PREPARATION OF GRAPHITE FROM BIO SOOT WASTE

A Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements

For the degree of

B. Tech
IN
AEROSPACE ENGINEERING
By
Sangeeta Panda

Registration No: 220301230011

Under the supervision of

Dr. SHRABAN KUMAR SAHOO

DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

CENTURION UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT

ODISHA, INDIA

MAY 2023
 Acknowledgement

I express my deep sense of gratitude to my guide and supervisor Dr. Shraban

Kumar Sahoo, Department of chemistry, CUTM for his valuable guidance,
motivation and full attention at all stages in my project work.

I wish to thank my group partners and other friends for their immense help and
valuable suggestions throughout my project work.

My heartfelt thanks to my family members, especially to my parents, my younger

brother, my loving sister and my friends for their love, affection, support and
encouragement.

Last but never the least; I greatly acknowledge Department of Chemistry,

Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha, India for providing
me infrastructure without which it was impossible to complete my project.

MAY 2023, Sangeeta Panda

Dr. Shraban Kumar Sahoo

M.Sc., Ph.D

Centurion University of Technology and Management

Odisha-752050, India

Certificate

This is to satisfy that the thesis entitled “Preparation of graphite from bio
soot waste” being submitted by Miss Sangeeta Panda (220301230011) for the
partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Bachelor of Technology at
the Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha India, is an
authentic work carried out by her under my supervision and guidance.

To the best of my knowledge, the matter embodied in the thesis has not been
submitted to any other University or Institute for the award of a degree or diploma.

Dr. Shraban Kumar Sahoo

 Contents
Chapter Page No.

1. Introduction 1-3

1.1. Bio-Soot 1

1.2. Sources of bio-soot 1

1.3 Composition of bio-soot 2

1.4 Toxic substances in bio-soot 2-3

1.5 Aim of the experiment 3

2. Experimental part 4

2.1. Materials 4

2.2. Extraction of graphite bio-soot 4

3. Schematic diagram of the experiment 5

4.Conclusion 6
PREPARATION OF GRAPHITE FROM BIO SOOT WASTE

Abstract
In this study, we have successfully synthesized graphite from automobile waste product
(i.e., biodiesel soot powder) by using extraction method. Here, 0.1 M HCl was used as
extraction agent. Bio-soot waste generally contains carbon part as well as lots of impurities
like dust, metal, and other compounds. In this extraction method, we have separated the
impurities and collect pure carbon part (i.e. Graphite). The production percentage of
graphite to bio-soot waste is 20 wt%. This extracted graphite powder can be used for
various applications including energy storage devices, automobiles and house hold.
1. Introduction
1.1. Bio-Soot:-
Bio-soot is a type of soot or black carbon that is produced from the incomplete
combustion of biomass, such as wood, charcoal, or agriculture waste. It is a fine particulate
matter that is released into the atmosphere when organic materials are burned without sufficient
oxygen.
Bio-soot can have negative impacts on human health, as it can penetrate deep into the
lungs and caused respiratory problems. It can also contribute to climate change by absorbing
sunlight and warming the atmosphere. However, some researchers are exploring ways to use bio-
soot as a source of carbon black, a material commonly used in the manufacturing of tries, inks,
and plastics, which could potentially reduce the environmental impact of these products.

1.2. Sources of bio-soot: -

• Wood burning: - The combustion of wood for heating, cooking, or other purposes can
release bio-soot into the atmosphere.
• Charcoal production: - Charcoal is produced by heating wood in the absence of oxygen,
which creates a carbon-rich material that can be used for fuel. However, the process of
making charcoal can also produce significant amounts of bio-soot.
• Agriculture waste burning: - The burning of agricultural waste, such as crop residues or
pruning debris, is a common practice in many parts of the world. However, this can
release large amounts of bio-soot into the air.
• Biomass combustion:- Biomass, such as plant matter or animal waste, can be burned to
generate energy. However, if the combustion is incomplete, it can produce bio-soot
• Cooking with solid fuels:- In many parts of the world, cooking is done with solid fuels
such as wood, charcoal, or agricultural waste. This can release bio-soot into the air and
contribute to indoor air pollution.
• Diesel combustion: -Bio-soot is the consequence of incomplete combustion in
diesel engines of huge automobiles like trucks. Bio-soot is obtained from the
exhaust of a diesel engine.
Overall, any process that involves the incomplete combustion of organic
materials can produce bio-soot.
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1.3. Composition of bio-soot: -

