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Conversion of chicken feather waste via hydrothermal carbonization: process optimization and the effect of hydrochar on seed germination of Acacia auriculiformis

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Abstract

Using statistical response surface methodology this paper primarily investigates the role of process parameters at different levels (temperature, contact time, and rotation speed) and their influence on yield percentage during the production of chicken feather hydrochar (CFH) as soil amendment. Later, the produced char samples were evaluated before and after washing to assess the phytotoxic effect of seed germination and growth on Acacia auriculiformis through germination index% (GI). The optimized conditions for temperature, contact time, and rotation speed of hydrochar production were 150 °C, 1 h and 105.65 rpm, respectively. The hydrochar yield percentage at optimized conditions was 51.93%. The seed germination test indicated strong phytotoxicity for soil with untreated char, fresh hydrochar extract (FHE) with high doses, and 4 months old hydrochar extract (OHE) but the toxic effect was lower for washed hydrochar extract (WHE). It showed a higher germination rate and growth performance for washed hydrochar extract among all the doses. This study has confirmed the applicability of chicken feather (CF) hydrochar for improving the physical properties of sandy loam soil. Further research into pre-treatment and assessment of hydrochar before field application is required.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are highly indebted to TWAS-research grant, RGA No. 17-511 RG/CHE/AS-G-FR 3240300143 for this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh

    Md. Azharul Islam, Joy Paul & Sharif Hasan Limon

  2. Environmental Science Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh

    Jesmin Akter & Md. Atikul Islam

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  1. Md. Azharul Islam
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Correspondence to Md. Azharul Islam.

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Islam, M.A., Paul, J., Akter, J. et al. Conversion of chicken feather waste via hydrothermal carbonization: process optimization and the effect of hydrochar on seed germination of Acacia auriculiformis. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 23, 1177–1188 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-021-01209-4

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