Abstract
Pyrolysis is an efficient process by which biomass can be utilized to produce biochar and pyroligneous acid which can be used as source of energy for cooking and bio-pesticides, respectively. Current study determined the effect of feedstock moisture content (FMC) (10%, 15% and 20%), pyrolysis residence time (PRT) (90 minutes, 135 minutes, and 180 minutes) and chimney inclination angle (CIA) (30o, 45o and 60o) on the production and quality of biochar and pyroligneous acid (PA). An experimental pyrolysis system was designed, developed, and used. The biochar quality was based on pH, moisture content (MC), volatile matter (VM), ash content (AC) and fixed carbon (FC) while PA was classified using pH and density. The highest production obtained for biochar was 43.66% at FMC = 10%, PRT = 90 min and CIA = 30o and the lowest was 38.74% at FMC = 20% and PRT = 180 min and CIA = 45o while for PA the highest was 31.11% at FMC = 15%, PRT = 90 min and CIA = 30o and the lowest was 25.21% at FMC = 10%, PRT = 180 min and CIA = 60o. The best quality biochar obtained had a pH = 9.10 (FMC = 10%, PRT = 180 min, CIA = 30o), MC = 4.10% (FMC = 10%, PRT = 180 min, CIA = 45o), VM = 21.00% (FMC = 10%, PRT = 180 min, CIA = 30o), AC = 3.60% (FMC = 10%, PRT = 90 min, CIA = 30o) and FC = 70.60% (FMC = 10%, PRT = 180 min, CIA = 30o) while the PA had ρ = 1.05 gcm-3 (FMC = 10%, PRT = 180 min, CIA = 45o) and pH = 2.78 (FMC = 10%, PRT = 180 min, CIA = 30o). The selected pyrolysis parameters except CIA had a significant influence on the biochar production and quality and on the other hand, all the parameters affected the PA production but only PRT had a significant influence on its quality.
Published Version
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