Project Number: 6435-41000-088-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Feb 11, 2005
End Date: Oct 28, 2009

Objective:
Research will be conducted on the conversion of agricultural residues, which include plant by-products and animal manures, 1) to develop activated carbons from poultry wastes, as adsorbents for inorganic contaminants such as metal ions and ammonia gas and 2) to develop strategies for the conversion of plant by-products to activated carbons and ion exchange resins that are specific for anionic pollutants.

Approach:
Low value, high volume agricultural plant and animal waste will be converted to higher value products, such as activated carbon and ion exchange resins, intended for the commercial marketplace. The products will be used in environmental applications to improve air and water quality across the United States. Cost-effective processes will be developed for each product and a series of assessments will be made on the feasibility of establishing product markets for future commercialization. Two CRADAs have been established, one with Grain Millers Inc, Eden Prairie, MN and another with Technology International Inc, LaPlace, LA to move forth the utilization of plant-based activated carbons. Additionally, agreements are in place with two universities, one in LA and the other in NC, to further the research and development of agricultural by-products burdensome to those states toward conversion to activated carbons and ion exchange resins. Collaboration is anticipated with additional companies to develop activated carbons from animal manures.