Mexican researchers produce activated carbon from agave

Researchers

from the San Luis Potosí Institute for Scientific and Technological Research ( IPICYT ) obtained activated carbon from agave waste, which could help clean water, air, and fuel and generate a sustainable cleaning system.

It was possible to establish the most adequate parameters to produce activated carbon from agave bagasse , waste produced by the mezcal industry, which can be used to remove some organic and inorganic contaminants present in water.

The aim was to create a product with a high commercial value and to contribute to environmental protection.

The mezcal industry in San Luis Potosí produces more than 5,000 tons of agave bagasse per year, which can be used to obtain activated carbon, one of the most widely used materials worldwide, due to its low cost and efficiency.

According to the IPICYT , activated carbon, whose global production is at least 1.4 million tons per year, is used in the purification of water , wastewater treatment and gas emissions , catalysis , recovery of precious metals, removal of toxins and soil improver as a carbon deposit, among others.

The organic and inorganic waste produced by the industry should be treated properly, however, this is not always the case.

Researcher René Rangel Méndez

said they used agave bagasse, Salmiana , which is a lignocellulosic waste generated by the mezcal industry, to produce activated carbon.

Currently, most of this waste is incinerated, contributing greenhouse gas emission and the production of ash, which are pollutants . Activated carbon removes some organic and inorganic contaminants present in water.

Over 17,000 tons of agave bagasse are generated every year in the country and given that the carbon content of this product is 45%, and it's estimated this waste would generate over than 28,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year.

Therefore, the transformation of this residues into activated carbon would mean a long-term carbon reserve and would also decrease pollution .

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