Reusable alginate-based hybrid granular activated carbon from sugarcane bagasse residues for secondary decolorization of clear liquor in sugar refining

To overcome limitations associated with powdered adsorbents in sugar refining and to support the valorization of sugar industry byproducts, alginate-based hybrid granular activated carbons (GACs) were developed by incorporating sugarcane bagasse-derived activated carbon (SCB-AC) and acid-leached sug...

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Main Authors: Pensiri Prachakittikul, Pimonpan Inthapat, Nakorn Worasuwannarak, Sutthira Sutthasupa, Suwanna Kitpati Boontanon, Atthapon Srifa, Wanida Koo-amornpattana, Paeka Klaitong, Weerawut Chaiwat
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:Results in Engineering
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025017359
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author Pensiri Prachakittikul
Pimonpan Inthapat
Nakorn Worasuwannarak
Sutthira Sutthasupa
Suwanna Kitpati Boontanon
Atthapon Srifa
Wanida Koo-amornpattana
Paeka Klaitong
Weerawut Chaiwat
author_facet Pensiri Prachakittikul
Pimonpan Inthapat
Nakorn Worasuwannarak
Sutthira Sutthasupa
Suwanna Kitpati Boontanon
Atthapon Srifa
Wanida Koo-amornpattana
Paeka Klaitong
Weerawut Chaiwat
author_sort Pensiri Prachakittikul
collection DOAJ
description To overcome limitations associated with powdered adsorbents in sugar refining and to support the valorization of sugar industry byproducts, alginate-based hybrid granular activated carbons (GACs) were developed by incorporating sugarcane bagasse-derived activated carbon (SCB-AC) and acid-leached sugarcane bagasse ash (L-SCBA) into calcium alginate hydrogels. Among the five formulations evaluated, the hybrid GAC with a 1:2 weight ratio of L-SCBA to SCB-AC (L-SCBA1:SCB-AC2) achieved a decolorization efficiency of approximately 63% in batch experiments using synthetic clear liquor (500 IU, pH 7), reducing the effluent color to 187 IU within the typical industrial target of 200 ± 50 IU. Although this formulation exhibited a relatively low BET surface area (282 m2/g), it outperformed a commercial hybrid GAC (MPS1:CPAC2). This was probably due to the presence of surface functional groups and its pH-responsive adsorption behavior. Regeneration with 40% ethanol under mild conditions preserved over 80% decolorization efficiency across four consecutive cycles, without observable granule deformation. Fixed-bed column in continuous experiments further confirmed that lower flow rates extended breakthrough time, while performance declined in actual clear liquor presumably due to diffusion limitations from inorganic impurities and increased viscosity. These results demonstrate the potential of SCB-based hybrid GACs as a promising, reusable, and scalable alternative to conventional powdered activated carbon for secondary decolorization of clear liquor in sugar refining, applicable in both batch and column modes.
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spelling doaj-art-469edb71a20445688fe24f04a8bf602e2025-08-20T03:21:55ZengElsevierResults in Engineering2590-12302025-09-012710566410.1016/j.rineng.2025.105664Reusable alginate-based hybrid granular activated carbon from sugarcane bagasse residues for secondary decolorization of clear liquor in sugar refiningPensiri Prachakittikul0Pimonpan Inthapat1Nakorn Worasuwannarak2Sutthira Sutthasupa3Suwanna Kitpati Boontanon4Atthapon Srifa5Wanida Koo-amornpattana6Paeka Klaitong7Weerawut Chaiwat8Division of Environmental Engineering and Disaster Management, Mahidol University, Kanchanaburi Campus, Kanchanaburi 71150, ThailandDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, ThailandThe Joint Graduate School of Energy and Environment, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok 10140, ThailandDivision of Packaging Technology, Faculty of Agro Industry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, ThailandDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, ThailandDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, ThailandDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, ThailandDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, ThailandDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand; Corresponding author.To overcome limitations associated with powdered adsorbents in sugar refining and to support the valorization of sugar industry byproducts, alginate-based hybrid granular activated carbons (GACs) were developed by incorporating sugarcane bagasse-derived activated carbon (SCB-AC) and acid-leached sugarcane bagasse ash (L-SCBA) into calcium alginate hydrogels. Among the five formulations evaluated, the hybrid GAC with a 1:2 weight ratio of L-SCBA to SCB-AC (L-SCBA1:SCB-AC2) achieved a decolorization efficiency of approximately 63% in batch experiments using synthetic clear liquor (500 IU, pH 7), reducing the effluent color to 187 IU within the typical industrial target of 200 ± 50 IU. Although this formulation exhibited a relatively low BET surface area (282 m2/g), it outperformed a commercial hybrid GAC (MPS1:CPAC2). This was probably due to the presence of surface functional groups and its pH-responsive adsorption behavior. Regeneration with 40% ethanol under mild conditions preserved over 80% decolorization efficiency across four consecutive cycles, without observable granule deformation. Fixed-bed column in continuous experiments further confirmed that lower flow rates extended breakthrough time, while performance declined in actual clear liquor presumably due to diffusion limitations from inorganic impurities and increased viscosity. These results demonstrate the potential of SCB-based hybrid GACs as a promising, reusable, and scalable alternative to conventional powdered activated carbon for secondary decolorization of clear liquor in sugar refining, applicable in both batch and column modes.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025017359AlginateHybrid granular activated carbonSugarcane bagasseDecolorizationClear liquor
spellingShingle Pensiri Prachakittikul
Pimonpan Inthapat
Nakorn Worasuwannarak
Sutthira Sutthasupa
Suwanna Kitpati Boontanon
Atthapon Srifa
Wanida Koo-amornpattana
Paeka Klaitong
Weerawut Chaiwat
Reusable alginate-based hybrid granular activated carbon from sugarcane bagasse residues for secondary decolorization of clear liquor in sugar refining
Results in Engineering
Alginate
Hybrid granular activated carbon
Sugarcane bagasse
Decolorization
Clear liquor
title Reusable alginate-based hybrid granular activated carbon from sugarcane bagasse residues for secondary decolorization of clear liquor in sugar refining
title_full Reusable alginate-based hybrid granular activated carbon from sugarcane bagasse residues for secondary decolorization of clear liquor in sugar refining
title_fullStr Reusable alginate-based hybrid granular activated carbon from sugarcane bagasse residues for secondary decolorization of clear liquor in sugar refining
title_full_unstemmed Reusable alginate-based hybrid granular activated carbon from sugarcane bagasse residues for secondary decolorization of clear liquor in sugar refining
title_short Reusable alginate-based hybrid granular activated carbon from sugarcane bagasse residues for secondary decolorization of clear liquor in sugar refining
title_sort reusable alginate based hybrid granular activated carbon from sugarcane bagasse residues for secondary decolorization of clear liquor in sugar refining
topic Alginate
Hybrid granular activated carbon
Sugarcane bagasse
Decolorization
Clear liquor
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025017359
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