Towards the use of activated charcoal filters in waster treatment plants, with the charcoal being produced from waste produced in the treatment plant.
Lead Research Organisation:
Brunel University London
Department Name: Mech. Engineering, Aerospace & Civil Eng
Abstract
The Home Energy Recovery Unit (HERU) shows a lot of promise, especially in impoverished parts of the globe. 16% of the world's population are without electricity, many in remote rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia (Energy Access Database, 2017). These communities are often hard to reach so building power networks to them is difficult; energy is lost due to resistance in power lines so power lines may not be an ideal solution. 38% of the world's population use biomass fuel for cooking, often inefficiently in open fires/stoves, again mainly in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia (Biomass database, 2017). The HERU uses this waste to produce biochar, with smaller fractions of biogas and bio-oil which can be used as fuel for producing electricity. This means electricity is produced at the use point. Collecting the waste for use in the HERU may also increases sanitation levels.
Many areas with no access to electricity do not have access to clean drinking water. 783 million people do not have access to clean and safe water worldwide, with 319 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa without access to improved reliable drinking water sources (The Water Project, 2016). This is where this research will come in, the aim of this research is to assess and develop a use of the HERU to solve the clean water crisis, particularly in remote, rural areas. The way this will be achieved will be through using HERU to produce different chars. Potentially producing biochar at different temperatures; It has been found that char produced at greater temperatures in a gasifier is more effective in use as a filter when compared to char produced at lower temperatures (Aqueous Solutions, 2010). This research will aim to go further and assess how different types of waste used in the HERU effect the capability of the biochar to remove impurities from water in addition to producing char at different temperatures. Different types of waste assessed will include:
Meats.
Plant matter such as unused vegetables.
Potentially animal waste.
Plastics.
Leather.
Textiles.
Synthetic.
Natural.
Animal Manure.
Many areas with no access to electricity do not have access to clean drinking water. 783 million people do not have access to clean and safe water worldwide, with 319 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa without access to improved reliable drinking water sources (The Water Project, 2016). This is where this research will come in, the aim of this research is to assess and develop a use of the HERU to solve the clean water crisis, particularly in remote, rural areas. The way this will be achieved will be through using HERU to produce different chars. Potentially producing biochar at different temperatures; It has been found that char produced at greater temperatures in a gasifier is more effective in use as a filter when compared to char produced at lower temperatures (Aqueous Solutions, 2010). This research will aim to go further and assess how different types of waste used in the HERU effect the capability of the biochar to remove impurities from water in addition to producing char at different temperatures. Different types of waste assessed will include:
Meats.
Plant matter such as unused vegetables.
Potentially animal waste.
Plastics.
Leather.
Textiles.
Synthetic.
Natural.
Animal Manure.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509437/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2021 | |||
| 1956470 | Studentship | EP/N509437/1 | 01/10/2017 | 31/03/2021 | John Hoslett |
| EP/R512990/1 | 01/10/2018 | 30/09/2023 | |||
| 1956470 | Studentship | EP/R512990/1 | 01/10/2017 | 31/03/2021 | John Hoslett |
| Description | A heat pipe pyrolysis reactor operated between 250-300 degrees celsius, can produce a solid material called biochar from domestic waste that can be used as an adsorbent for the removal of pollution from water including dissolved metals, pesticides and drugs. The pyrolysis temperature between 250-300 degrees celsius results in the retention of some of the hydrogen and oxygen containing groups on the surface of the biochar material which can be beneficial to adsorption. In addition to this, the benefit of this low temperature pyrolysis is the gas and oils produced contain less toxic compounds such as poly-aromatic hydrocarbons and dioxins than oil and gas produced at high temperature. This material could be used in low income countries to produce potable water for a consumer. However, the heat pipe reactor may not be the best way of doing this considering it's technical complexity. Despite this, biochar adsorbent material could be produced by traditional pyrolysis processes which have been used for thousands of years, in these low income settings. The heat pipe pyrolysis reactor could potentially be used in high income countries to produce adsorbents for use in sustainable drainage systems, improving environmental water quality. |
| Exploitation Route | The heat pipe reactor utilised by this funding could be taken further and investigated for its use in producing adsorbent material for sustainable urban drainage systems. This could result in the capture of atmospheric carbon in biochar material, as well as reducing the pollution in surface waters. The gas and oil produced by the reactor could be used for the generation of electricity, with the biochar either used for the same purpose or as a domestic fuel. The biochar produced by this reactor could also be researched for its use as a filler in concrete, with some studies showing that biochar can improve the physical characteristics of concrete, for example potentially reducing water ingress. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Description | A prototype bucket filter was developed, making use of a biosand filter followed by a filter containing the adsorbent material produced in the heat pipe reactor. This was for the purpose of filtering surface water for use in a home in low income nations. The bucket only commenced lab testing recently (10th March 2020) so it is too early to say whether or not the filter can produce potable water. However, initial qualitative observations show a significant reduction in the suspended solids in the river water passed through the filter, clearly demonstrating the filters capability to remove parasitic organisms, as well as improve the visual quality of the water. |
| Description | Sustainable Energy and Environmental Protection Conference 2018 - Glasgow |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | A presentation was given on the removal of aqueous copper using biochar produced from heat pipe pyrolysis reactors. A number of questions arose regarding the material and how it can be used for water treatment. My own colleagues attending the conference reported that they better understood my subject area. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |