Biochar from pyrolysis of biological sludge from wastewater treatment

• Published in: Energy reports 2020-02, Vol.6 (1), p.757-763
• Main Authors: Tarelho, L. A. C, Hauschild, T, Vilas-Boas, A. C. M, Silva, D. F. R, Matos, M. A. A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biochar; Biological sludge; Heating rate; Peak temperature; Pyrolysis
• ISSN: 2352-4847; 2352-4847
• DOI: 10.1016/j.egyr.2019.09.063

It was studied the production of biochar by pyrolysis of biological sludge from wastewater treatment in the pulp and paper industry. The pyrolysis process was conducted in bench-scale fixed-bed reactor using distinct operating conditions of heating rate (2, 10, 20 and 30 ºC/min) and peak temperature (300, 375, 450, 525, and 600 ºC). The biochar yield is in the range 0.40 to 0.73 kg/kg dry sludge, and decreases with increasing peak temperature and heating rate. The organic matter content of the biochar is in the range 55.9 to 75.3%wt. (dry basis). Both the temperature increase and the heating rate increase promote the decrease of biochar volatile matter content within values between 14.4 and 48.4%wt. (dry basis). The biochar ash content increases with peak temperature and heating rate, and it has values in the range 24.7 to 44.1%wt. (dry basis). The corresponding fixed carbon content is between 26.2 and 42.4%wt. (dry basis), and increases with an increase in the peak temperature. The carbon concentration in the biochar is in the range 42.8 to 47.0%wt. (dry basis). The biochar pH is in the range 6.9 to 11.2, and the electrical conductivity (EC) is in the range 2.2 to 5.0 mS/cm.