Preparation of Sulfur Impregnated Powdered Activated Carbon from Waste Tires : Pyrolysis and Activation

摘要

The treatment and disposal of waste tires has been one of the major issues in Taiwan as well as in many countries all over the world. Pyrolysis appears to be one of the most cost-effective measures for the treatment of waste tires. However, huge amounts of carbon black along with combustible gas and liquid oil are generated from the pyrolysis process. The objective of the investigation was to produce sulfur impregnated powdered activated carbon from waste-tire derived carbon black. Experimental tests were conducted by three steps : pyrolysis of waste tires, activation of carbon black, and sulfur impregnation of activated carbon. Several operating parameters investigated in the experimental tests included pyrolysis temperature, pyrolysis time, water feed rate, activation time, and sulfur impregnation content. Experimental results indicated that the specific surface area of carbon black increased, while average pore diameter decreased, as pyrolysis temperature and time increased. Results from the activation process showed that the specific surface area of activated carbon could be further increased up to approximately 996m~2/g by a water feed rate of 1 mg/gC-sec at 900°C activation temperature, which was compatible with commercial available powdered activated carbon applied for wastewater and flue gas treatment. Furthermore, results from column adsorption tests indicated that the adsorption capacity of mercury chloride was approximately 6% higher for the sulfur impregnated powdered activated carbon than the commercial available powdered activated carbon.