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Sustainable Biochar Fertiliser Production Using Melt Adsorption and Optimisation

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  • Xia Zhang

    (Faculty of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
    Key Laboratory of Plateau Characteristic Modern Agriculture Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction, Education Department of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650201, China)

  • Yiyang Wang

    (Faculty of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
    Key Laboratory of Plateau Characteristic Modern Agriculture Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction, Education Department of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650201, China)

  • Panjie Su

    (Faculty of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
    Key Laboratory of Plateau Characteristic Modern Agriculture Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction, Education Department of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650201, China)

  • Weida Zeng

    (Faculty of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
    Key Laboratory of Plateau Characteristic Modern Agriculture Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction, Education Department of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650201, China)

  • Jingzhe Zhu

    (Faculty of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
    Key Laboratory of Plateau Characteristic Modern Agriculture Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction, Education Department of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650201, China)

  • Zongshou Cai

    (Faculty of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
    Key Laboratory of Plateau Characteristic Modern Agriculture Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction, Education Department of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650201, China)

Abstract

The global production of coffee generates substantial waste in the form of coffee husks, presenting an opportunity for sustainable resource utilisation. This study investigates the conversion of coffee husks into biochar-based fertilisers using an optimised pyrolysis process and the melt adsorption method, with the aim of improving slow-release nutrient characteristics. Coffee husks were pyrolysed under controlled conditions, and the resulting biochar was blended with urea in a 1:1 ratio to produce the fertiliser. The nutrient release rates of the fertiliser were evaluated through soil column leaching experiments. For slow-release fertilisers, less release in a period means better performance, and the optimal nutrient release rate is the minimum in the experiment. Single-factor experiments assessed the effects of critical process parameters, including raw material particle size (0.25–2.8 mm), pyrolysis atmosphere (CO 2 to N 2 ratios ranging from 0% to 100%), pyrolysis temperature (400–800 °C), heating rate (10–30 °C min −1 ), and pyrolysis time (20–100 min). Orthogonal experiments were subsequently conducted to analyse the interactions between selected parameters of pyrolysis temperature, CO 2 to N 2 ratio, heating rate, and pyrolysis time using regression analysis. The optimal process conditions determined through MATLAB optimisation were a pyrolysis temperature of 591 °C, a heating rate of 15.4 °C∙min⁻ 1 , and a pyrolysis time of 44.4 min, resulting in the minimum nutrient release rate of 40%. The sequence of process parameters influencing the slow-release characteristics was found to be heating rate > pyrolysis time > pyrolysis temperature > CO 2 to N 2 ratio. This study provides a framework for transforming agricultural residues into high-performance biochar-based fertilisers, aligning with sustainable resource management and pollution control strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Xia Zhang & Yiyang Wang & Panjie Su & Weida Zeng & Jingzhe Zhu & Zongshou Cai, 2025. "Sustainable Biochar Fertiliser Production Using Melt Adsorption and Optimisation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-16, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:5:p:1963-:d:1599266
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mika Pahnila & Aki Koskela & Petri Sulasalmi & Timo Fabritius, 2023. "A Review of Pyrolysis Technologies and the Effect of Process Parameters on Biocarbon Properties," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-27, October.
    2. Yansong Zhang & Xiaolei Fan & Yu Mao & Yujie Wei & Jianming Xu & Lili Wu, 2023. "The Coupling Relationship and Driving Factors of Fertilizer Consumption, Economic Development and Crop Yield in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-20, May.
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