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Biomass Chars: Elaboration, Characterization and Applications
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Biomass Chars: Elaboration, Characterization and Applications

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2017) | Viewed by 102611

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Mejdi Jeguirim

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Guest Editor
Institut de Science des Matériaux de Mulhouse (IS2M), Université de Haute-Alsace, CNRS, UMR 7361, 68093 Mulhouse, France
Interests: biomass valorization: pyrolysis, gasification, and combustion of different biomasses, including agriculture residues and agro-industrial by-products; thermal degradation mechanisms and kinetics; gas emission analysis; exhaust gas treatment: exhaust gas treatment in fixed and mobile sources; NOx and soot abatement; volatile organic compound elimination
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Lionel Limousy

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Université de Haute-Alsace, Université de Strasbourg, IS2M, CNRS, UMR7361, 3b rue Alfred Werner, F68100 Mulhouse, France
Interests: Biomass conversion and valorization; carbon materials; biological and physicochemical wastewater treatments; adsorption of pollutants; chemical engineering and processing; batch and continuous reactors; design synthesis and characterization of carbon adsorbents (chars, activated carbons, composite materials)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biomass can be converted to energy, biofuels, and, bioproducts, via thermochemical conversion processes, such as combustion, pyrolysis and gasification. Combustion technology is the most widely applied on an industrial scale. However, biomass gasification and pyrolysis processes are still in research and development stage. The major products from these processes are syngas, bio-oil and char (called also biochar for agronomic application). Among these products, biomass chars have received currently an increasing attention for different applications such as gasification, co-combustion, catalysts or adsorbents precursor, soil amendment, carbon fuel cells, supercapacitors.

This Special Issue provides an overview for biomass chars production methods (pyrolysis, hydrothermal carbonization, etc.), the characterization techniques (Scanning Electronic Microscopy, X-Ray Fluorescence, Nitrogen adsorption, Raman Spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Temperature Programmed Desorption and Mass Spectrometry, etc.), their properties and their suitable recovery processes.  

Prof. Mejdi Jeguirim
Prof. Lionel Limousy
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • biomass
  • thermochemical conversion
  • chars
  • morphological
  • textural and structural properties
  • surface chemistry
  • gasification
  • soil amendment
  • reactivity

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Editorial

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188 KiB  
Editorial
Biomass Chars: Elaboration, Characterization and Applications
by Mejdi Jeguirim and Lionel Limousy
Energies 2017, 10(12), 2040; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10122040 - 03 Dec 2017
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2655
Abstract
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Chars: Elaboration, Characterization and Applications)

Research

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3401 KiB  
Article
The Potential of Activated Carbon Made of Agro-Industrial Residues in NOx Immissions Abatement
by Imen Ghouma, Mejdi Jeguirim, Uta Sager, Lionel Limousy, Simona Bennici, Eckhard Däuber, Christof Asbach, Roman Ligotski, Frank Schmidt and Abdelmottaleb Ouederni
Energies 2017, 10(10), 1508; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10101508 - 28 Sep 2017
Cited by 40 | Viewed by 5461
Abstract
The treatment of NOx from automotive gas exhaust has been widely studied, however the presence of low concentrations of NOx in confined areas is still under investigation. As an example, the concentration of NO2 can approximate 0.15 ppmv inside vehicles [...] Read more.
The treatment of NOx from automotive gas exhaust has been widely studied, however the presence of low concentrations of NOx in confined areas is still under investigation. As an example, the concentration of NO2 can approximate 0.15 ppmv inside vehicles when people are driving on highways. This interior pollution becomes an environmental problem and a health problem. In the present work, the abatement of NO2 immission is studied at room temperature. Three activated carbons (ACs) prepared by physical (CO2 or H2O) or chemical activation (H3PO4) are tested as adsorbents. The novelty of this work consists in studying the adsorption of NO2 at low concentrations that approach real life immission concentrations and is experimentally realizable. The ACs present different structural and textural properties as well as functional surface groups, which induce different affinities with NO2. The AC prepared using water vapor activation presents the best adsorption capacity, which may originate from a more basic surface. The presence of a mesoporosity may also influence the diffusion of NO2 inside the carbon matrix. The high reduction activity of the AC prepared from H3PO4 activation is explained by the important concentration of acidic groups on its surface. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Chars: Elaboration, Characterization and Applications)
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2802 KiB  
Article
Green Carbon Composite-Derived Polymer Resin and Waste Cotton Fibers for the Removal of Alizarin Red S Dye
by Béchir Wanassi, Ichrak Ben Hariz, Camélia Matei Ghimbeu, Cyril Vaulot and Mejdi Jeguirim
Energies 2017, 10(9), 1321; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10091321 - 01 Sep 2017
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4211
Abstract
Phenolic resin and waste cotton fiber were investigated as green precursors for the successful synthesis using a soft template approach of a composite carbon with carbon nanofibers embedded in a porous carbon network with ordered and periodically pore structure. The optimal composite carbon [...] Read more.
