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Biochar for Soil Improvement: Evaluation of Biochar from Gasification and Slow Pyrolysis

Author

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  • Lydia Fryda

    (Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN), P.O. Box 1, 1755 ZG Petten, The Netherlands)

  • Rianne Visser

    (Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN), P.O. Box 1, 1755 ZG Petten, The Netherlands)

Abstract

The growing need for food, energy and materials demands a resource efficient approach as the world’s population keeps increasing. Biochar is a valuable product that can be produced in combination with bio-energy in a cascading approach to make best use of available resources. In addition, there are resources that have not been used up to now, such as, e.g., many agro-residues that can become available. Most agro-residues are not suitable for high temperature energy conversion processes due to high alkali-content, which results in slagging and fouling in conventional energy generation systems. Using agro-residues in thermal processes, therefore, logically moves to lower temperatures in order to avoid operational problems. This provides an ideal situation for the combined energy and biochar production. In this work a slow pyrolysis process (an auger reactor) at 400 °C and 600 °C is used as well as two fluidized bed systems for low-temperature (600 °C–750 °C) gasification for the combined energy and biochar generation. Comparison of the two different processes focuses here on the biochar quality parameters (physical, chemical and surface properties), although energy generation and biochar quality are not independent parameters. A large number of feedstock were investigated on general char characteristics and in more detail the paper focuses on two main input streams (woody residues, greenhouse waste) in order to deduct relationships between char parameters for the same feedstock. It is clear that the process technology influences the main biochar properties such as elemental- and ash composition, specific surface area, pH, in addition to mass yield quality of the gas produced. Slow pyrolysis biochars have smaller specific surface areas (SA) and higher PAH than the gasification samples (although below international norms) but higher yields. Higher process temperatures and different gaseous conditions in gasification resulted in lower biochar yields but larger TSA, higher pH and ash contents and very low tar content (16-PAH). From the feedstock data looked at in more detail, a few trends could be deducted in the attempt to learn how to steer the biochar characteristics for specific uses.

Suggested Citation

  • Lydia Fryda & Rianne Visser, 2015. "Biochar for Soil Improvement: Evaluation of Biochar from Gasification and Slow Pyrolysis," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-40, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:5:y:2015:i:4:p:1076-1115:d:58352
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shackley, Simon & Carter, Sarah & Knowles, Tony & Middelink, Erik & Haefele, Stephan & Haszeldine, Stuart, 2012. "Sustainable gasification–biochar systems? A case-study of rice-husk gasification in Cambodia, Part II: Field trial results, carbon abatement, economic assessment and conclusions," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 618-623.
    2. Galinato, Suzette P. & Yoder, Jonathan K. & Granatstein, David, 2011. "The economic value of biochar in crop production and carbon sequestration," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(10), pages 6344-6350, October.
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    7. Inés López-Cano & María L. Cayuela & Claudio Mondini & Chibi A. Takaya & Andrew B. Ross & Miguel A. Sánchez-Monedero, 2018. "Suitability of Different Agricultural and Urban Organic Wastes as Feedstocks for the Production of Biochar—Part 1: Physicochemical Characterisation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-18, July.
    8. A. Taraqqi-A-Kamal & Christopher J. Atkinson & Aimal Khan & Kaikai Zhang & Peng Sun & Sharmin Akther & Yanrong Zhang, 2021. "Biochar remediation of soil: linking biochar production with function in heavy metal contaminated soils," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 67(4), pages 183-201.
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