Removal of hydrogen sulfide from biogas using activated carbon synthesized from different locally available biomass wastes - a case study from Palestine

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to remove hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) from biogas by adsorption using synthesized activated carbon prepared using locally available biomass. The effect of the type of precursors, impregnation reagent and bed height was studied in continuous reactors. Three types of biomass wastes (almond shells, eucalyptus and coffee grains) were collected, grinded, sieved, pyrolyzed at 500°C and impregnated with chemical reagents such as potassium hydroxide or zinc chloride. Adsorption tests were performed using a fixed bed filter filled with the produced activated carbon. The highest biochar yield of 36% was obtained eucalyptus followed by almond shells (28.5%) and coffee grains (24%), respectively. The highest adsorption capacity and removal efficiency were obtained with eucalyptus followed by almond shells and coffee grains, respectively. For instance, eucalyptus showed an adsorption capacity of ~690 (mg hydrogen sulfide/g adsorbent) followed by almond (230 mg hydrogen sulfide/g adsorbent) and coffee grains (22 mg hydrogen sulfide/g adsorbent). As an impregnation reagent, potassium hydroxide gave the highest adsorption efficiency and capacity than zinc chloride. Furthermore, the breakthrough time with KOH (180 min) was higher than ZnCl 2 (70 min). Increasing the bed height during continuous breakthrough tests increased the adsorption capacity and hydrogen sulfide removal efficiency. The results of this study showed that the adsorption efficiency of the synthesized activated carbon and consequently the hydrogen sulfide removal efficiency could be fine-tuned by selecting an appropriate biomass precursor and proper impregnation reagent.

Energy Performance Analysis of B1-3.5mm Burner Model of Fasobio-15 Biodigester Biogas Cookstoves

“…The control of hydrogen sulphide is important because of its inhibiting effect on methanogenic bacteria and the diseases it causes after inhalation. These effects can appear from a level of concentration of hydrogen sulfide high around 2000 ppm [15]. Thus, our results in Fig.…”

“…Also, we note a high rate of 40% of carbon dioxide that can be recovered by other processes such as methanation [14]. Nevertheless, our results are below the 68% biogas produced from food scraps which are richer in carbon [15]. The results show an absence of oxygen.…”

Synthesis and Characterization of Activated Carbon from Waste Compedak Fruit (Artocarpus Champeden) Activated H3PO4 as Adsorbent of Methylene Blue

“…Some of the biomass waste can be utilized in the manufacture of activated carbon, such as coconut shells (Azevedo et al, 2007;Sawalha et al, 2020Sawalha et al, et al, 2020, corn cob waste (Aisiyah, 2016), fruit peels (Prahas et al, 2008;Musa, 2013), fruit seeds (Olivares-Marin et al, 2006), grain skins (Juwita et al, 2017). Activated carbon is usually produced from carbon-rich materials such as organic materials (lignin, wood, and coal).…”

Using the biochar produced from spend mushroom substrate to improve the environmental condition of aquaculture pond

“…Biochar produced from eucalyptus showed an adsorption capacity of ~690 mg hydrogen sulphide/g, followed by almond‐derived biochar (230 mg hydrogen sulphide/g) and coffee grain‐derived biochar (22 mg hydrogen sulphide/g). In addition, biochar treated with chemical reagent, such potassium hydroxide resulted in the increase of adsorption capacity (Sawalha et al, 2020). Biochar produced from agricultural or forestry wastes can effectively absorb hydrogen sulphide from odour gas (Shang et al, 2016).…”