Production of Activated Bio-Char from Sugarcane Bagasse and its Application in De-Colourising Sugar Melt

The sugar industry generates significant quantities of bagasse as a by-product. This bagasse has a potential to be converted as activated bio-char. At present, powdered or granular activated carbon is used in sugar refineries for the removal of colorants from sugar liquor and in general for treatment of industrial wastewater. Coal is a commercially used activated carbon, which is a limited non-renewable resource. There are different renewable resources such as sugarcane bagasse, almond nutshells, rice husk, rice straw, coconut shells, which can be used as alternatives. In this study bagasse, the by-product of sugar industry, was treated and converted into effective adsorbent using pyrolysis technology. The physical and chemical properties of the activated sample were analysed using standard methods. This bio-char was used as an adsorbent media to evaluate the effectiveness for percent colour removal from sugar liquors. Relative efficiency of de-colorization was compared with the commercial activated carbon and has been discussed herein.