CO2 capture and biomethane obtention using activated carbon filter of animal origin

Carbon fibers and activated carbon fibers are materials of high industrial interest. When presented as a felt, its use becomes easier and more practical. This work aims to study the conditions for obtaining and characterizing an activated carbon felt, using sheep wool as a precursor. The wool felt was oxidized, carbonized in nitrogen atmosphere and activated in water vapor. The working temperatures were selected through thermogravimetric analysis. The products and intermediates were characterized through thermogravimetric analysis, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and nitrogen adsorption-desorption. The products were assessed as potential sorbents for methane-carbon dioxide separation by adsorption kinetics measurements at different pressures. Results revealed a high influence of the carbonization temperature on the physicochemical and textural properties of the products. The adsorption kinetics and capacities of the gases showed that selectivities in separation were related to both felt carbonization temperature and gas pressure. This work revealed that activated carbon wool felts are a good alternative to synthetic fibers felt and they can be used for methane/carbon dioxide separation.