Phenolic resin and waste cotton fiber were investigated as green precursors for the successful synthesis using a soft template approach of a composite carbon with carbon nanofibers embedded in a porous carbon network with ordered and periodically pore structure. The optimal composite carbon (PhR/NC-1), exhibited a specific surface area of 394 m2∙g−1 with the existence of both microporosity and mesoporosity. PhR/NC-1 carbon was evaluated as an adsorbent of Alizarin Red S (ARS) dye in batch solution. Various operating conditions were examined and the maximum adsorption capacity of 104 mg∙g−1 was achieved under the following conditions, i.e., T = 25 °C, pH = 3, contact time = 1440 min. The adsorption and desorption heat was assessed by flow micro-calorimetry (FMC), and the presence of both exothermic and endothermic peaks with different intensity was evidenced, meaning a partially reversible nature of ARS adsorption. A pseudo-second-order model proved to be the most suitable kinetic model to describe the ARS adsorption according to the linear regression factor. In addition, the best isotherm equilibrium has been achieved with a Freundlich model. The results show that the eco-friendly composite carbon derived from green phenolic resin mixed with waste cotton fibers improves the removal of ARS dye from textile effluents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Chars: Elaboration, Characterization and Applications)
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1672 KiB  
Article
Effect of Temperature on the Structural and Physicochemical Properties of Biochar with Apple Tree Branches as Feedstock Material
by Shi-Xiang Zhao, Na Ta and Xu-Dong Wang
Energies 2017, 10(9), 1293; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10091293 - 30 Aug 2017
Cited by 366 | Viewed by 12839
Abstract
The objective of this study was to study the structure and physicochemical properties of biochar derived from apple tree branches (ATBs), whose valorization is crucial for the sustainable development of the apple industry. ATBs were collected from apple orchards located on the Weibei [...] Read more.
The objective of this study was to study the structure and physicochemical properties of biochar derived from apple tree branches (ATBs), whose valorization is crucial for the sustainable development of the apple industry. ATBs were collected from apple orchards located on the Weibei upland of the Loess Plateau and pyrolyzed at 300, 400, 500 and 600 °C (BC300, BC400, BC500 and BC600), respectively. Different analytical techniques were used for the characterization of the different biochars. In particular, proximate and element analyses were performed. Furthermore, the morphological, and textural properties were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Boehm titration and nitrogen manometry. In addition, the thermal stability of biochars was also studied by thermogravimetric analysis. The results indicated that the increasing temperature increased the content of fixed carbon (C), the C content and inorganic minerals (K, P, Fe, Zn, Ca, Mg), while the yield, the content of volatile matter (VM), O and H, cation exchange capacity, and the ratios of O/C and H/C decreased. Comparison between the different samples show that highest pH and ash content were observed in BC500. The number of acidic functional groups decreased as a function of pyrolysis temperature, especially for the carboxylic functional groups. In contrast, a reverse trend was found for the basic functional groups. At a higher temperature, the brunauer–emmett–teller (BET) surface area and pore volume are higher mostly due to the increase of the micropore surface area and micropore volume. In addition, the thermal stability of biochars also increased with the increasing temperature. Hence, pyrolysis temperature has a strong effect on biochar properties, and therefore biochars can be produced by changing pyrolysis temperature in order to better meet their applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Chars: Elaboration, Characterization and Applications)
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3866 KiB  
Article
Biomass Chars: The Effects of Pyrolysis Conditions on Their Morphology, Structure, Chemical Properties and Reactivity
by Chamseddine Guizani, Mejdi Jeguirim, Sylvie Valin, Lionel Limousy and Sylvain Salvador
Energies 2017, 10(6), 796; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10060796 - 11 Jun 2017
Cited by 124 | Viewed by 8797
Abstract
Solid char is a product of biomass pyrolysis. It contains a high proportion of carbon, and lower contents of H, O and minerals. This char can have different valorization pathways such as combustion for heat and power, gasification for Syngas production, activation for [...] Read more.
