Recycling technology of bamboo using potassium hydroxide

Abstract

The bamboo industry in Japan is declined, and disordered bamboo forests are increasing. Although maintenance of bamboo forest is needed, a large amount of bamboo wastes after logging is generated and left untreated. Therefore, new utilization of bamboo wastes after logging are desired. In this research, we aimed to develop a new recycling technology for bamboo using potassium hydroxide. By pyrolyzing bamboo using potassium hydroxide under an inert atmosphere, thermal decomposition of organic contents and alkali fusion of silica component inside the bamboo were carried out simultaneously to recover combustible gas, charcoal and silica component. The thermal decomposition behavior of bamboo, the properties of the obtained charcoal and extraction of silica in the presence of potassium hydroxide were investigated, and the optimum condition of bamboo recycling treatment was examined. As a result, it was found that when 1 g of bamboo was pyrolyzed at higher than 500 °C with 3 g of KOH, the almost silica was extracted, a large amount of fuel gas generated, and a carbonized material with specific surface area of about 1000 m2/g was obtained.