Bio-soot is composed primarily of carbon, but it also contains small amounts of other
elements and compounds. The exact composition of bio-soot can vary depending on the
type of biomass being burned and the conditions of combustion, but typical elements and
compounds found in bio-soot include:
• Carbon: - Carbon is the primary component of bio-soot, making up between 70-
90% of its mass.
• Hydrocarbons: - Bio-soot contains a variety of hydrocarbons, which are
compounds made up of hydrogen and carbon. These can include polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are known to be toxic and carcinogenic.
• Organic acid: - Bio-soot can also contain small amounts of inorganic compounds,
such as metal (e.g., iron, calcium, magnesium) and minerals (e.g., silica).

Overall, bio-soot is a complex mixture of organic and inorganic compounds, and

its composition can vary depending on the source of the biomass and the
conditions of combustion.

1.4. Toxic substances in bio-soot:

Bio-soot can contain a variety of toxic substances that can have negative impacts on
human health and the environment. Some of the most common toxic substances found in bio-
soot include:

• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): PAHs are a class of toxic and

carcinogenic compounds that are formed during the incomplete combustion of
organic materials. They can cause a range of health problems, including cancer,
respiratory issues, and developmental problems.
• Heavy metals: Bio-soot can contain trace amounts of heavy metals, such as lead,
mercury, and cadmium, which can be corrosive and cause respiratory problems.
• Fine particulate matter: Bio-soot is type of fine particulate matter (PM) that can
penetrate deep into the lungs and cause respiratory problems.

2
 • Carbon monoxide: Bio-soot can also release carbon monoxide, a toxic gas that can
be lethal in high concentrations.

Overall, exposure to bio-soot can have serious negative impacts on human health and
the environment. It is important to take steps to reduce bio-soot emission, such as using clean
burning technologies, properly disposing to organic waste, and promoting sustainable biomass
use.

1.5. Aim of the experiment: - The aim of the experiment of extracting graphite from bio-
soot through acidic treatment is to investigate the possibility of using bio-soot as a source of
carbon for the production of high-quality graphite. Graphite is a form of carbon that is widely
used in various industries, such as electronics, aerospace, and energy. Traditionally, graphite has
been produced from natural sources, such as graphite ore, but these sources are finite and often
expensive. By using bio-soot as a source of carbon, it may be possible to create a more
sustainable and cost-effective method of producing graphite, while also reducing the
environmental impact of the graphite industry.

3
2. Experimental part: -
2.1. Materials

Raw Bio-soot was obtained from bus engine pipes from CUTM university Bhubaneswar (BBSR)
terminal, Jatni, Odisha. The chemical Which is used for this experiment is HCl. We also use
distilled water during the course of experiments.

2.2. Extraction of graphite bio-soot: -

Bio-soot was collected by careful removal of upper layer exhaust material deposited on the
surface of bus engine pipes. The collected materials were a mixture of carbon particles, mud,
straw and dense oil leftovers.

Initially 3 g of Bio-soot was taken in a 250 mL beaker with distilled water. Then it was sonicated
for 3 h in an ultrasonication bath allowing the exfoliation of the agglomerated carbon particles
leading to its separation from the non-carbon waste content. After this the acid (0.1 M HCl) was
added and the entire mixture was allowed to settle down for 24 h. After 24 h, it was found that
the heavier dust, straw and other impurities were present on the surface and the graphite settled
down on the bottom of the beaker. The graphite in the bottom were separated. This graphite was
dried in an oven for 24 h. Finally, the dried Graphite were obtained, which weighed 0.5 g
approximately.

4
3. Schematic diagram of the experiment: -

(GRAPHITE STRUCTURE)

Fig. 1. Step wise preparation of graphite from bio-soot waste (From collection of bio-soot to
preparation of graphite).

5
4. Conclusion: -
In this study, we have successfully synthesized graphite from automobile waste product
(i.e., biodiesel soot powder). We used here the acidic treatment for extracting graphite. For
this synthesis we have used extraction method. In this method, 0.1M HCl is used for the
removal of impurities present in bio-soot waste. Lastly the graphite part collected by using
separation method. The production percentage of graphite to bio-soot waste is 20 wt%. This
extracted graphite powder can be used for various applications including energy storage
devices, automobiles and house hold.

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