Investigating the NS Power Biomass power plant biochar waste product as a value-added enhanced adsorbent material and catalyst support

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The biomass power generator at Point Tupper, NS, operated by Nova Scotia Power, generates biochar as a by-product from the fly ash waste stream. This biochar has properties similar to biocarbons generated from birch and other wood products, which all show enhanced adsorption properties for heavy metals in aqueous solutions. In collaboration with NS Power, we would like to investigate the potential for this biocarbon, which is generated in high quantities as a waste product, to be used as an adsorbent for heavy metals and other materials, and as a catalyst support. Unlike expensive highly activated carbon, biochar produced at lower temperatures retains diverse surface chemistry in the form of oxygen and nitrogen containing functional groups. These can reversibly and selectively interact with dissolved molecules through chemical bonds, which are much stronger than simple physical adsorption available to activated carbon. In addition to general characterization and adsorption testing, specific industrially relevant applications will be investigated related to aquaculture, stream and mine waste remediation, and catalysis for which the biochar is expected to convey significant improvements in terms of effectiveness and cost. Existing surface functionality will also be transformed with targeted applications in mind, e.g., selective metal chelation and catalytic species sequestration. Because the fly ash biochar is a waste product of an existing industry it provides an opportunity to convert a cost, waste disposal, into a revenue stream, value-added adsorbent, for Nova Scotia Power. The development of this product would be expandable to include other sources of incidental and purposefully synthesized biochar materials.