Engineering Commons^™

Conference Program, Franco Berruti, Ondrej Masek, Raffaella Ocone

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

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Biochar: From Ligno-Cellulosic Materials To Engineered Products For Environmental Services, Manuel Garcia-Perez

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

Abstract is not available.

Behavioral Factors Affecting The Adoption Of Biochar Of Farmers In Canada, Maren Oelbermann

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

Biochar is a promising carbon-based soil amendment with ancient, South American roots. Despite its long history, research surrounding its use in modern agriculture has only just begun in North America. There are several studies examining biochar in soil, ranging from its effects on nutrient and water retention to the way it affects earthworms and other organisms. However, our understanding on the socioeconomic implications of using biochar as a soil amendment in temperate agriculture remains scarce. Our research aims to fill this gap through semi-structured interviews with farmers and the completion of an economic analysis based on market values of biochar …

Life Cycle Assessment Of Biochar Production From Southern Pine, Sudhagar Mani, Yu Qiu

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

Biochar, a major co-product from the pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass is rich in carbon and is often used as a soil amendment to promote crop production and as a soil carbon sequestration medium to maintain long-term soil health of marginal lands. Pyrolysis is the thermal decomposition of biomass in the absence of oxygen to primarily produce bio-oil with biochar being a co-product. Biochar is also primarily produced from wood logs using conventional carbonization methods (eg. Missouri kilns). For sustainable production of biochar, the most sustainable production route is important for large-scale production of biochar for soil carbon sequestration applications. The …

Developing A Method Of Accounting For The Material Use Of Biomass/Biochar And Its Positive Side Benefits Within The Company Carbon Footprint: A Case Study At Hochschule Geisenheim University, Georg Ardissone, Claudia Kammann

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

The federal state of Hesse announced the aim to achieve a „CO₂-neutral administration“. In this context, the carbon footprint (CF) of the 16 universities in the federal area has been accounted. The CF by common units (kg CO₂ per student or square meter) of the Hochschule Geisenheim University (HGU) is comparably high, due to the campus’ structure with (monument protected) building stock, a big share of greenhouses integrated into the campus and a comparably small number of students (Müller & Person, 2015, S. 27ff).

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Evaluation Of The Long-Term Effects Of Pre-Conditioned Biochar On Soil Organic Carbon In Temperate Soils Using The Century Soil Organic Matter Model, Maren Oelbermann

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

Biochar contains a limited quantity of available mineral nutrients, requiring its addition in large quantities, in temperate soils, and in association with nitrogen (N) fertilizer and/or manure. Alternatively, biochar could be pre-conditioned with urea ammonium nitrate (UAN-enriched biochar), requiring lower inputs of biochar. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term (150 years) impact of the addition of UAN-enriched biochar on soil organic carbon (SOC), and soil active, slow and passive carbon (C) fractions compared to other commonly used agroecosystem management practices in a coarse and medium textured soil using the Century Soil Organic Matter Model.

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Overview Of Biochar For Electrochemistry Applications, Capucine Dupont

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

Abstract is not available.

Pyrolytic Temperature Evaluation Of Macauba Biochar For Uranium Adsorption From Aqueous Solutions, Sabine Neusatz Guilhen, Nilce Ortiz, Denise Alves Fungaro, Ondrej Masek

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

Macauba (Acrocomia aculeata) is a palm tree native to the tropical regions of America. In Brazil, it is prevalent in the savannah, known as “cerrado”. A valuable natural and renewable source of vegetable oil for food and cosmetic industries (nut oil) and for biodiesel (mesocarp oil), macauba has the potential to become the new “green gold” of Brazil, not only for its oil quality, but because it could solely be destined for commercial purposes, since it doesn’t compete with food market industry such as soybean and sugar cane. The dark stiff part that protects the nut, called “endocarp”, is generated …

Thermal Evolution Of Biochar And Its Physicochemical Properties During Hydrothermal Gasification, Sonil Nanda, Ajay K. Dalai, Franco Berruti, Janusz A. Kozinski

