I produce carbonaceous materials via hydrothermal method. I'm using MSW as a feed stock. I want to test my product of hydrothermal whether the initial condition of experiments allow MSW to change into carbon materials or not. Therefore, the method I am looking for must be very simple and fast. Any suggestions?
Have you done a theoretical computation as to how much heat is going to be needed to do a rough conversion into the material/s? Is the MSW been sterilized? The sterilization will effect the amount of heat need and the possible products produced. If it is not sterilized and you let the microbes to do as they wish, then you may not get the product you are looking for. The reason for the additional clarifications is we have worked with MSW looking to produce high value industrial chemicals (successfully) and realized that if you need to sterilize the biomass, the economics of the process will not work.
Dear Mr.Calt;
Your comment impressed me, I haven’t yet thought about it. Anyway, my question is about how to analyze the final product of hydrothermal process in order to understand that final product change into the carbons materials or not.
Best regards,
Mahmoud
Dear Mr. Mazarji,
The reason for the question is based on the reality we faced in developing out technology. In order to be environmentally sustainable, the process must be economically sustainable. In the end the decision on the viability of a technology is tied to its economics.
The other issue as to the thermal question will influence the products and materials that can be extracted. With the substrate you are working with you should anticipate a portfolio of products. Many of these will be long chain carbon materials that have use as adhesives, lubricants, sealants, etc. The amount of heat, applicable pressure and temperature will change the product mix.
Best wishes,
Ed
X-Ray diffraction is rather rapid and low-cost for the characterisation of materials (if crystaline)
First, I would do elemental anaysis. Hydrothermal carbons are called "carbons", but not really are before being pyrolysed at much higher temperature, see my papers in my RG profile. Their carbon content can indeed be as low as 70%, which is not characteristic of a true carbon material, but should contain at least 90% of carbon. In these conditions, XRD will give only a diffusion background, no peaks.
Alain
This would be a recommendation from petroleum and coal geochemist. I dont know what is MSW, but any heat processed or pyrolyzed organic material show a similar change to coalification and the kerogen maturation during petroleum and gas generation. A microscopic technique to measure the vitrinite reflectance (commonly used in petroleum exploration and coal petrology) would be the cheapest way to evaluate the degree of change from very low grade to approach to graphite. Reflectance will go up to more than 10%, and the optical anisotropy will become larger. For the analytical method and further details, look for coal/petroleum geologist or geochemist in your country.
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