Journal: Energy Conversion and Management

Author: Dong-Wan Cho, Gihoon Kwon, Kwangsuk Yoon, Yiu Fai Tsang, Yong Sik Ok, Eilhann E. Kwon, Hocheol Song

Abstract: Pyrolysis of paper mill sludge (PMS) was conducted to produce syngas (H₂ and CO) and fabricate magnetic biochar (PMS biochar) for use as an adsorbent for As(V). The enhanced generation of CO was observed in the CO₂ atmosphere due to reactions triggered by CO₂. Particularly, the generation of syngas from pyrolysis of PMS in CO₂ (9.6 mol% at 720 °C) was superior to the cases of pyrolysis of acid-washed PMS (i.e., minerals-eliminated PMS) in CO₂ (2.9 mol% at 720 °C), which evidences catalytic effects attributed by Fe and Ca species contained in PMS. Based on the results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), pyrolysis of PMS in CO₂ led to the conversion of Fe species into magnetite (Fe₃O₄) solid phase that imparted the magnetic property to the biochar (saturation magnetization: 28.4 emu g⁻¹). The PMS biochar exhibited high As(V) adsorption capacity of 34.1 mg g⁻¹ in a given condition, which could be attributed to the great adsorption affinity of Fe₃O₄/CaCO₃ mixture toward As(V). The integrated approach for the utilization of PMS could satisfy growing demand for renewable energy and environmental sustainability.

Keywords:  Paper mill sludge, Pyrolysis, Carbon dioxide, Syngas, Biochar, Adsorption

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2017.04.095