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![TGA analysis of the pyrolysis of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin [10]](publication/348820069/figure/fig1/AS:11431281226604401@1709265318133/TGA-analysis-of-the-pyrolysis-of-cellulose-hemicellulose-and-lignin-10_Q320.jpg)
What differs biochar from charcoal? The simple answer is that biochar is a carbon-rich product obtained from the thermal decomposition of organic material, at the presence of no or only a bit of oxygen. In principle, the production of biochar is comparable to the production of charcoal, one of the oldest and most established processes developed by...
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PurposeConversion of sewage sludge and corn stalks into biochars via co-pyrolysis is a promising strategy for resource recycling. We hypothesized that the condition of co-pyrolysis would change the biochars’ properties, which would have different agronomic benefits in coal mining area. The aims of this study were to (i) explore the difference in ph...
A few countries fulfil global tea demand, and Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, is one of the top tea exporters. Tea is Sri Lanka's largest agricultural export, with an annual production of approximately 340 million kg. Consequently, the tea industry generates significant quantities of tea waste. Unfortunately, the Sri Lankan tea industry often...
In this study, a series of laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of slow pyrolysis parameters of temperature, air mass flow rate, heating rate, and residence time on cud and waste paper char yields. Cud and waste paper were heated with a slow pyrolysis temperature (167 0 C) to produce the biochar. The degree of decomposit...
Biochar is the black residue remaining after the pyrolysis of biomass. It has a pore structure with large specific surface area, accompanied by a strong adsorption capacity. Due to its mesoporous framework, biochar can be used to shape stabilize the phase-change materials (PCMs). A PCM is a substance absorbing and releasing thermal energy at a phas...
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... Natural adsorbents, like biochar, a carbon-rich product generated from the pyrolysis of biomass under low-oxygen conditions (Hornung et al., 2024), is increasingly being recognized as a promising solution for water treatment (Ahmed et al., 2016). Another promising nature-based candidate for greywater treatment is the Moringa oleifera (MO) seed proteins. ...
This study investigated the potential of using biochar and Moringa oleifera seed proteins for sustainable greywater treatment in rural Kenya. Greywater samples from washing clothes were collected from households in the Kenyan counties of Kwale and Siaya. Two treatment methods, batch stirring and filtration, were used to assess the effectiveness of using biochar and Moringa oleifera seed protein extract together to treat greywater at a household level. Both methods achieved a significant reduction in contaminants: colour was reduced by up to 43% in Kwale and 67% in Siaya, turbidity decreased by 91–98%, and surfactant levels were lowered by 89–93%. There were increases in total organic carbon and total dissolved solids post-treatment, but both methods effectively reduced levels of phosphates, nitrates and iron. This research highlights the potential of using locally available materials for greywater treatment and provides insights into sustainable water management nature-based solutions in the Global South.
... Під час термохімічної обробки біомаси, що супроводжується її розкладанням, торефікація зазвичай є першою стадією, за якою йде піроліз і, нарешті, газифікація. По мірі виходу летких речовин, хімічний склад біомаси змінюєтьсязменшується вміст водню і кисню, в результаті падають молярні співвідношення H/C та O/C, що є показником інтенсивності карбонізації [3]. ...
Useful disposal of industrial waste and biomass remains is increasingly relevant for Ukrainian enterprises. The purpose of this article is to find additional opportunities for the production of products with greater added value by processing waste and biomass residues to biochar. World prices for biochar are quite high, much higher than for the use of biocoals as fuel, and are around 800 EUR/t, maximum up to 1,800 EUR/t. The main technical characteristics and price offers of equipment for the production of biochar from nine manufacturers from China, Germany, Finland, Norway and the Netherlands were analyzed. The results of feasibility study of the biochar production from sunflower husks on a technological line with an input productivity of 5 t/h for one of the Ukrainian vegetable oils production plants are presented. As the main equipment, a drum-type pyrolyzer heated by synthesis gas, formed during the thermochemical decomposition of biomass, was considered. Byproducts of production are also bioacetic acid and tar oil. The financial indicators in the case of biochar export are attractive enough for implementation. The estimated simple payback period when using granulated husk was about 4 years at a price of biochar of 650 EUR/t and less than one year at a price of 800 EUR/t. When using non-granulated husk, the simple payback period was about 3 years, even at the price of biochar of 450 EUR/t. Possible risks for implementation are the uncertainty regarding market demand and sales opportunities for biochar, quality requirements and the ability of the considered equipment to provide them, insufficient information regarding biochar yield from various biomass, as well as the lack of experience. Enterprises interested in the implementation of such a project are recommended to conduct trial processing of a batch of their raw materials on similar equipment in advance, to determine the share of biochar yield and its quality characteristics, to search for potential buyers to discuss quality requirements and possible prices.
