Henry Nowicki, PACS president and senior scientist
Researchers at PACS - Activated Carbon Services reportedly developed a two-step process to transform bamboo from Africa into valuable specialty activated carbons. A laboratory sized rotary kiln was constructed to simulate commercial manufacturing, and testing Gravimetric Adsorption Energy Distribution (GAED) full characterization revealed its pore structure relative to benchmark commercial activated carbons. Different bamboo activation times produced a suite of activated carbon products.World demand for activated carbons is projected to rise 8.1% per year to 2.1 million metric tons in 2018, according to PACS. Less than 8% of commercial activated carbons presently are made from biomass materials. Coconut shell feedstock activated carbon is the largest biomass contributor.
The PACS bamboo transformation process involves two steps: baking increases the carbon level and reduces volatiles to make a char and steam activation produces pores or adsorption spaces and increases surface area. The process produces an activated carbon family with pore structures and other attributes suited for applications including food and beverage, power industry, drinking water, pharmaceutical and mining.
For more information, visit: www.pacslabs.com
