Preparation and characterization of sorbents from food waste

Abstract

Waste coffee was treated by pyrolysis in the conventional laboratory apparatus at 800°C. Afterwards, a mass balance of the final yields, gas chromatographic analysis and assessment of solid and liquid residues were done. The selected waste material was also subjected to microwave pyrolysis in terms of adsorbents preparation. The solid residues were further activated with potassium hydroxide. Final characterization of prepared sorbents was made by sorption of nitrogen at 77 K. Activated sorbents had much better sorption properties. The surface area according to Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) theory of activated material (from conventional pyrolysis) was measured 1794 m2·g−1.

Keywords

• activated carbon
• food waste
• pyrolysis