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

Biochar is a recalcitrant carbonaceous material obtained from pyrolysis and gasification of biomass and other biogenic wastes. Some of the promising biochar applications to be discussed in this presentation includes char gasification and combustion for energy production, soil remediation, carbon sequestration, catalysis, and development of activated carbon and specialty materials with biomedical and industrial uses. Several factors such as pyrolysis/gasification temperature, heating rates and residence time are the limiting factors that determine the biochar properties such as fixed carbon, volatile matter, mineral matter, surface area, porosity and pore size distribution, alkalinity, electrical conductivity, cation-exchange capacity, etc. This paper will comprehensively …

Can Biochar Link Forest Restoration With Commercial Agriculture?, David C. Smith, Kristin Trippe

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

For the potential benefits of biochar to be fully realized, it must be produced economically in high volumes and close to stable markets. The author is part of a research team conducting an examination of the economic feasibility of linking forest restoration with commercial agriculture in a specific region of Oregon, USA through large-scale production of biochar made from forest biomass at a dedicated plant site. The focus of this presentation is the biochar production economics and carbon impacts associated with two different biochar conversion technologies, four different biochar plant configuration scenarios, and 2 potential plant locations.

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The Influence Of Biochar On Soil Characteristics In A Temperate Agroecosystem, Maren Oelbermann

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

While biochar as a soil amendment is not a novel concept, the addition of biochar to temperate agricultural soils represents a relatively new territory. The objectives of this study were to evaluate soil characteristics in a conventional temperate agricultural production system amended with biochar under a maize (Zea mays) crop in southern Ontario, Canada. The treatments include: poultry manure (6 t/ha) and nitrogen fertilizer (135 kg/ha) (MN); manure (3t/ha) and biochar (3t/ha) (MB); and manure (3 t/ha), fertilizer (urea) (135 kg/ha) and biochar (3 t/ha) (MNB).

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Characteristic Studies On The Waste Biomass-Based Biochars Produced By Fast Pyrolysis, Ramin Azargohar, Sonil Nanda, Janusz A. Kozinski, Ajay K. Dalai, Ronny Sutarto

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

Biochar, as carbonaceous product obtained from pyrolysis of biomass, has many applications in diverse areas due to its versatile physicochemical properties. Non-food biomass has a great potential to produce biochars. In the present study, pinewood sawdust (forest residue), wheat straw and flax straw (agricultural residues), and poultry litter (livestock manure) were used as precursors for pyrolysis. Focus of this study was on the effects of fast pyrolysis temperature (400, 475, and 550 ^oC) on the characteristics of biochars produced by means of a mobile pyrolysis unit. Different characterization techniques are used to study the physical, chemical, and structural characteristics …

Arsenic Removal From Drinking Water By Means Of Low Cost Biochars Derived From Miscanthus And Coconut Shell, Tommaso Marengo, Silvia Fiore, Cedric Briens, Franco Berruti

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

Arsenic is a toxic metalloid highly diffused in groundwater because of natural and anthropogenic factors (mainly deriving from mining activities and pesticides). Inorganic arsenic compounds are classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in Group I (proven carcinogen). Groundwater concentration of As may vary from 0.5 to 5000 μg/L taking into account more than 70 Countries around the world. The most polluted groundwater of the planet was identified in late 1990s in Bengal delta (Bangladesh and Indian region West Bengal).

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Effect Of Biochar Addition On Carbon Dioxide And Nitrous Oxide Emissions From A Temperate Agricultural Soil, Maren Oelbermann

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

Amending intensively managed temperate soils with biochar is a more recent approach to agriculture, with research is still in its infancy. A knowledge gap remains on the effect of biochar on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as most studies conducted to date were short-term (<4 months) in the field or used laboratory incubations; neither of which capture temporal variations in emissions. Therefore the objective of this study was to evaluate soil CO₂ and N₂O emissions in a conventional agricultural production system amended with biochar and under a maize (Zea mays) crop in southern Ontario, Canada.

