Abstract
The crop residues generated in agricultural fields are mostly considered a burden due to their disposal issues. This study attempts to effectively use pigeon pea stalk (PPS) for biochar production, a promising source as a soil amendment for carbon sequestration and alternative fuel source. PPS was pyrolyzed at different loads and reaction times to optimize the kiln temperature (350–400 °C and 450–500 °C) and changes in physicochemical properties, higher heating value (HHV) and yield were assessed. The results indicated that biochar yield, volatile matter, bulk density, O/C and H/C atomic ratios decreased, whereas fixed carbon, ash content and total porosity increased with increasing kiln temperature across all loads. Biochar produced at 450–500 °C (18 kg load kiln−1) had higher total carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous, recovered total carbon and total nitrogen, total potential carbon and CO2 reduction potential. Biochar produced at 350–400 °C had the maximum cation exchange capability (43.0 cmol kg−1). Biochar has estimated O/C and H/C atomic ratios of 0.07–0.15 and 0.35–0.50, respectively. Biochar exhibited good agronomic characteristics and fulfilled key quality criteria of H/C < 0.7 and O/C < 0.4 for soil carbon sequestration, as described by the European Biochar Certificate and the International Biochar Initiative. The estimated mean residence time and the mass fraction of carbon that would remain after 100 years were consistently greater than 1000 years and 80%, respectively. The biochar produced at 450–500 °C (at 18.0 kg kiln−1) from PPS had higher fixed carbon (65.3%), energy density (1.51), energetic retention efficiency (53%), fuel ratio (4.88), and HHV (25.01 MJ kg−1), as well as lower H/C and O/C ratios, implying that it is suitable for use as an alternative solid fuel.
Highlights
IntroductionLow-cost carbonaceous solid product that results from thermal degradation (slow pyrolysis) of biomass under low temperature, low-oxic or anoxic conditions [1]
Introduction published maps and institutional affilBiochar is a versatile, low-cost carbonaceous solid product that results from thermal degradation of biomass under low temperature, low-oxic or anoxic conditions [1]
This study presented the feasibility of producing biochar from pigeon pea stalk (PPS) under varying production conditions, which could be immensely useful for the efficient management of surplus crop waste
Summary
Low-cost carbonaceous solid product that results from thermal degradation (slow pyrolysis) of biomass under low temperature, low-oxic or anoxic conditions [1]. The production of biochar via slow pyrolysis technology has piqued interest as a means of managing crop residues, and this conversion is a novel way to potentially add value to crop residues, with additional benefits such as reduced bulkiness, ease of milling, storage, handling, and low transportation costs [2] compared to uncarbonized crop residue. The potential worth of biochar for carbon storage, as well as a high energy material, has become the subject of multi-disciplinary areas of science and engineering research. There has been extensive research into using carbon rich biochar to improve soil CEC, water holding capacity, aeration, iations
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