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Comparing Physicochemical Properties and Sorption Behaviors of Pyrolysis-Derived and Microwave-Mediated Biochar

Author

Listed:
  • Colten A. Brickler

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida Agriculture & Mechanical University-Florida State University (FAMU-FSU) College of Engineering, 2525 Pottsdamer Street, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
    Water/Wastewater Engineering Division, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., 189 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801, USA)

  • Yudi Wu

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida Agriculture & Mechanical University-Florida State University (FAMU-FSU) College of Engineering, 2525 Pottsdamer Street, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA)

  • Simeng Li

    (Department of Civil Engineering, California State Polytechnic University Pomona, 3801 West Temple Avenue, Pomona, FL 91768, USA)

  • Aavudai Anandhi

    (Biological Systems Engineering, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Florida Agriculture & Mechanical University, 1409 Wahnish Way, Tallahassee, FL 32303, USA)

  • Gang Chen

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida Agriculture & Mechanical University-Florida State University (FAMU-FSU) College of Engineering, 2525 Pottsdamer Street, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA)

Abstract

Biochar’s ability to amend and remediate agricultural soil has been a growing interest, though the energy expenses from high-temperature pyrolysis deter the product’s use. Therefore, it is urgent to improve the pyrolysis efficiency while ensuring the quality of produced biochar. The present study utilized three types of feedstock (i.e., switchgrass, biosolid, and water oak leaves) to produce biochar via conventional slow pyrolysis and microwave pyrolysis at different temperature/energy input. The produced biochar was characterized and comprehensively compared in terms of their physiochemical properties (e.g., surface functionality, elemental composition, and thermal stability). It was discovered that microwave-mediated biochar was more resistant to thermal decomposition, indicated by a higher production yield, yet more diverse surface functional groups were preserved than slow pyrolysis-derived biochar. A nutrient (NO 3 -N) adsorption isotherm study displayed that microwave-mediated biochar exhibited greater adsorption (13.3 mg g −1 ) than that of slow pyrolysis-derived biochar (3.1 mg g −1 ), proving its potential for future applications. Results suggested that microwaves pyrolysis is a promising method for biochar production.

Suggested Citation

  • Colten A. Brickler & Yudi Wu & Simeng Li & Aavudai Anandhi & Gang Chen, 2021. "Comparing Physicochemical Properties and Sorption Behaviors of Pyrolysis-Derived and Microwave-Mediated Biochar," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-17, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:2359-:d:503779
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    Cited by:

    1. Samar Elkhalifa & Hamish R. Mackey & Tareq Al-Ansari & Gordon McKay, 2022. "Pyrolysis of Biosolids to Produce Biochars: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-19, August.

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