Experimental Study of Biochar Production Process Using a Pilot Carbonization Kiln as a Biofuel’s Properties Improvement Module

Abstract

Pyrolysis is a thermo-chemical process of biomass conversion to a carbon neutral or better fuels and materials from biomass. It is a thermal decomposition of organic material in a controlled (insufficient) oxygen at a high temperature thereby producing solid (biochar), liquid (oil) and gaseous products. Biochar produced during this process is a very valuable material that can be utilized as soil additive and in carbon sequestration, where the carbon can be stored (locked) in the soil. The result is improved soil structure, pH, water and nutrient retention and the mitigation of climate change. Biochar can also be utilized as biofuel in energy generation directly or converted to biomass briquettes thereby, improving its energy and economic value. Therefore, the present study, involved the production of biochar from an improvised 100 litres volume pilot carbonization kiln and experimentally studied the biochar yield. The result showed a yield of 2505g at average charring ratio of 33.9 % from 7396g of composite wastes, comprising of 1844g of mixture of Maize cob and coconut husk, 1030g of mixed vegetable stem and discarded fruits (sundried watermelon and fruits, 3321g of peeled yam, cassava peels, potatoes peels and discarded food materials, and 1201g of plantain bunches and peels. This results is an indication of good performance outcome of the carbonization kiln in biochar production for soil nutrient improvement and (or) for energy supply applications as refuse derived fuels (RDF).