Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

Biogas is considered a renewable energy source, as it is generated by the composting and decaying of organic matter. It can also be a potent greenhouse gas if it is allowed to escape into the atmosphere. The number of commercial projects utilizing biogas to generate power is growing. Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) exists in biogas at concentrations of up to 0.5%. Even at low concentrations, it is toxic and corrosive. CHAR Technologies has a patented process, which produces biochar that removes H2S from biogas through adsorption filtration. CHAR Technologies supplies hydrogen sulfide removal to its customers who deal with biogas. The company's proprietary technology is the production of zero-waste sulfide-removing biochar trademarked as SulfaCHAR. While CHAR Technologies has customers using its biochar filtration systems to great effect, the company has a need to develop a pelletized version of its proprietary product. Pelletization of product is industry-standard when it comes to the production and distribution of bulk solids. In order for CHAR Technologies' biochar to be more marketable, it needs to be pelletized. This project will aim to produce the pelletized biochar with available and custom dies and experiment with various binders. Pelletization may change the properties of the biochar, therefore pilot-scale studies will be performed to determine changes to the surface chemistry of the pelletized biochar and the effective adsorptive gains or losses. Mechanical strength and integrity of the pellets is also a consideration, therefore part of the project will be devoted to exploring the addition of various binders, such as zeolites and molecular sieves, to the biochar prior to pelletization and the effects of binders on surface chemistry. Pilot-scale trials will be performed by an expert research team at Sheridan College, using Sheridan's Chemical Engineering Laboratories' gas adsorption unit, located at the Davis Campus in Brampton, Ontario.