Fabrication of biochars obtained from valorization of biowaste and evaluation of its physicochemical properties

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2017-10, Vol.242, p.324-328
• Main Authors: Narzari, Rumi, Bordoloi, Neonjyoti, Sarma, Banashree, Gogoi, Lina, Gogoi, Nirmali, Borkotoki, Bikram, Kataki, Rupam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biochar; Biomass; Bioreactors; C-sequestration potential; Charcoal; Pyrolysis; Recalcitrance; Soil; Temperature; Water holding capacity
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.04.050

[Display omitted] •Production temperature influence biochar characteristic.•High energy, pH and inorganic nutrient in biochar produced at high temperature.•High recalcitrance and CEC in biochar produced at higher temperature.•Biochar produced at low temperature are highly hydrophobic in nature. This study investigated the yields and the physicochemical properties of biochar from three different feedstocks viz., i) bioenergy byproducts (deoiled cakes of Jatropha carcus and Pongamia glabra), ii) lignocellulose biomass (Jatropha carcus seed cover), and iii) a noxious weed (Parthenium hysterophorus), obtained through slow pyrolysis at a heating rate of 40°Cmin−1 with a nitrogen flow 100mlmin−1 at a temperature range of 350–650°C. For successful utilization of biochar for C-sequestration, its ability to resist abiotic or biotic degradation was deduced from recalcitrance index R50 by using TG analysis. It was observed that the biochar produced at higher temperature had higher water holding capacity (WHC) and pH, suggesting its suitability as an amendment in soil with low water retention capacity; thus biochar may be designed to selectively improve soil chemical and physical properties by altering feedstocks and pyrolysis conditions. Biochar produced at 650°C had highest yield in the range of 28.52–39.9 wt.%.