Abstract
A horizontal drum kiln is a traditional method widely used in Southeast Asian countries for producing biochar. An understanding of temperature conditions in the kiln and its influence on biochar properties is crucial for identifying suitable biochar applications. In this study, four agricultural residues (corncob, coconut husk, coconut shell, and rice straw) were used for drum kiln biochar production. The agricultural residues were turned into biochar within 100–200 min, depending on their structures. The suitability of biochar for briquette fuels was analyzed using proximate, ultimate, and elemental analysis. The biochar’s physical and chemical properties were characterized via bulk density, iodine number, pHpzc, SEM, and FTIR measurements. All biochars had low O/C and H/C ratios and negative charge from both carbonyl and hydroxyl groups. Coconut husk and shell biochar had desirable properties such as high heating value and a high amount of surface functional groups which can interact with nutrients in soil. These biochars are thus suitable for use for a variety of purposes including as biofuels, adsorbents, and as soil amendments.
Highlights
The temperature as a function of time of heating was monitored to find out the maximum temperature for each agricultural residue turned into biochar
Pyrolysis took place over the temperature range between 150 and 400 ◦ C, when lignin would be decomposed and gaseous products formed such as H2, CO, and CO2 [24]
The peak temperature and the time taken to reach the maximum temperature of each agricultural residue were variable due to the different chemical composition of the plant fibers
Summary
Agriculture is one of the dominant sectors for both the Thai economy and other Southeast Asian (SEA) countries, with a high overseas demand for their food and agricultural products such as rice, sugar, coconut, and corn. These countries produce high amounts of agricultural residues from both harvesting and the food processing industries. It was estimated that there more than 500 million tons/year of residues are produced from the agricultural and forest sectors of SEA countries [1] These residues represent a significant challenge to proper waste management and reuse. Biochar is a carbon-rich material which is mostly derived from biomass and has high stability in the environment
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