... It should not be overlooked that the contents of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are limited by national and international legislation documents [41,62,63]. One of the most complex legislation documents aimed at soil quality is the Government Decree on the Assessment of Soil Contamination and Remediation Needs of Finnland [64], including the limit values for antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chrome (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and vanadium (V). ...
The possibilities of pistachio shell biochar production on laboratory-scale gasification and pyrolysis devices have been described by several previous studies. Nevertheless, the broader results of the pistachio shell co-gasification process on pilot-scale units have not yet been properly investigated or reported, especially regarding the detailed description of the biochar acquired during the routine operation. The biochar was analysed using several analytical techniques, such as ultimate and proximate analysis (62%wt of C), acid–base properties analysis (pH 9.52), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (the presence of –OH bonds and identification of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin), Raman spectroscopy (no determination of Id/Ig ratio due to high fluorescence), and nitrogen physisorption (specific surface 50.895 m2·g−1). X-ray fluorescence analysis exhibited the composition of the main compounds in the biochar ash (32.5%wt of Cl and 40.02%wt of Na2O). From the energy generation point of view, the lower heating value of the producer gas achieved 6.53 MJ·m−3 during the co-gasification. The relatively high lower heating value of the producer gas was mainly due to the significant volume fractions of CO (6.5%vol.), CH4 (14.2%vol.), and H2 (4.8 %vol.), while hot gas efficiency accomplished 89.6%.
... Biochar has been made for centuries and is one of the oldest and most established processes developed by mankind [63]. Some methods use 'slow pyrolysis' which maximizes the amount of solid material (biochar) that is produced [64]. ...
... Using slow pyrolysis, approximately 15%-20% of the original feedstock is returned as biochar. The process of making charcoal from ancient history up to now has evolved from charcoal pits, mound kilns, and retort kilns to modern technologies involving conventional technologies together with more advanced technologies such as gasification, torrefaction, microwaveassisted pyrolysis, hydrothermal carbonization, and modified traditional methods such as flash pyrolysis, vacuum pyrolysis, and microwave pyrolysis varying from simple units, like heated steel drums to fully automated and controlled processes [63,65]. ...
Pyrolysis is a combustion process of woody biomass conducted under low or no oxygen conditions. It converts any kind of biomass into biochar, bio-oil, or biogas. Hence plants’ woody material can also be converted into bioenergy products. Valorization of woody biomass in the form of energy-rich compound biochar is a more sustainable technique as compared to conventional burning which leads to toxicity to the environment. Innovations and the need to limit open burning have resulted in numerous mobile and fixed plant pyrolysis methods that burn a variety of woody residues. Production technologies that reduce the need for open burning, the main source of potential pollutants, fall under the regulations in the Clean Air Act of 1990. This Act is the legal instrument to regulate air pollution at its source across the United States of America and it is implemented and enforced through the Environmental Protection Agency, in coordination with sister agencies. One newer innovation for reducing wood residues and emissions is an air curtain incinerator. Currently, the Clean Air Act regulates stationary solid waste incinerators, and this is also applied to mobile air curtain incinerators burning woody biomass. However, other woody biochar production methods (e.g., flame cap kilns) are not subjected to these regulations. Discrepancies in the interpretation of definitions related to incineration and pyrolysis and the myriad of differences related to stationary and mobile air curtain incinerators, type of waste wood from construction activities, forest residues, and other types of clean wood make the permit regulations confusing as permits can vary by jurisdiction. This review summarizes the current policies, regulations, and directives related to in-woods biochar production and the required permits.
... On the other hand, downdraft gasifiers require biomass with moisture contents below 25% [126]. Also, low moisture contents (maximum 10%) should be specified for fast pyrolysis processes to improve bio-oil yield and quality [128], while slow pyrolysis allows feedstocks with a moisture up to 40-50% [129]. ...
Biomass is a highly versatile and reliable source of firm, renewable energy, capable of generating heat, power and various biofuels. The technologies used to convert biomass into fuels or energy can be broadly divided into two categories: biochemical and thermochemical. Biochemical pathways for forest biomass conversion into fuels still face techno-economic challenges, requiring further research to make them economically attractive. In contrast, thermochemical conversion processes, including gasification, pyrolysis and combustion, are well suited for forest biomass conversion, with several technologies having reached a fully commercial stage. Combustion, the most common and mature thermochemical pathway, converts forest biomass into heat, power, or combined heat and power. While traditional, inefficient and polluting methods are still used for burning forest biomass, modern, cleaner, and more efficient combustion technologies are available and in use. Some pathways based on gasification and pyrolysis are also commercially viable, providing solid, liquid and gaseous biofuels. These options offer versatility across combustion systems, heat engines, fuel cells and synthesis applications. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of forest biomass as an energy source, covering processing technologies, technology readiness levels, fuel characteristics and pre-treatment methods. It emphasizes the potential and challenges associated with using forest biomass for sustainable energy production.
