Classification, characterisation and industrial/technological valorisation of carbon ashes produced by pyro-gasification of wood biomass

The aim of this research project is the classification, characterisation and technological/industrial valorisation of carbon ashes produced by the CMD ECO 20 plant. CMD ECO 20 is a system designed by Costruzioni Motori Diesel (C.M.D.) for the combined production of electricity and heat by thermo-chemical decomposition or molecular dissociation of ligno-cellulosic waste at high temperature (from 600 to 1000 °C), and in complete absence or minimum quantities of oxygen (pyro-gasification). This emerging technology improves the efficient use of energy and reduces the environmental impact, by containing the consumption of primary energy and emission of the associated greenhouse gas. However, the CMD ECO 20 system produces carbon-based waste, in the form of ashes, the disposal of which constitutes an economic and environmental burden for the company. Therefore, innovative solutions, which allow the reuse of ashes in different fields, avoiding their disposal in landfill, are recommended in order to reduce the costs of the company and the environmental impact of ashes in landfill. In this scenario, this project aims to study and analyse innovative solutions for the classification and reuse of carbon ashes, such as the preparation of conductive inks for 3D printing of electrical circuits. The project specifically foresees the following activities: 1) Classification and characterisation (e.g. morphological, structural, dimensional and chemical analyses) of the carbon ashes produced by C.M.D. ECO 20, as a function of the biomass type and process parameters of the plant. 2) Treatment of the carbon ashes, i.e. development of an effective, repeatable and inexpensive method for washing, oxidising and reducing the ashes to produce suitable carbon fillers. 3) Preparation of composites (e.g. based on epoxy resin and ashes fillers, PEDOT:PSS and ashes fillers, collagen or cellulose and ashes fillers) by addition and mixing of treated ashes to commercial solutions, and their characterisation, including sample fabrication and printability evaluation towards final applications.