Solid char is a product of biomass pyrolysis. It contains a high proportion of carbon, and lower contents of H, O and minerals. This char can have different valorization pathways such as combustion for heat and power, gasification for Syngas production, activation for adsorption applications, or use as a soil amendment. The optimal recovery pathway of the char depends highly on its physical and chemical characteristics. In this study, different chars were prepared from beech wood particles under various pyrolysis operating conditions in an entrained flow reactor (500–1400 °C). Their structural, morphological, surface chemistry properties, as well as their chemical compositions, were determined using different analytical techniques, including elementary analysis, Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) coupled with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX), Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman Spectroscopy. The biomass char reactivity was evaluated in air using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The yield, chemical composition, surface chemistry, structure, morphology and reactivity of the chars were highly affected by the pyrolysis temperature. In addition, some of these properties related to the char structure and chemical composition were found to be correlated to the char reactivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Chars: Elaboration, Characterization and Applications)
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2582 KiB  
Article
The Potential of Thermal Plasma Gasification of Olive Pomace Charcoal
by Andrius Tamošiūnas, Ajmia Chouchène, Pranas Valatkevičius, Dovilė Gimžauskaitė, Mindaugas Aikas, Rolandas Uscila, Makrem Ghorbel and Mejdi Jeguirim
Energies 2017, 10(5), 710; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10050710 - 17 May 2017
Cited by 35 | Viewed by 5860
Abstract
Annually, the olive oil industry generates a significant amount of by-products, such as olive pomace, olive husks, tree prunings, leaves, pits, and branches. Therefore, the recovery of these residues has become a major challenge in Mediterranean countries. The utilization of olive industry residues [...] Read more.
Annually, the olive oil industry generates a significant amount of by-products, such as olive pomace, olive husks, tree prunings, leaves, pits, and branches. Therefore, the recovery of these residues has become a major challenge in Mediterranean countries. The utilization of olive industry residues has received much attention in recent years, especially for energy purposes. Accordingly, this primary experimental study aims at investigating the potential of olive biomass waste for energy recovery in terms of synthesis gas (or syngas) production using the thermal arc plasma gasification method. The olive charcoal made from the exhausted olive solid waste (olive pomace) was chosen as a reference material for primary experiments with known composition from the performed proximate and ultimate analysis. The experiments were carried out at various operational parameters: raw biomass and water vapour flow rates and the plasma generator power. The producer gas involved principally CO, H2, and CO2 with the highest concentrations of 41.17%, 13.06%, and 13.48%, respectively. The produced synthesis gas has a lower heating value of 6.09 MJ/nm3 at the H2O/C ratio of 3.15 and the plasma torch had a power of 52.2 kW. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Chars: Elaboration, Characterization and Applications)
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8140 KiB  
Article
Volume and Mass Measurement of a Burning Wood Pellet by Image Processing
by Sae Byul Kang, Bong Suk Sim and Jong Jin Kim
Energies 2017, 10(5), 603; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10050603 - 01 May 2017
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 5302
Abstract
Wood pellets are a form of solid biomass energy and a renewable energy source. In 2015, the new and renewable energy (NRE) portion of wood pellets was 4.6% of the total primary energy in Korea. Wood pellets account for 6.2% of renewable energy [...] Read more.
