Sustainable Valorization of Food Waste into High-Performance Biochar for Supercapacitor Applications
College
College of Engineering & Technology (Batten)
Department
Civil and environment engineering
Graduate Program/Concentration
Civil and Environment Engineering
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Biochar, a carbon-rich material derived from the pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass such as food waste at moderate temperatures (400–600 °C), holds significant potential for sustainable energy applications. However, the complex nature of the feedstock often results in biochar containing metal impurities (e.g., iron and phosphorus) and limited surface area, which hinder its suitability for advanced applications like supercapacitors. This study proposes a novel integrated approach to address these challenges and optimize biochar production for high-value applications. The first phase of the research focuses on reducing metal impurities in biochar using ultrasound-assisted leaching (UAL) and supercritical CO2 treatment, with acetic acid as a reducing agent. This innovative technique aims to enhance the purity of biochar while minimizing environmental impact. Subsequently, the study explores advanced activation methods to increase the surface area of biochar, including chemical activation (KOH and ZnCl2). These methods will be systematically compared to identify the most effective approach for producing high-surface-area carbon suitable for supercapacitor applications. In parallel, the research will investigate the pyrolysis processes for converting food waste into biochar. Process simulation, optimization, and predictive modeling will be developed using machine learning algorithms trained on published data related to food waste conversion. The final phase of the study will involve scale-up studies, including techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA), to evaluate the economic viability and environmental impact of the proposed process. This will enable a deeper understanding of the reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and heat/mass transfer mechanisms involved in the process. By integrating advanced characterization techniques (XRD, TEM, SEM, TGA, XPS, FTIR, Raman, etc.), process optimization, and sustainability assessments, this research aims to provide a comprehensive framework for converting food waste into high-performance carbon materials for energy storage applications. The produced biochar will be validated for energy storage applications using techniques such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The findings of this study will contribute to the development of sustainable and scalable technologies for biomass valorization, addressing both environmental and energy challenges. Key results and insights will be presented at the conference, highlighting the potential of biochar as a promising material for supercapacitors and other advanced applications.
Keywords
Biochar, Food Waste Valorization, Ultrasound-Assisted Leaching (UAL), Supercritical CO2 Activation, Surface Area Enhancement, Supercapacitors, Pyrolysis, Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA), Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Machine Learning Optimization
Sustainable Valorization of Food Waste into High-Performance Biochar for Supercapacitor Applications
Biochar, a carbon-rich material derived from the pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass such as food waste at moderate temperatures (400–600 °C), holds significant potential for sustainable energy applications. However, the complex nature of the feedstock often results in biochar containing metal impurities (e.g., iron and phosphorus) and limited surface area, which hinder its suitability for advanced applications like supercapacitors. This study proposes a novel integrated approach to address these challenges and optimize biochar production for high-value applications. The first phase of the research focuses on reducing metal impurities in biochar using ultrasound-assisted leaching (UAL) and supercritical CO2 treatment, with acetic acid as a reducing agent. This innovative technique aims to enhance the purity of biochar while minimizing environmental impact. Subsequently, the study explores advanced activation methods to increase the surface area of biochar, including chemical activation (KOH and ZnCl2). These methods will be systematically compared to identify the most effective approach for producing high-surface-area carbon suitable for supercapacitor applications. In parallel, the research will investigate the pyrolysis processes for converting food waste into biochar. Process simulation, optimization, and predictive modeling will be developed using machine learning algorithms trained on published data related to food waste conversion. The final phase of the study will involve scale-up studies, including techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA), to evaluate the economic viability and environmental impact of the proposed process. This will enable a deeper understanding of the reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and heat/mass transfer mechanisms involved in the process. By integrating advanced characterization techniques (XRD, TEM, SEM, TGA, XPS, FTIR, Raman, etc.), process optimization, and sustainability assessments, this research aims to provide a comprehensive framework for converting food waste into high-performance carbon materials for energy storage applications. The produced biochar will be validated for energy storage applications using techniques such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The findings of this study will contribute to the development of sustainable and scalable technologies for biomass valorization, addressing both environmental and energy challenges. Key results and insights will be presented at the conference, highlighting the potential of biochar as a promising material for supercapacitors and other advanced applications.