Abstract
Biochar obtained by pyrolysis is receiving great research interest as it is perceived to be a renewable resource available for agronomic and environmental applications. Since biochar is a highly heterogeneous material with chemical composition that varies widely depending on feedstock and pyrolysis conditions, this study compares the characteristics of biochar produced by pyrolysis at six temperature levels ranging between 300 and 800 °C of two types of biomass, i.e. rapeseed straw (RS)—agriculture waste and poplar tree shavings (PP)—forest waste from furniture making. Twelve biochars were generated via pyrolysis under low oxygen conditions of the selected biomasses in an electrically heated batch reactor. To determine how pyrolysis temperature affects the properties of biochars and consequently their possible utilization, physical, chemical, thermal, porosity and EDX analysis were measured for all biochars and for the corresponding feedstocks. SEM images of the biochar revealed that an increase in temperature led to a higher number of pores for PP biochar compared to RS biochar, and that PP biochar pores tended to shrink with temperature. The elemental composition and the pH of biochars were also compared. Based on the experimental results a utilization matrix was designed as to offer indications concerning possible applications of RS and PP biochars in substitution to fossil derived products for soil remediation (e.g., agriculture fertilizers) and in environmental applications (e.g., removal of pollutants).
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Notes
In general, biochar refers to a carbon-rich and porous material, which is produced by thermal decomposition of biomass under oxygen-limited conditions and at relatively low temperatures, ~ 700–800 °C (Lehman, 2009). It has a high specific surface area, a high density of negative surface charges, and characteristic pores and surface functional groups (Liang et al., 2006).
Colloquial term for a kind of Anthrosol where charcoal (or biochar) has been applied to soil along with many other materials, including pottery shards, turtle shells, animal and fish bones, etc. Originally found in Brazil. From the Portuguese ‘terra’ meaning ‘earth’ and ‘preta’ meaning ‘black’ (Verheijen et al., 2010).
C/O indicates the polarity and abundance of polar oxygen containing surface functional groups in biochar, higher the ratio more is the polar functional groups. These groups actively take part in adsorption of heavy metals.
H/C ratio indicates the aromatically and stability of the biochar.
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Acknowledgements
The financial support of Romanian “Competitiveness Operational Program 2014-2020”, Priority Axis 1: Research, Technological Development and Innovation (RD&I) to Support Economic Competitiveness and Business Development, Action 1.1.4. Attracting high-level personnel from abroad to enhance the RD capacity, (ID/Cod My SMIS: P_37_768/scheme: 103651; Contract No: 39/02.09.2016) is gratefully acknowledged.
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Gheorghe-Bulmau, C., Volceanov, A., Stanciulescu, I. et al. Production and properties assessment of biochars from rapeseed and poplar waste biomass for environmental applications in Romania. Environ Geochem Health 44, 1683–1696 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-021-01061-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-021-01061-3