Carbon Supercapacitors from Bourbon Stillage (RPA Pilot / Seed Project)

Bourbon production in Kentucky has grown significantly, leading to challenges related to spent grain (stillage) management. For every barrel of bourbon, 6-10 barrels of stillage are generated. This research explores repurposing stillage into carbon materials for supercapacitors. Through hydrothermal carbonization, activation processes, and pyrolysis, activated and hard carbon materials are synthesized. Preliminary results demonstrate supercapacitors with promising energy and power densities, outperforming commercially available supercapacitors. This work aims to establish supercapacitors as a viable alternative for large-scale energy storage, providing a sustainable solution for whiskey and ethanol industries while fostering economic growth and innovation in Kentucky.