Activated carbon from solid wastes using a pilot-scale batch flaming pyrolyser

Activated carbon has been prepared from solid wastes carbonised in a pilot-scale batch flaming pyrolyser. Wood furniture waste (chipboard and plywood), scrap tyres, urban sewage, and straw were selected as pollutant solid wastes for this study. Burn-off levels, porosity, and BET surface were determined. From furniture waste derived char, a highly microporous solid was obtained at 850 degreesC with a BET surface area of 855 m(2)/g. A medium surface area (431 m(2)/g) activated solid was obtained from Lyre derived char at 1000 degreesC. An FP-IR spectroscopic study of activated tyre and furniture derived chars showed different chemical structures and a higher water adsorption capacity for furniture derived solids than for those derived from tyres. The low cost flaming pyrolyser can produce, at pilot scale. chars suitable for activation from furniture wastes and tyres. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.