Wood pellets are a form of solid biomass energy and a renewable energy source. In 2015, the new and renewable energy (NRE) portion of wood pellets was 4.6% of the total primary energy in Korea. Wood pellets account for 6.2% of renewable energy consumption in Korea, the equivalent of 824,000 TOE (ton of oil equivalent, 10 million kcal). The burning phases of a wood pellet can be classified into three modes: (1) gasification; (2) flame burning and (3) charcoal burning. At each wood pellet burning mode, the volume and weight of the burning wood pellet can drastically change; these parameters are important to understand the wood pellet burning mechanism. We developed a new method for measuring the volume of a burning wood pellet that involves no contact. To measure the volume of a wood pellet, we take pictures of the wood pellet in each burning mode. The volume of a burning wood pellet can then be calculated by image processing. The difference between the calculation method using image processing and the direct measurement of a burning wood pellet in gasification mode is less than 8.8%. In gasification mode in this research, mass reduction of the wood pellet is 37% and volume reduction of the wood pellet is 7%. Whereas in charcoal burning mode, mass reduction of the wood pellet is 10% and volume reduction of the wood pellet is 41%. By measuring volume using image processing, continuous and non-interruptive volume measurements for various solid fuels are possible and can provide more detailed information for CFD (computational fluid dynamics) analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Chars: Elaboration, Characterization and Applications)
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3750 KiB  
Article
Dielectric Properties of Biomass/Biochar Mixtures at Microwave Frequencies
by Candice Ellison, Murat Sean McKeown, Samir Trabelsi and Dorin Boldor
Energies 2017, 10(4), 502; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10040502 - 09 Apr 2017
Cited by 37 | Viewed by 6876
Abstract
Material dielectric properties are important for understanding their response to microwaves. Carbonaceous materials are considered good microwave absorbers and can be mixed with dry biomasses, which are otherwise low-loss materials, to improve the heating efficiency of biomass feedstocks. In this study, dielectric properties [...] Read more.
Material dielectric properties are important for understanding their response to microwaves. Carbonaceous materials are considered good microwave absorbers and can be mixed with dry biomasses, which are otherwise low-loss materials, to improve the heating efficiency of biomass feedstocks. In this study, dielectric properties of pulverized biomass and biochar mixtures are presented from 0.5 GHz to 20 GHz at room temperature. An open-ended coaxial-line dielectric probe and vector network analyzer were used to measure dielectric constant and dielectric loss factor. Results show a quadratic increase of dielectric constant and dielectric loss with increasing biochar content. In measurements on biochar, a strong dielectric relaxation is observed at 8 GHz as indicated by a peak in dielectric loss factor at that frequency. Biochar is found to be a good microwave absorber and mixtures of biomass and biochar can be utilized to increase microwave heating rates for high temperature microwave processing of biomass feedstocks. These data can be utilized for design, scale-up and simulation of microwave heating processes of biomass, biochar, and their mixtures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Chars: Elaboration, Characterization and Applications)
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3289 KiB  
Article
Thermal Properties of Biochars Derived from Waste Biomass Generated by Agricultural and Forestry Sectors
by Xing Yang, Hailong Wang, Peter James Strong, Song Xu, Shujuan Liu, Kouping Lu, Kuichuan Sheng, Jia Guo, Lei Che, Lizhi He, Yong Sik Ok, Guodong Yuan, Ying Shen and Xin Chen
Energies 2017, 10(4), 469; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10040469 - 02 Apr 2017
Cited by 83 | Viewed by 7720
Abstract
Waste residues produced by agricultural and forestry industries can generate energy and are regarded as a promising source of sustainable fuels. Pyrolysis, where waste biomass is heated under low-oxygen conditions, has recently attracted attention as a means to add value to these residues. [...] Read more.