... Biochar has been made for centuries and is one of the oldest and most established processes developed by mankind (Hornung et al., 2020). Some methods use 'slow pyrolysis' which maximizes the amount of solid material (biochar) that is produced (Sohi et al., 2010). ...
... Using slow pyrolysis approximately 15-20% of the original feedstock is returned as biochar. The process of charcoal making from the ancient history up to now has evolved from charcoal pits, and mound kilns, and retort kilns to modern technologies involving conventional technologies together with more advanced technologies such as gasification, torrefaction, microwave-assisted pyrolysis, hydrothermal carbonization, and modified traditional methods such as flash pyrolysis, vacuum pyrolysis, and microwave pyrolysis varying from simple units, like heated steel drums to full automated and controlled processes (Gabhane et al., 2020;Hornung et al., 2020). ...
Pyrolysis is a combustion process of woody biomass conducted under low or no oxygen conditions. New innovations and the need to limit open burning has resulted in numerous mobile and fixed plant pyrolysis methods that burn a variety of woody residues. Production technologies that reduce the need for open burning, the main source of potential pollutants, fall under the regulations in the Clean Air Act of 1990. This Act is the legal instrument to regulate air pollution at its source across the United States of America and it is implemented and enforced through the Environmental Protection Agency, in coordination with sister agencies. One newer innovation for reducing woody residues and emissions is an air curtain incinerator. Currently, the Clean Air Act regulates stationary solid waste incinerators, and this is also applied to mobile air curtain incinerators burning woody biomass. However, other woody biochar production methods (e.g., flame cap kilns) are not subject to these regulations. Discrepancies in the interpretation of definitions related to incineration and pyrolysis and the myriad of differences related to stationary and mobile air curtain incinerators, type of waste wood from construction activities, forest residues, and other types of clean wood make the permitting regulations confusing as permits can vary by jurisdiction. This review summarizes the current policies, regulations, and directives related to in-woods biochar production and the required permits.
... Combustion and molecular weight distribution analysis of biocrudes25 The thermogravimetric analysis is an important tool which reveals the thermal stability of 26 biocrude, boiling point range to enable the quantification of the presence of several fractions and 27 the inherent coke formation due to the possible presence of polyaromatics hydrocarbons in the 28 biocrude.Fig. 3a and bshow the TGA and the DTG plots of biocrudes having the highest heating 29 values in the present reaction conditions considered. ...
... TG/DTG curves of residues from runs 8 and 9 are very similar, revealing the presence of three degradation steps: the first one, occurring up to about 105°C, is due to the humidity loss; the second one, occurring between 250 and 400°C, is attributed to the decomposition of the oxygenated compounds and the residual cellulose, in agreement with that observed for the starting feedstock; lastly, a third thermal degradation step occurs slowly in the wide range 400-900°C, which is ascribed to the decomposition of compounds containing aromatic ring structures, characterized by a high thermo-stability, formed through condensation, polymerization and aromatization reactions during the HTC treatment (Hornung et al., 2021;Ding et al., 2021). On this basis, from the second degradation step, it is possible to quantify cellulose, taking into consideration that the decomposition of oxygenated compounds takes place at around 250°C, thus assuming negligible their contribution in the range 300-400°C, attributed to cellulose (Hornung et al., 2021;Gonnella et al., 2022). ...
... TG/DTG curves of residues from runs 8 and 9 are very similar, revealing the presence of three degradation steps: the first one, occurring up to about 105°C, is due to the humidity loss; the second one, occurring between 250 and 400°C, is attributed to the decomposition of the oxygenated compounds and the residual cellulose, in agreement with that observed for the starting feedstock; lastly, a third thermal degradation step occurs slowly in the wide range 400-900°C, which is ascribed to the decomposition of compounds containing aromatic ring structures, characterized by a high thermo-stability, formed through condensation, polymerization and aromatization reactions during the HTC treatment (Hornung et al., 2021;Ding et al., 2021). On this basis, from the second degradation step, it is possible to quantify cellulose, taking into consideration that the decomposition of oxygenated compounds takes place at around 250°C, thus assuming negligible their contribution in the range 300-400°C, attributed to cellulose (Hornung et al., 2021;Gonnella et al., 2022). Normalization of TGA data on percent basis allowed the quantification of the residual cellulose in these two samples, Fig. 2. TG/DTG curves of the solid residues from run 8 (220°C, 1 h, 20 wt%) and run 9 (220°C, 1 h, 10 wt%), in comparison with those of starting microcrystalline cellulose. ...
