Author
 |
Hall Iv, Wiley |
|
Walse, Spencer |
|
Submitted to: International Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 9/18/2012 Publication Date: 11/8/2012 Citation: Hall Iv, W.A., Walse, S.S. 2012. The use of agricultural by-products to capture methyl bromide following post-harvest fumigation. International Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions, November 6-8, 2012, San Diego, California. p. 39:1-2. Interpretive Summary: This work tested the technical feasibility of using almond shell, plum stones, peach stones, and walnut shells for the preparation of activated carbon that is used to trap methyl bromide (MB) vapors in ventilated air following post-harvest fumigations. The potential advantages of using these readily-available agricultural by-products as raw materials, as opposed the current practice of importing activated carbon made from coconut shells, include an increased cost-effectiveness of the method as well as value-added additional use. Technical Abstract: Activated carbons were prepared from plum and peach stone as well as almond and walnut shell and comparatively evaluated as sorbents to minimize the atmospheric emission of methyl bromide following postharvest fumigations. A variety of methods were used to make the activated carbons and each is described. Sorbent evaluation was conducted at the laboratory-scale, with the most effective methods tested at pilot-scale. The effect of scaling on several key experimental features is highlighted. In addition, several methods for the characterization of activated carbon were developed and are discussed as tools for predicting sorbent performance. |
