Investigation on thermal energy and activated carbon production from Furfural residue

The purpose of this study is the utilization of furfural residue for heating energy and activated carbon production. To evaluate the energy production of the residue, bulk density, melting point, and heating value were measured. Furthermore, moisture, ash, volatile compounds, fixed carbon, lignin, and elements were determined. Ash and volatile content average were measured at 15.4% and 68.9%, respectively. The bulk density average of the residue powder with 40-60 mesh was determined at 0.30 g/cm3. There are significant difference between lignin content and melting point of furfural residue with wood which were measured at 8.55% and 950 °C, respectively. Also, it was found major difference between the average sulfur content of the waste and other biomass that is important in terms of environmental pollution. Gross heating value directly was measured by calorimetric bomb to 18.2 MJ/kg that is nearly to wood. The activated carbon produced from pyrolysis of furfural residue was chemically activated with zinc chloride. The chemically activated carbons were characterized by measuring iodine of 547 mg/g, specific surface (BET) of 501 m2/g, and pore diameter of 5.41 nanometer. It seems that the obtained activated carbon is suitable for liquid absorption according to the pore size. According to the results obtained in this study, thermal energy production from furfural residue is not recommended due to environmental pollution, but it is suitable for activated carbon production that could be used in the water purification industry.