ACTIVATED HYDROCHAR FROM SUGARCANE RESIDUE AND ITS APPLICATION IN THE ADSORPTION OF GAS MIXTURES: ADSORPTION OF GASEOUS MIXTURES WITH ECOFRIENDLY MATERIALS

Sucro-energetic industries are very important for the Brazilian economy. The large production of ethanol and sugar generates a proportional amount of wastes, which are of great concern. Vinasse and sugar cane bagasse are biomasses that can be the raw material of hydrochars. Carbonaceous stuff, activated with KOH are promising adsorbents of greenhouse gases with CO2, N2 e CH4. Single isotherm experiments at 10 ºC, 30 ºC e 50 ºC at low pressures (up to 1 bar) were carried out. IAST model was applied and the selectivity parameter obtained. The activated hydrochar from vinasse and sugar cane is predominantly mesoporous with 1318 m2.g-1. The highest amount of flue gas adsorbed occurred 10 °C and 1 bar (3.11. mmol.g-1 for CO2, 0.83 mmol.g-1 for CH4 and 0.39 mmol.g-1 for N2. The CO2/N2 selectivity was estimated in 12.5 whereas 3.1 was observed for CO2/CH4 at the same temperature and pressure. According to the selectivity ratio the hydrochar from biomass of sugar cane industry may be successfully used for purification of flue gas or biogas.