Optimization and Characterization of Carbon black and Lye Production using Prosopis plant

No Thumbnail Available

Date

2016-06

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Addis Ababa University

Abstract

In Ethiopia, rangelands and farming areas within altitudes of 450 m to ~1000 m above sea level are being invaded by Prosopis Juliflora plant. Because of its abundance and government plan to eradicate through utilization, prosopis plant is used as an input for Carbon Black and Lye production. Carbon black is a black powder made by burning hydrocarbon in a limiting supply of air and it is used in the manufacture of automotive tires, color printing ink, painting etc. Lye is a liquid obtained by leaching ash and used in fertilizers, alkaline batteries, dyes etc. Hence the carbon black and lye production optimization, its yield characterization and determination is investigated, material and energy balance is calculated and its production feasibility is studied. Before the experiment, the prosopis plant is collected, dried and crushed in small size 10nm. The pyrolysis method is applied for CB production and optimum result is obtained at 500°c and 1hr whereas white ash is mixed with water and filtration method is applied, and optimum lye concentration with 14.50 pH value is obtained at a temperature 85°c for 24 hr. The feasibility study conducted for CB and Lye production using prosopis plant indicated that its cost effectiveness. The overall result of this study shown the highly invasion of prosopis plants in the country and worldwide guaranteed its abundance for small scale production.

Description

Keywords

Process Engineering

Citation