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Adsorption Of Ammonium (Nh4+) Ions Onto Various Vietnamese Biomass Residue-Derived Biochars (Wood, Rice Husk And Bamboo), Nguyen Van Hien, Eugenia Valsami-Jones, Nguyen Cong Vinh, Tong Thi Phu, Nguyen Thi Thanh Tam, Iseult Lynch

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

This study evaluates adsorption of ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) ions onto various biochars produced from biomass residues in Vietnam as a function of their physicochemical characteristics. Three biochars, including wood biochar (WBC), rice husk biochar (RBC), and bamboo biochar (BBC), were produced under limited oxygen conditions using Top-Lid Updraft Drum technology at temperatures of 450-550oC. Physicochemical characterization (BET surface area, Cation exchange capacity (CEC), Scanning Electron Microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) of the biochars was performed in order to link their porosity and surface functional groups with their NH4+-N capture capacities.

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The Effects Of Biochar As A Soil Amendment On Soil Quality And Plant Growth, Ok-Youn Yu

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

Biochar is a stable form of recalcitrant carbon created by heating biomass in a low or no oxygen environment. When used as a soil amendment, biochar forms a dynamic substrate which provides numerous benefits, including increasing nutrient availability, increasing soil water retention, improving crop yield, and sequestering carbon for hundreds to thousands of years. However, biochar's effectiveness largely depends on the biomass feedstock and the soil to which it is applied. Individual biochars made from different feedstocks perform differently against each other, and the magnitudes of their effects can be dependent on many factors within the soil. Testing different feedstocks …

Microwave Characterization And Shielding Properties Of Biochar Based Polymers And Cements, Patrizia Savi

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

Abstract is not available.

Biochar-Ammonium Phosphate As An Uncoated-Slow Release Fertilizer In Sandy Soil, Haytham Elsharkawi

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

The invention relates to an ecofertilizer including a granular Biochar-Ammonium Phosphate (BAP) fertilizer utilizing by biochar as a renewable support grid. In this study we assessed the impact of two types of uncoated-slow release fertilizer in two types of Biochar-Ammonium Phosphate (BAP1&BAP2) on nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and N losses in leachate water compared with chemical N fertilizer (ammonium phosphate, AP). Additionally the Surface Morphology of biochar, BAP1 and BAP2 fertilizer were investigated by SEM and FT-IR. SEM and FT-IR confirm the phenomena of impregnation of ammonium phosphate inside the biochar's pores.

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A Novel Solution For Utilizing Liquid Fractions From Slow Pyrolysis And Hydrothermal Carbonization - Acidification Of Animal Slurry, Kimmo Rasa, Jari Hyväluoma, Hanne Wikberg, Anssi Källi, Tapio Salo, Riikka Keskinen

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

Pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) have recently gained much interest in the field of biomass processing. This is due to the process flexibility with respect to raw materials and the range of potential applications proposed for the end products. In addition to the main product, biochar, the processes yield a liquid fraction that has turned out to be challenging to productize. Considering the feasibility of the thermochemical conversion technologies, it is crucial that all the produced fractions can be utilized reasonably and no waste fractions expensive to dispose remain. In spite of active research and development work, unambiguous uses for …

Developing Biosensors As Monitoring Tools To Assess The Performance Of Biochar Amended Contaminated Soil, Bastian Saputra, Stephen Rolfe, Steve Thornton

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

The application of biochar as a soil amendment is an emerging technique for low-cost remediation of contaminated soil. The high porosity and large surface area of biochar make it suitable for adsorption of contaminants such as heavy metals (HMs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Adsorption reduces the bio-availability of contaminants to soil microorganisms thus potentially increasing soil function and productivity. Many different biochars are available which differ in key properties such as contaminant adsorption and stability. To assess biochar performance as a soil amendment we will develop bacterial biosensors to measure contaminant bioavailability and toxicity at a cellular level. Biosensors …

The Role Of Bio-Char As An Agro-Environmental Tool: Formation Mechanism And Potential For Control Water Release, Bacterial Retention And Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Waled Suliman, Manuel Garcia-Perez

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

In our poster we will present information on the relationship between biochar physico-chemical properties and its performance as a soil amendment. Experimental results will be presented to document how feedstock source and pyrolysis conditions influence biochar bulk and surface properties and what effects these properties have on greenhouse gas emissions, soil water retention and movement of bacteria in sandy soils. Three lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks (poplar wood, pine bark and pine wood) were used to produce biochars at six different pyrolysis temperatures (from 350 to 600 oC).

