International Journal of Waste Resources

Abstract

Pyrolysis of Different Biomass Wastes for the Production of Biochar: Evaluation of Yield and Physiochemical Characteristics

Farooque Ahmed*, Mahmood Laghari, Moazam Ali, Liaquat Ali, Ali Raza and Azharuddin Chachar

Today, one of the biggest issues facing climate change is carbon emissions from biomass burning. However, if biomass can be converted into biochar through the pyrolysis process and stored in the ground, it will reduce carbon emissions from the atmosphere and allow carbon to be sequestered from the environment. It could be a sustainable solution to global challenges such as climate change, waste management, and soil improvement. This experiment was conducted for the preparation of biochar from different waste biomass, i.e., cow dung, poultry manure, municipal sewage sludge, and waste wood pieces, which were pyrolyzed in a slow pyrolysis reactor. The waste material was collected, then sun- and oven-dried before being placed in the reactor using an aluminum box. Afterwards, different biomass samples were subjected to slow pyrolysis at 600°C for one hour under limited oxygen conditions. After one hour, the reactor was opened, and the biochar was taken out of it and stored in airtight sample bags for testing. Results showed that different yields of biochar were obtained with different types of biomass materials. Municipal sewage sludge produced the highest biochar yield (66.23%), and Russian waste wood produced the lowest biochar yield (23.34%). The basic properties of the biochar, such as pH, EC, WHC, and ash content, also varied with the type of biomass used. Different biochars were alkaline in nature, with a maximum water holding capacity of 9.6 g/g in Aak (Calotropis gigantea) wood biochar. The biochars were also rich in some plant nutrients, with maximum N and P contents of 2.6% and 3.51%, respectively, in poultry manure biochar.

Published Date: 2023-08-15; Received Date: 2023-07-09