Influence of reaction atmosphere and solvent on biochar yield and characteristics

•Influence of solvents on the production of biochar is explained.•Influence of reducing and non-reducing atmospheres in biochar yield is explained.•Comprehensive analyses of the biochar explains the reaction yields obtained.•First results on biochar produced from sunflower husks via thermochemical l...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Bioresource technology Vol. 164; pp. 177 - 183
Main Authors:	Marx, S., Chiyanzu, I., Piyo, N.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-07-2014 Elsevier
Subjects:	Atmosphere Atmospheres Biological and medical sciences Carbon dioxide Carbon Dioxide - analysis Carbonisation Charcoal - chemistry Combustion Densification Evolution Feedstock Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology Helianthus - chemistry Husks Liquefaction Nitrogen - analysis Solvent Solvents Solvents - chemistry Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Sunflowers Temperature Waste Products - analysis Husks Carbonisation Liquefaction Solvent Atmosphere Carbonization Yield Biochar
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Summary:	•Influence of solvents on the production of biochar is explained.•Influence of reducing and non-reducing atmospheres in biochar yield is explained.•Comprehensive analyses of the biochar explains the reaction yields obtained.•First results on biochar produced from sunflower husks via thermochemical liquefaction. Sunflower husks were converted to biochar via thermochemical liquefaction in different solvents and reaction atmospheres. Highest biochar yields obtained was 574gkg−1 husks. Surface area of the produced chars and evolution of aromatic compounds in the biochar structure increased with an increase in temperature. Volatile matter and N-content decreased and S-content decreased significantly with an increase in temperature which is favourable should the biochars be used for combustion. The HHV of the biochars were significantly higher than that of the feedstock as was also indicated by the energy densification ratio. The biochars compared favourable with coal on a Van Krevelen diagram, showing the possibility of the biochars for application in co-gasification. CO2 performed better in retaining the energy of the feedstock in the biochar (up to 58%). It was shown that sunflower husks are a viable feedstock for the production of biochars for application in co-gasification or combustion.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	0960-8524 1873-2976
DOI:	10.1016/j.biortech.2014.04.067