Thermo-chemical treatment of natural biomass feedstock, such as pyrolysis, can produce value-added biochar, a carbonaceous solid product. The biochar has been used as a soil amendment to improve soil quality and sequester carbon. Biochar can also be used as an adsorbent to reduce malodorous emissions from livestock operations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the odor removal potential of various biochars, made from different biomass feedstocks and process conditions. Both plant- and animal manure-based biomass feedstocks were pyrolyzed at 350 oC and 500 oC. Some of these were also partially activated with steam at 700 oC. The biochar samples were then analyzed for their chemical elemental compositions, volatile matter, fixed carbon, ash contents, density, and surface areas. Sorption capacities of these biochar were evaluated using a continuous flow sorption column system. Odorous volatile organic compounds (VOCs), phenolic, and indoles along with S containing compounds were analyzed with GC/MS. Headspace gas from a tank containing raw swine manure was introduced at 300 mL/min into a sorption column containing 10 g of biochar. Sorption capacities of these biochar samples for each different odorous compounds will be presented at the meeting.

Swine odor removal with biochar

251st National Meeting (2016)

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