Waste residues produced by agricultural and forestry industries can generate energy and are regarded as a promising source of sustainable fuels. Pyrolysis, where waste biomass is heated under low-oxygen conditions, has recently attracted attention as a means to add value to these residues. The material is carbonized and yields a solid product known as biochar. In this study, eight types of biomass were evaluated for their suitability as raw material to produce biochar. Material was pyrolyzed at either 350 °C or 500 °C and changes in ash content, volatile solids, fixed carbon, higher heating value (HHV) and yield were assessed. For pyrolysis at 350 °C, significant correlations (p < 0.01) between the biochars’ ash and fixed carbon content and their HHVs were observed. Masson pine wood and Chinese fir wood biochars pyrolyzed at 350 °C and the bamboo sawdust biochar pyrolyzed at 500 °C were suitable for direct use in fuel applications, as reflected by their higher HHVs, higher energy density, greater fixed carbon and lower ash contents. Rice straw was a poor substrate as the resultant biochar contained less than 60% fixed carbon and a relatively low HHV. Of the suitable residues, carbonization via pyrolysis is a promising technology to add value to pecan shells and Miscanthus. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Chars: Elaboration, Characterization and Applications)
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2322 KiB  
Article
Optimization of a Bubbling Fluidized Bed Plant for Low-Temperature Gasification of Biomass
by María Pilar González-Vázquez, Roberto García, Covadonga Pevida and Fernando Rubiera
Energies 2017, 10(3), 306; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10030306 - 04 Mar 2017
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 5615
Abstract
Investigation into clean energies has been focused on finding an alternative to fossil fuels in order to reduce global warming while at the same time satisfying the world’s energy needs. Biomass gasification is seen as a promising thermochemical conversion technology as it allows [...] Read more.
Investigation into clean energies has been focused on finding an alternative to fossil fuels in order to reduce global warming while at the same time satisfying the world’s energy needs. Biomass gasification is seen as a promising thermochemical conversion technology as it allows useful gaseous products to be obtained from low-energy-density solid fuels. Air–steam mixtures are the most commonly used gasification agents. The gasification performances of several biomass samples and their mixtures were compared. One softwood (pine) and one hardwood (chestnut), their torrefied counterparts, and other Spanish-based biomass wastes such as almond shell, olive stone, grape and olive pomaces or cocoa shell were tested, and their behaviors at several different stoichiometric ratios (SR) and steam/air ratios (S/A) were compared. The optimum SR was found to be in the 0.2–0.3 range for S/A = 75/25. At these conditions a syngas stream with 35% of H2 + CO and a gas yield of 2 L gas/g fuel were obtained, which represents a cold-gas efficiency of almost 50%. The torrefaction process does not significantly affect the quality of the product syngas. Some of the obtained chars were analyzed to assess their use as precursors for catalysts, combustion fuel or for agricultural purposes such as soil amendment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Chars: Elaboration, Characterization and Applications)
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789 KiB  
Article
The Production of Engineered Biochars in a Vertical Auger Pyrolysis Reactor for Carbon Sequestration
by Patrick Brassard, Stéphane Godbout, Vijaya Raghavan, Joahnn H. Palacios, Michèle Grenier and Dan Zegan
Energies 2017, 10(3), 288; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10030288 - 28 Feb 2017
Cited by 48 | Viewed by 7104
Abstract
Biomass pyrolysis and the valorization of co-products (biochar, bio-oil, syngas) could be a sustainable management solution for agricultural and forest residues. Depending on its properties, biochar amended to soil could improve fertility. Moreover, biochar is expected to mitigate climate change by reducing soil [...] Read more.
Biomass pyrolysis and the valorization of co-products (biochar, bio-oil, syngas) could be a sustainable management solution for agricultural and forest residues. Depending on its properties, biochar amended to soil could improve fertility. Moreover, biochar is expected to mitigate climate change by reducing soil greenhouse gas emissions, if its C/N ratio is lower than 30, and sequestrating carbon if its O/Corg and H/Corg ratios are lower than 0.2 and 0.7, respectively. However, the yield and properties of biochar are influenced by biomass feedstock and pyrolysis operating parameters. The objective of this research study was to validate an approach based on the response surface methodology, to identify the optimal pyrolysis operating parameters (temperature, solid residence time, and carrier gas flowrate), in order to produce engineered biochars for carbon sequestration. The pyrolysis of forest residues, switchgrass, and the solid fraction of pig manure, was carried out in a vertical auger reactor following a Box-Behnken design, in order to develop response surface models. The optimal pyrolysis operating parameters were estimated to obtain biochar with the lowest H/Corg and O/Corg ratios. Validation pyrolysis experiments confirmed that the selected approach can be used to accurately predict the optimal operating parameters for producing biochar with the desired properties to sequester carbon. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Chars: Elaboration, Characterization and Applications)
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3093 KiB  
Article
Reduction of Furfural to Furfuryl Alcohol in Liquid Phase over a Biochar-Supported Platinum Catalyst
by Ariadna Fuente-Hernández, Roland Lee, Nicolas Béland, Ingrid Zamboni and Jean-Michel Lavoie
Energies 2017, 10(3), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10030286 - 28 Feb 2017
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 8450
Abstract
In this work, the liquid phase hydrogenation of furfural has been studied using a biochar-supported platinum catalyst in a batch reactor. Reactions were performed between 170 °C and 320 °C, using 3 wt % and 5 wt % of Pt supported on a [...] Read more.
