9523794 Suuberg The objective of this project is to conduct fundamental research on a pyrolysis process that can be used to convert scrap tires into activated carbon. The research involves establishment of optimum temperature, pressure and gaseous environmental conditions that are necessary to produce carbon that has porosity characteristics that permit its use in adsorption processes such as devices to remove pollutants from water and air. Chars produced will be evaluated for their adsorption behavior relative to significant classes of adsorbates potentially present in water, wastewater and in gaseous products of combustion such as organic substances, nitrogen oxides and mercury. The results of the experimental work will be used in formulation of models that can be used in engineering design of processes for converting waste carbonaceous materials into "activated carbon," a useful form of carbon for removing pollutants from water, wastewater and gaseous products of combustion. The investigator plans to collaborate with personnel of Advanced Fuel Research, Inc., a firm that conducted research under NSF Grant No. 92-15045 on the feasibility of using discarded vehicle tires for producing marketable forms of carbon.
