condensation from the reaction between phenol, bio-oil phenolic fractions and formaldehyde in an acidic medium. The prepared novolac was later transformed to epoxide with epichlorohydrine and 30 percent sodium hydroxide solution. The final coating formulation was obtained by mixing the prepared epoxy with zinc ferrite (a nontoxic anticorrosion pigment) and solvent. Anticorrosion tests using the formulated coatings and two other conventional coatings for comparison were conducted by simulating actual field conditions in a closed autoclave loop system that used 3 percent sodium chloride and water medium. The results showed that the zinc ferrite pigmented bio-based formulated coatings are very efficient in protecting the substrates since they exhibit similar protection ability with the conventional ones. The prepared epoxy can be said to be an eco-friendly and cheap source of resin for coating formulation that will reduce production cost and negative environmental effects as compared to conventional materials

Sustainable Recycle Solid Waste to Synthetic Renewable Solid Energy

Renewable energy is a source of energy that can be recovered and recycled. The recyclable material is removed first before energy is recovered from the residual waste. In this study, the effect of pyrolysis temperature on the calorific value of sustainable materials and gas emission quality were carried out. Pyrolysis and non-pyrolysis processes were initially conducted before calorific value determination. Calorific values of the samples were measured by bomb calorimeter. The sample that contains the highest calorific value was chosen and compared with coal. Testing of the prepared samples was accomplished using combustion process. The characterizations of the samples were determined by TGA analysis, SEM, FTIR and elemental analysis. From the results obtained, it is observed that the calorific value of sustainable material depends on the number of hydrogen, carbon and thermal energy.

Enhancing Sustainable Recycle Solid Waste to Porous Activated Carbon for Methane Uptake

Potential agro wastes (i.e palm kernel shell and coconut shell) for producing low cost activated carbon (AC) was investigated. In this study, the activated carbon was produced by carbonization, chemical impregnation with KOH and microwave irradiation. The pyrolysis was carried out at 700 °C in an inert environment for 2 h. Microwave activation was carried out at 400W for 6 minutes. Characteristics of the material were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis and scanning electrode microscopy (SEM). Methane adsorption equilibrium data on the activated carbons produced were obtained using static volumetric method. Microwave palm shell activated carbon (MPAC) and microwave coconut shell activated carbon (MCAC) recorded highest methane uptake of 2.489 and 1.929 mmol/g at 3 bar, 30°C. The adsorption data were correlated with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The results shows that microwave activated carbon from palm shell and coconut shell have good methane adsorption characteristics.

Phenolic Rich Components Identification of Heavy Oil Fractions of Biomass Pyrolytic Oil for Epoxy Resin Binder

Identification and assessment of phenol and phenolic rich components of heavy oil fractions of biomass pyrolytic oil were conducted. The original bio-oil used for this study was derived from the pyrolysis of empty fruit bunch (EFB). It was separated into water soluble (light oil) and water insoluble (heavy oil) components by mixing it with water at 2:1 V/V ratio under ambient condition with vigorous stirring using centrifuge for 30mins. The raw bio-oil and the heavy oil fractions were later characterized using Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) and Gas chromatography-Mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) techniques in order to identify the function groups present and their compositions. The GC-MS results for the heavy oil indicated a high concentration of phenol and phenolic components, which was strongly supported by the presence of OH group (characteristic of phenol) from FTIR analysis. Utilization of bio-oil which was known to have a significant amount of phenol and phenolic rich components for phenolic, novolac or epoxy resin manufacture would significantly reduce the cost and negative environmental effects of the fossil-based resins.

Preparation of Epoxy-Novolac Resin Binder Using Phenolic Rich Fractions of Biomass Pyrolytic Oil as Partial Substitute of Phenol

Epoxy resins are among the basic components for coatings manufacture but because of their cost and environment effects, some environmental protection regulations have restricted the use of chemicals considered toxic. The potential of using phenolic rich fractions of bio-oil derived from the pyrolysis of a sustainable agricultural waste for epoxy resin synthesis was investigated. Epoxy resins with different concentration of water-insoluble heavy fraction were synthesized. The bio-oil, heavy fraction and prepared resins were later characterized using Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR), Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). FTIR and GC-MS results confirmed the presence of phenols on both the bio-oil and heavy fraction with heavy fraction having a higher concentration. DSC analysis showed a corresponding increase on curing time of the resins with increased quantity of phenolic rich components. FTIR analysis of the resin indicated high-ortho structure. Utilization of bio-oil as a source of phenol for epoxy resins manufacture would significantly reduce the cost and negative environmental effects of the current resins.

Corrosion Inhibition Study of Upgraded Bio-Oil Derived Empty Fruit Bunch Using Alumina

Bio-oil derived from the pyrolysis of a sustainable palm biomass has great potential as a suitable replacement to the conventional source of fuels and chemicals. However, the bio-oil produced is highly acidic and corrosive due to presence of acids that can leads to operational difficulties. As such, purification of the bio-oil for the targeted application as chemicals or fuel source needs to be conducted. This study is aimed at conducting further study on the isolation of insoluble fractions (heavy oil) of bio-oil and at the same time assesses the corrosiveness of the insoluble fractions and compare with that of raw bio-oil. This was done in order see whether the corrosive properties of the raw bio-oil are associated with these fractions or not. It was later upgraded using various ratio of zero valence aluminium metal as corrosion inhibitor. The raw bio-oil and the upgraded heavy oil fractions samples were characterized using various techniques. The results indicate significant improvement on the various properties tested on the side of upgraded heavy oil fractions than the raw bio-oil. Thus, realization of bio-oil quality for its subsequent application as fuel can significantly reduce operational difficulties in engines and other processing equipment.