... The thermogram of the hydrochar from hazelnut shells is similar to that deriving from cellulose, showing a first thermal degradation step, due to the release of humidity and volatile substances (4.8 wt%). Then, a second thermal degradation step can be appreciated, assigned to the real thermal degradation of hydrochar (48.7 wt%), in agreement with the available literature data (Hornung et al., 2021). The absence of additional peaks confirms the complete bulk conversion of hemicellulose and cellulose fractions, as expected (Licursi et al., 2017). ...
... Biochar is biomass-derived charcoal that is intended to be applied to the soil alone or mixed with compost. It is usually highly porous and has a high carbon content [44][45][46][47] . Biochar is also defined as the solid residue remaining after the thermo-chemical transformation of biomass with the intent of carbon sequestration [48] . ...
... g Based on information from the comparison of criteria emissions from biomass management options [52] . process to convert biomass because it is possible to manipulate the proportions of the main products (i.e., pyrolytic oils with a high energy density, the biochar with key properties for soil amendment, or the gas to produce energy) by controlling the main reaction parameters of temperature, rate of heating, and vapor residence time [45,46,60] . ...
Urban centers are places with a high human population concentration, and they can pose social, economic, and environmental challenges. These challenges are accentuated by the increased use of available open space for housing and industrial expansion, leading to elevated energy consumption, increased pollution, higher carbon emissions, and, consequently, adverse effects on human health. Many of these issues also contribute to the acceleration of climate change. There are several ways to decrease these problems through the expansion of greenspaces that conserve biodiversity, decrease air pollution, improve human well-being, and reduce human health risks, while also allowing people to enjoy the benefits of ecosystem services. This review is aimed at professionals who can manage urban landscapes - including adjacent forests, urban parks, tree beds, or home gardens that produce biomass that, together with other non-chemically treated wood waste, could be used to produce and use biochar. Biochar-amended soils provide the benefits of increased carbon sequestration, water retention, and soil productivity and can also decrease stormwater runoff. In addition, a small number of cities around the world have adopted biochar as a nature-based solution to decrease the impacts of climate change. We point out the opportunities and benefits of converting urban wood waste into biochar, how cities can improve their green environments, and, at the same time, produce energy from waste that would otherwise end in landfills with no use or value. Finally, based on previous assessments of wood waste in the United States of America, we estimate the biochar potential to sequester CO2.
... Biochar is the carbon-rich solid product from thermochemical conversion of biomass (usually manure, wood, leaves, and crop residues) and is generally enclosed in an oxygen-deprived environment, intended for use as a soil amendment as a means of improving soil productivity and health (Lehmann and Joseph, 2009;Hornung et al., 2021). Biochar has been shown to positively affect soil fertility and water retention characteristics in the soil (Aller et al., 2017;Dokoohaki et al., 2017;Jatav et al., 2021). ...
Precision agriculture is most effective in areas where significant in-field variation occurs. The Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest in the US, a vast area of undulating fertile farmland, has relatively high in-field variation in water retention and crop yield due to regional topography and uneven soil erosion. The regional agricultural systems depend on the soil at or near field capacity towards the end of a wet spring to support crops throughout the summer drought period. Dryland agricultural systems and high in-field variation and changing climate make water retention management practices throughout the region critical. A finite element vadose zone transport model was developed and used to understand the benefits of the targeted application of biochar on water retention and water redistribution in a representative hillslope. The model utilizes measured soil hydraulic properties to predict soil moisture distribution over the dry season. A Redwood Sawdust and Wheat Straw biochar was amended at 4% and 7% concentrations by mass. Biochar amended soils showed an increase in water retention and apparent reduction in unsaturated hydraulic conductivity as the soil approached saturated conditions. After two months of bare field evaporation, the model showed that biochar impacts water redistribution in the soil profile, contributing to positive and negative changes and a net increase in water retention. Model outputs with biochar showed increased retention in and around the amendment area, although the magnitude between outputs varied, with some samples showing minimal effectiveness. Despite the differences in magnitude with targeted biochar amendment, these results indicate that biochar can change water redistribution (up to 0.5%) in a soil profile. Additionally, the developed model shows promise as a field and regional level management tool to determine the best return on investment from biochar application when applied in a targeted manner.
