Abstract
In the long-run, microwave pyrolysis can be a simpler and low energy-requiring alternative to conventional pyrolysis for the thermochemical conversion of biomass to useful products. However, there are still research gaps in its mechanism. Thus, this study investigated the various factors affecting the biochar yield using a half resolution (2k-1) factorial design on the microwave pyrolysis of corn cob wastes. A viable biochar product was produced within minutes of the reaction; wherein, the statistical analysis confirmed the exposure time, microwave output power and their interaction as significant in the CCBc yield. The highest yield obtained was 52.87% when exposure time and output power were set to 5 min and 450W, respectively. A general decreasing effect on the yield was observed from increasing exposure time and output power. This was due to the rapid heating experienced by the corn cob wastes causing the hydrocarbons to react and transform into permanent gases at higher temperatures. To confirm the carbon content of the CCBc, elemental analysis showed an average of 67.11% C at low time-low power (LTLP) of 450 W for 5 min and 81.32% C for the samples operated at high time-high power (HTHP) of 700 W for 10 min.
Highlights
Biomass is foreseen to have a much greater significant role in humanity’s carbon-free future supply of materials, fuel and energy
Analysis of variance showed that exposure time, output power and their interaction were significant in the corn cob biochar (CCBc) yield
Considering these significant parameters, the highest yield of 52.87% was obtained at low time-low power (LTLP) at 5 min and 450 W
Summary
Biomass is foreseen to have a much greater significant role in humanity’s carbon-free future supply of materials, fuel and energy. In the Philippines, renewable sources like biomass can be sourced from agricultural crops and their residues. There are over 30 million hectares of arable land with about 47% dedicated to growing crops [1]. In lieu of decarbonizing economies towards sustainability, pyrolysis is a well-known waste valorization technology which converts biomass wastes into useful fuels, chemicals and materials. It produces biogas for fuel [2], bio-oil for asphalt applications and recently biochar for gas separation [3], catalyst application [4], carbon sequestration [5] and even electrode nanomaterials [6]
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