Thermo-catalytic carbonaceous adsorbent from waste biomass for water hardness removal
Low-cost carbonaceous adsorbent derived from agricultural waste (sugarcane bagasse, agro residues, plant leaves) using a self-sustaining thermo-catalytic process. Designed for selective removal of calcium and magnesium hardness from water without chemical activation, wastewater generation, or precipitates. Spent adsorbent can be repurposed as biofertilizer.
Overview
This solution offers a sustainable, low-cost adsorbent material for removing water hardness (calcium and magnesium ions) using carbonaceous materials produced from waste biomass such as sugarcane bagasse, agro residues, and plant leaves. Unlike conventional activated carbon adsorbents that rely on costly chemical activation, this approach uses a thermo-catalytic method that eliminates the need for expensive chemical agents. The process is self-sustaining, with energy demands met from the process itself, and the feedstock is readily available at no cost worldwide. After their useful life, spent adsorbents can be repurposed as biofertilizers, creating a circular end-of-life pathway and reducing overall waste.
Technical specifications
- Feedstock: Waste biomass including sugarcane bagasse, agro residues, and plant leaves
- Process: Thermo-catalytic reforming at 2 kg/hr demonstrated scale, producing high-surface-area carbonaceous materials, bio-oil, and combustible gases
- Material properties: Extremely small particle size, uniform pore distribution, and large specific surface area
- Performance: Improved physiochemical properties enable selective hardness removal without generating wastewater or precipitates
- Sustainability: No chemical activation agents required; process energy is self-supplied; spent adsorbent usable as biofertilizer
- Four planned work packages: synthesis and characterization, hardness removal testing, biofertilizer evaluation of spent adsorbent, and techno-economic and scale-up assessment
Technology readiness level
The technology has been demonstrated at a 2 kg/hr thermo-catalytic reforming scale, confirming the ability to produce high-surface-area carbonaceous materials, bio-oil, and combustible gases from waste sugarcane bagasse. Further validation is planned across four work packages covering synthesis optimization, water hardness removal testing, biofertilizer end-use evaluation, and techno-economic and scale-up studies to advance toward commercial readiness.
About The University of Queensland
The University of Queensland is a large, multi-campus public research university in Brisbane with a comprehensive academic and research profile. Industry partners engage through hospital-embedded laboratories and clinical sites, pilot testbeds, and field campuses across Queensland that enable prototyping, trials, and validation in real-world settings. Co-location with major health precincts and proximity to Brisbane’s innovation districts make collaboration and talent access straightforward, while on-campus incubation and professional education support workforce upskilling. Research is supported by competitive national funding from the Australian Research Council and the National Health and Medical Research Council, alongside state and industry investment. A dedicated technology transfer office and commercialization company manage IP, licensing, sponsored research agreements, and spin-out formation.
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