Utilization of bagasse fly ash for the production of low-cost ammonia adsorbents in poultry farm

Abstract

NH₃ pollution is a significant problem in the poultry farming because excess NH₃ can negatively impact chicken health and stunt their growth. Therefore, this study investigated the low-cost production of bagasse fly ash (FA)-a byproduct of the sugar industry-as an NH₃ adsorbent. Hydrothermal carbonization and activation were applied to enhance NH₃ adsorption using FA. In the experiments, the adsorption capabilities were improved using industrial waste materials mixed with bamboo char or red mud. The experimental results indicate that bagasse FA mixed with bamboo hydrochar under 10 % loading achieved an NH₃ adsorption capacity of ∼ 1.02 mg-NH₃/g-adsorbent, or ∼ 55 % of that of the commercial adsorbent. To avoid secondary pollution and provide the spent absorbents with an added value, their use in CO₂ capture applications was evaluated. The results showed that the adsorbent had a 0.28 mmol-CO₂/g-adsorbent capacity.

Keywords: Adsorbent; Ammonia adsorption; Bagasse fly ash; CO(2) adsorption; Chicken manure.