In this work, the liquid phase hydrogenation of furfural has been studied using a biochar-supported platinum catalyst in a batch reactor. Reactions were performed between 170 °C and 320 °C, using 3 wt % and 5 wt % of Pt supported on a maple-based biochar under hydrogen pressure varying from 500 psi to 1500 psi for reaction times between 1 h and 6 h in various solvents. Under all reactive conditions, furfural conversion was significant, whilst under specific conditions furfuryl alcohol (FA) was obtained in most cases as the main product showing a selectivity around 80%. Other products as methylfuran (MF), furan, and trace of tetrahydrofuran (THF) were detected. Results showed that the most efficient reaction conditions involved a 3% Pt load on biochar and operations for 2 h at 210 °C and 1500 psi using toluene as solvent. When used repetitively, the catalyst showed deactivation although only a slight variation in selectivity toward FA at the optimal experimental conditions was observed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Chars: Elaboration, Characterization and Applications)
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2550 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Micronized Charcoal for Use in a Liquid Fuel Slurry
by John M. Long and Michael D. Boyette
Energies 2017, 10(1), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10010025 - 27 Dec 2016
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4517
Abstract
Yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) was chosen as the woody biomass for the production of charcoal for use in a liquid fuel slurry. Charcoal produced from this biomass resulted in a highly porous structure similar to the parent material. Micronized particles were [...] Read more.
Yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) was chosen as the woody biomass for the production of charcoal for use in a liquid fuel slurry. Charcoal produced from this biomass resulted in a highly porous structure similar to the parent material. Micronized particles were produced from this charcoal using a multi-step milling process and verified using a scanning electron microscope and laser diffraction system. Charcoal particles greater than 50 µm exhibited long needle shapes much like the parent biomass while particles less than 50 µm were produced with aspect ratios closer to unity. Laser diffraction measurements indicated D10, D50, and D90 values of 4.446 µm, 15.83 µm, and 39.69 µm, respectively. Moisture content, ash content, absolute density, and energy content values were also measured for the charcoal particles produced. Calculated volumetric energy density values for the charcoal particles exceeded the No. 2 diesel fuel that would be displaced in a liquid fuel slurry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Chars: Elaboration, Characterization and Applications)
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1137 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Two Types of Biochars on the Efficacy, Emission, Degradation, and Adsorption of the Fumigant Methyl Isothiocyanate
by Wensheng Fang, Aocheng Cao, Dongdong Yan, Dawei Han, Bin Huang, Jun Li, Xiaoman Liu, Meixia Guo and Qiuxia Wang
Energies 2017, 10(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10010016 - 23 Dec 2016
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4284
Abstract
Biochar (BC) is increasingly applied in agriculture; however, due to its adsorption and degradation properties, biochar may also affect the efficacy of fumigant in amended soil. Our research is intended to study the effects of two types of biochars (BC-1 and BC-2) on [...] Read more.
