Feedstock type and pyrolysis temperature of rosemary wastes in a fixed-bed reactor affect the characteristics and application potentials of the bio-chars

Abstract

Rosemary waste was used as a precursor to produce biochar by slow pyrolysis, examining the influence of feedstock type (leaves or stems) and pyrolysis temperature on biochar properties. The structural, thermal, morphological and physicochemical characteristics of the original feedstocks and biochars were analyzed by XRD, FTIR, SEM, DTA/TGA and EA (CHNSO). The study revealed differences in the chemical composition of rosemary leaves and stems. Leaves showed higher levels of hemicellulose and extractive, while stems contained more cellulose and lignin. Biochar yields from stems are higher than those from leaves, and both decrease as pyrolysis temperature rises from 400 to 900°C. The density increases with increasing pyrolysis temperature, that of leaf biochars is greater. Stem biochars had a higher surface electronegativity than leaf biochars. Two pyrolysis temperature ranges have been determined. At T < 700°C, most of the hydrolyzable functional groups in the feedstock were retained in the biochars. Leaf biochar leachates have very high electrical conductivities compared to stem biochars and feedstocks, indicating significant salt content. At T ≥ 700°C, stem biochars have greater chemical stability to oxidation (average = 106.9 %) than leaf biochars (average = 100.6 %). Stems biochars, prepared at T <700°C, can be better valorized in carbon storage as a long-term C sink or replaces fossil carbon in industrial manufacturing, it can also be better valorized in the agricultural sector.