Biochar, a co-product of thermo-conversion of cellulosic biomass to bio-oil, can be used to mitigate soil deficiencies and ameliorate soil environmental services. The impact of biochar as soil amendment is likely to depend on feedstock type and processing conditions. In this study we examine the effect of different types of feedstock material, pyrolysis conditions, and the impact of steam activation on biochar chemical properties. The results indicated that the biochar CaCO3 equivalent increased with temperature and with steam activation, whereas increase in macro- and micro-nutrients content was affected by steam activation. Metal enrichment was temperature dependent; however, metal solubility was feedstock, process, and metal dependent. The results of the study suggest that feedstock and pyrolysis processes markedly affect biochar properties. Management practices need to be further refined in order to assure agronomically beneficial and environmentally sound use of biochar in soil.

Feedstock and pyrolysis processes affect chemical properties of biochars

246th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.