Biochar (BC) is increasingly applied in agriculture; however, due to its adsorption and degradation properties, biochar may also affect the efficacy of fumigant in amended soil. Our research is intended to study the effects of two types of biochars (BC-1 and BC-2) on the efficacy and emission of methyl isothiocyanate (MITC) in biochar amendment soil. Both types of biochars can significantly reduce MITC emission losses, but, at the same time, decrease the concentration of MITC in the soil. The efficacy of MITC for controlling soil-borne pests (Meloidogyne spp., Fusarium spp. Phytophthora spp., Abutilon theophrasti and Digitaria sanguinalis) was reduced when the biochar (BC-1 and BC-2) was applied at a rate of higher than 1% and 0.5% (on a weight basis) (on a weight basis), respectively. However, increased doses of dazomet (DZ) were able to offset decreases in the efficacy of MITC in soils amended with biochars. Biochars with strong adsorption capacity (such as BC-1) substantially reduced MITC degradation rate by 6.2 times, and increased by 4.1 times following amendment with biochar with high degradability (e.g., BC-2), compared to soil without biochar amendment. This is due to the adsorption and degradation of biochar that reduces MITC emission losses and pest control. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Chars: Elaboration, Characterization and Applications)
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2886 KiB  
Article
Effects of Biochar Amendment on Chloropicrin Adsorption and Degradation in Soil
by Pengfei Liu, Qiuxia Wang, Dongdong Yan, Wensheng Fang, Liangang Mao, Dong Wang, Yuan Li, Canbin Ouyang, Meixia Guo and Aocheng Cao
Energies 2016, 9(11), 869; https://doi.org/10.3390/en9110869 - 26 Oct 2016
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4674
Abstract
The characteristics of biochar vary with pyrolysis temperature. Chloropicrin (CP) is an effective fumigant for controlling soil-borne pests. This study investigated the characteristics of biochars prepared at 300, 500, and 700 °C by michelia alba (Magnolia denudata) wood and evaluated their [...] Read more.
The characteristics of biochar vary with pyrolysis temperature. Chloropicrin (CP) is an effective fumigant for controlling soil-borne pests. This study investigated the characteristics of biochars prepared at 300, 500, and 700 °C by michelia alba (Magnolia denudata) wood and evaluated their capacity to adsorb CP. The study also determined the potential influence of biochar, which was added to sterilized and unsterilized soils at rates of 0%, 1%, 5%, and 100%, on CP degradation. The specific surface area, pore volume, and micropores increased considerably with an increase in the pyrolytic temperature. The adsorption rate of biochar for CP increased with increasing pyrolytic temperature. The maximum adsorption amounts of CP were similar for the three biochars. Next, the study examined the degradation ability of the biochar for CP. The degradation rate constant (k) of CP increased when biochar was added to the soil, and k increased with increased amendment rate and pyrolysis temperature. The results indicate that biochar can accelerate CP degradation in soil. The findings will be instructive in using biochar as a new fertilizer in fumigating soil with CP. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Chars: Elaboration, Characterization and Applications)
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Article
An Innovative Agro-Forestry Supply Chain for Residual Biomass: Physicochemical Characterisation of Biochar from Olive and Hazelnut Pellets
by Ilaria Zambon, Fabrizio Colosimo, Danilo Monarca, Massimo Cecchini, Francesco Gallucci, Andrea Rosario Proto, Richard Lord and Andrea Colantoni
Energies 2016, 9(7), 526; https://doi.org/10.3390/en9070526 - 09 Jul 2016
Cited by 53 | Viewed by 7018
Abstract
Concerns about climate change and food productivity have spurred interest in biochar, a form of charred organic material typically used in agriculture to improve soil productivity and as a means of carbon sequestration. An innovative approach in agriculture is the use of agro-forestry [...] Read more.
Concerns about climate change and food productivity have spurred interest in biochar, a form of charred organic material typically used in agriculture to improve soil productivity and as a means of carbon sequestration. An innovative approach in agriculture is the use of agro-forestry waste for the production of soil fertilisers for agricultural purposes and as a source of energy. A common agricultural practice is to burn crop residues in the field to produce ashes that can be used as soil fertilisers. This approach is able to supply plants with certain nutrients, such as Ca, K, Mg, Na, B, S, and Mo. However, the low concentration of N and P in the ashes, together with the occasional presence of heavy metals (Ni, Pb, Cd, Se, Al, etc.), has a negative effect on soil and, therefore, crop productivity. This work describes the opportunity to create an innovative supply chain from agricultural waste biomass. Olive (Olea europaea) and hazelnut (Corylus avellana) pruning residues represent a major component of biomass waste in the area of Viterbo (Italy). In this study, we evaluated the production of biochar from these residues. Furthermore, a physicochemical characterisation of the produced biochar was performed to assess the quality of the two biochars according to the standards of the European Biochar Certificate (EBC). The results of this study indicate the cost-effective production of high-quality biochar from olive and hazelnut biomass residues. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Chars: Elaboration, Characterization and Applications)
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