Occurrence, distribution, and toxicity assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in biochar, biocrude, and biogas obtained from pyrolysis of agricultural residues

Abstract

Occurrence, distribution, and toxicity assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in pyrolysis steams (biochar, biocrude, and biogas) of three agricultural residues was investigated at pyrolysis temperatures of 400–800 °C. Increasing PAHs formation was observed in the narrow temperature range (500–600 °C) in all feedstocks due to temperature-induced dehydration, decarboxylation, and dehydrogenation reactions. Low molecular weight PAHs (naphthalene, phenanthrene) were dominant in all product streams while high molecular weight PAHs were found in negligible concentrations. Leaching studies showed that pyrolyzed biochars produced at lower temperatures are more prone to leaching due to the presence of hydrophilic amorphous uncarbonized structures, while the presence of hydrophobic carbonized matrix with denser and stronger polymetallic complex prevents the leaching of PAHs in the high temperature pyrolyzed biochar. Low leaching potential, low toxic equivalency, and permissible total PAHs values in biochar derived from all three feedstocks warrant the broader application and ensure ecological safety.