Innovation Type - Method

Potential beneficiaries - Medical institutions, waste water treatment plants

WHY WE PROPOSE A NEW METHOD OF ACTIVE CARBON PRODUCTION?

The properties of active carbon are unlimited: active carbon can be used to obtain sorbents and gases, in the processes of waste water treatment, it can be used for decolorizing of liquids, in medicine, for detoxication of human organism.
Meanwhile in Moldova, hundreds of tones of wallnut shells, fruit pits and grape seeds are deposited as wastes or are burnt annually. That is why we propose a new technology of active carbon preparation using the local wastes. Moreover, the result of our invention ensures the reducing of carbon activation time, amounts of consumed orthophosphoric acid, while the liquid fraction can be used in various scopes, for instance as mineral fertilizer. Thus, any possibility of environmental pollution is prevented!
The process of active carbon production includes just several operations:
- Grinding of wallnut shells, fruit pits and grapes seeds;
- Separation of 2-4mm fraction and treatment with orthophosphoric acid;
- Activation at the temperature of 300-500°C during 2-4 hours;
- Neutralization with the solution of potassium/ammonium hydroxide;
- Separation of active carbon by centrifugation or vacuum filtration;
- Washing with demineralized water and drying at the temperature of 105-110°C.
The residual solutions containing the phosphates are collected for their subsequent using in agriculture as liquid mineral fertilizers.

ADVANTAGES

• Using of local wastes as non-traditional raw material
• Low investments and costs compared to the conventional process
• Reduced time of carbon activation
• Using of wastes from active carbon productin as mineral fertilizers
• Prevention of environment pollution!

Current stage of development - Available for demonstrations – field tests

Where was applied - Hospital „Sf. Treime”, University of Medicine and Pharmacology „N. Testemeteanu”

Desired collaboration - Partnership and investments