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Surface area measurement techniques, and scope of nutrient removal from greenhouse wastewater by improved activated carbon from tomato plant biomass

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  2022 ASABE Annual International Meeting  2200663.(doi:10.13031/aim.202200663)
Authors:   Abu-Taher Jamal-Uddin, Shakirudeen A. Salaudeen, Animesh Dutta, Richard G Zytner
Keywords:   Activated carbon, Characterization, Adsorption, Tomato plant biomass, Leached nutrient feed water.

Abstract. A noble approach was developed to resolve dual challenges facing Ontario greenhouses (GHs) in handling generated waste biomass and leached GH nutrient feed (GHF) wastewater. Activated carbon (AC) was produced from hydrochar (HC) of tomato plant biomass (TPB) and applied in treatment of GNF with a view to recycle and reuse both wastes. Activation was conducted at lower temperature (700 - 730 °C) and subsequently assessed for surface area by gas and liquid sorption techniques. Morphology evaluation by SEM-EDS revealed rough surface pores in the produced AC which did not support the surface area (263 m2/g) and pore volume (0.12 mL/g) measurement by N2 gas adsorption. Liquid media sorption methods using methylene blue technique provided a reasonable surface area and pore volume of 463 m2/g and 0.17 mL/g, respectively. Nutrients reduction from leached GNF by treating with generated AC was around 26-36 %, which is comparable to some commercial AC (CAC). Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Thermogravimetric analysis suggested further improvement opportunities by removing more volatiles (40-50%) and oxygen functionals (-OH, >C=O, --C-O-) from generated AC at temperatures higher than 730 °C. Conversion of waste TPB and treatment of GNF would support GHs in management of both the waste materials to comply with regulations. Implementation of results would not only provide economic gain from recycle and reuse (RRR) of wastes but also supports environmental sustainability.

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