Comparative characterization of biochars produced at three selected pyrolysis temperatures from common woody and herbaceous waste streams
2019
Biochar, the product of biomass pyrolysis, has been explored as a soil amendment and
carbon capture vessel. Recent literature has aligned biochar as a novel sorbent for a
host of environmental contaminants. Through the variation of pyrolysis conditions,
biochars can be engineered to have qualities desirable in sorbents whilst maintaining
their agronomic benefits. This study focuses on identifying the effects that feedstock
type and process temperature have on biochar characteristics which may in turn
shed light on their potential environmental applications. Using this approach, six
biochars were created from two waste biomasses. The biochars exhibited wide ranges
of pH (5.611.1), surface area (16.2397.4 m2/g), electrical conductivity (192,826
mS/cm), fixed carbon (7297%), heavy metal and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs). Statistically significant trends (P <0:05) in biochar characteristics dependent
upon increasing pyrolysis temperature and feedstock type were identified. Arsenic
(>13 mg/kg), chromium (>93 mg/kg), copper (>143 mg/kg) and PAH (>6 mg/kg)
concentrations presented themselves as obstacles to land application in a small number
of biochars with respects to International Biochar Initiative (IBI) guidelines. However,
it was demonstrated that these could be eliminated through employing pyrolysis
processes which encompass higher temperatures (>500 C) and ensuring the use of
contaminant-free feedstocks. The variation in surface areas, carbonized fractions and
surface functional groups achieved suggest that using the correct feedstock and process,
biochar could be produced in Victoria (Australia) from common organic waste streams
to the ends of acting as a sorbent, soil enhancer, and a waste management strategy.
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