Characterization of biomass wastes and its possibility of agriculture utilization due to biochar production by torrefaction process

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production Vol. 280; p. 124302
• Main Authors: Kwoczynski, Zdenka, Čmelík, Jiří
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 20-01-2021
• Subjects: Biochar; Biomass waste; Torrefaction; Biomass waste; Biochar; Torrefaction
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124302

The utilization of biomass waste by converting to biochar seems to be an efficient and environmental friendly way of biomass treating. Biochar is produced from biomass by low temperature pyrolysis (torrefaction). Application of biochar in agriculture as soil supplement has been recently a highly discussed topic. Lot of published works, however, deals with commodities, which are not in current disposal in Central Europe, like bamboo, rice, and so on. In this work, twelve different biomass wastes generated in the Czech Republic has been characterized in order to find out their suitability of biochar production. Primarily, these wastes are generated in the production of vegetable oil, wine, beer, sugar, flour and of wood processing. The contented main nutrients and also micronutrients were determined, simultaneously with the contents of toxic elements that disable the use of biochar in agriculture. Attention was also focused on the content of carbon bound basically in organic compounds. This content is significant and desirable, because the application of biochar will restore carbon deposit in soil. The behavior of biomass during the torrefaction process was simulated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) was performed to detect any crystalline phases other than lingo-cellulose matrix. After evaluating all the results, the sample „Extracted rapeseed scrap“ was assessed as an example of most suitable materials for biochar production due to high nutrients content and suitable thermal stability.
•Characterization of waste biomass generated in Europe, respect to biochar production.•Elemental analysis and phase analysis of biomass wastes.•Simulation of biochar production with use of thermogravimetric analysis.•Classification of biomass wastes with evaluation of their suitability for biochar.•Sample “Ex. rapeseed scrap” appears to be the most suitable material for biochar.