The Importance Of Standard Biochar

Biochar and charcoal are similar materials with different purposes. Charcoal, a fuel and metal reductant,is considered to be the oldest man-made material. The advantage of charcoal is that it burns with less smoke, which is advantageous when cooking indoors. In addition, charcoal burns hotter than wood, which allows it to be used for metal forming, such as in blacksmithing.

Adsorption is a pivotal property that distinguishes biochar from other carbon-rich natural products. Adsorption also distinguishes superior biochars from less effective “agricultural charcoals”. Since biochar is so new, there are no analytical methods developed specifically to measure adsorption in biochar, nor any experience base to relate adsorption to biochar impact when added to growing system. Thus,  urgently needed the standard biochars. Following paper will give analytical options for biochar adsorption and surface area, please go here.

Why Use Pyrolysis to MSW Treatment?

The main difference between the pyrolysis, gasification and incineration: the amount of oxygen that is supplied to thermal reactors. Pyrolysis has advantages in producing gas or oil products from waste that can be used as fuel for its process of pyrolysis.

Quantitatively differences between the pyrolysis, gasification and combustion: based on the needs of the air needed during the process, i.e. as follows
-If the amount of air: fuel (AFR, air-fuel ratio) = 0, then the process is called pyrolysis.
-If the AFR <1.5 then the process is called gasification.
-If the AFR> 1.5 then it is called the combustion process

Pyrolysis have a number of advantages are as follows:
-Lower temperature process (400-800 C) so the smaller the investment costs
-Flue-gas emissions below the required threshold.
-All the pyrolysis products have economic value.So that the sustainability of MSW processing is not only dependent on the tipping fee, but rather on the sale of the pyrolysis products.

-Pyrolysis can adjust to the type of feedstock such as pyrolysis of plastic will result in major product syn crude oil, pyrolysis of scrap tires will be produced also syn crude oil, carbon black and syn gas, and so other feedstock. The use according to type of feedstock will increase the economic value of the resulting product significantly. In process aspects this will be considered against the availability of feedstock and selling value of products produced.

Institute of Applied Energy (Tokyo) published in 2004 an analysis of stoker incinerator and pyrolysis plants operating under the same conditions. The analysis revealed that a conventional stoker grate incinerator with a steam turbine has no performance advantage over a pyrolysis plant at any scale.

Temperature Effect in Pyrolysis Process Of Charcoal Quality

Pyrolysis produces biochar, liquids and gases from biomass by heating the biomass in a low/no oxygen environment. The absence of oxygen prevents combustion. The relative yield of products from pyrolysis varies with temperature. Temperatures of 400–500 °C (752–932 °F) produce more char, while temperatures above 700 °C (1,292 °F) favor the yield of liquid and gas fuel components. Pyrolysis occurs more quickly at the higher temperatures, typically requiring seconds instead of hours. Pyrolysis also may be the most cost-effective way of producing electrical energy from biomaterial. Syngas can be burned directly, used as a fuel for gas engines and gas turbines, converted to clean diesel fuel through the Fischer–Tropsch process or potentially used in the production of methanol and hydrogen. Varying process conditions result in differences in product charcoal, gas or oil produced. Pyrolysis has advantages in producing gas or oil products from waste that can be used as fuel for the pyrolysis process itself.

Effect of carbonisation temperature on yield and composition of charcoal

Low carbonization temperatures give a higher yield of charcoal but this charcoal is low grade, is corrosive due to its content of acidic tars, and does not burn with a clean smoke-free flame. Good commercial charcoal should have a fixed carbon content of about 75% and this calls for a final carbonising temperature of around 500°C.

The yield of charcoal also shows some variation with the kind of wood or biomass. For wood there is evidence that the lignin content of the wood has a positive effect on charcoal yield. A high lignin content gives a high yield of charcoal. Therefore, mature wood in sound condition is preferred for charcoal production. Dense wood also tends to give a dense, strong charcoal, which is also desirable. However, very dense woods sometimes produce a friable charcoal because the wood tends to shatter during carbonization. The friability of charcoal increases as carbonization temperature increases and the fixed carbon content increases as the volatile matter content falls. A temperature of 450 to 500°C gives an optimum balance between friability and the desire for a high fixed carbon content.