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Evaluation Of The Environmental Benefits Of Biochar Addition Into Concrete-Based Composites, Isabella Bianco, Mauro Giorcelli, Massimo Rovere, Alberto Tagliaferro, Gian Andrea Blengini, Silvia Bobba

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

Biochar is a carbon by-product obtained from a termochemical conversion of biomass. Currently, biochar is generally treated in biomass landfill, representing an economic and environmental cost.

Recent works focus their attention to the use of biochar as an alternative filler to produce more economic and environmental friendly composites. Some studies proved that the introduction of biochar as carbon filler can also increase mechanical [1] or electrical [2] properties. As a consequence, large scale production of composites containing biochar could have important effects both on the economic and environmental point of view.

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Carbon Sequestration Using Bio-Refinery Residues, Ondřej Mašek

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

Biomass consists of four main constituents, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and minerals. The first two, are the key targets for various conversion processes producing biofuels and chemicals, leaving behind different forms of lignin, depending on extraction process used.

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Evaluating The Potential Of Biochar For Reducing Bioavailable Heavy Metal Fractions In Polluted Soil, Rosa I. Soria, Raisa Tjarinto, Stephen A. Rolfe, Steven F. Thornton

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

Previous studies have proposed biochar as a natural adsorbent material with potential to be used in the remediation of polluted soils. Its application for adsorption of pollutants may reduce the bioavailability of harmful compounds in the soil media by limiting its chemical distribution and reducing the risk of uptake by organisms. Therefore, biochar has been suggested for the attenuation of heavy metals (HMs) in soil, minimizing the possibility of accumulation through the trophic chain (Figure ).

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Agronomic Benefits And Detriments Of Using Biochar, Carlo Grignani, Raghunath Subedi, Chiara Bertora, Laura Zavattaro

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

The use of biochar, a secondary product of pyrolysis after syngas and bio-oil production for bioenergy, is promoted for agricultural purposes. Its potential for C sequestration and greenhouse gas emission reduction can help for mitigating climate change and potential adverse impacts to ecosystems. Additionally, it represents an alternative means for containing water and atmospheric pollution ascribed to large volumes of crop and animal wastes. As a soil amendment, biochar has received increased interest due to its role in enhancing nutrient- and water-use efficiencies.

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Biochar And Ash Amendment Effects On Mine Reclamation In The Boreal Forest, Jillian M.H. Bieser, Sean C. Thomas

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

Natural re-vegetation of gold mine tailings, the main waste products of ore processing for gold extraction consisting of crushed rock, is difficult due to their high bioavailability of heavy metals, low nutrient status and limited organic carbon 1-3. Charcoal produced from the burning of organic matter through controlled pyrolysis, hereafter referred to as ‘biochar’, has been utilized extensively in agriculture as a climate-friendly option to remediate nutrient-poor and contaminated soils 4,5. Biochar produced from wood is highly recalcitrant, has a large surface area due to its porous structure and can bind nutrients and water, improving soil fertility 5-7. Biochar can …

Biochar For Pollutant Removal From Aqueous Solutions, Hamid Trimech, Anastasia Colomba, Franco Berruti, Raffaella Ocone

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

Biochar can be utilised to transfer carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into soils. It can also be used for soil enhancement, due to its attitude to hold water and retain nutrients in soil by adsorbing NH4+ and PO43- ions. Due to its adsorbing capacity, biochar finds applications in removal of pollutants such as ammonia, mercury and organic compounds from waste water.

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Monolithic Biochar As Electrode In Supercapacitor, Charles Q. Jia, Johnathon N. Caguiat, Donald W. Kirk

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

Biochar produced from woody biomass can retain the characteristics of structural elements in the wood such as vessels and tracheids. In this study, we examined theses characteristics and explored the potential of hardwood-derived monolithic biochar as electrode material in supercapacitor. Also known as electrochemical double layer capacitor (EDLC), supercapacitor is a fast-charging, long-lasting electrical energy storage device that can be used to enhance the efficiency of alternative energy systems.

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Which Policy For Biochar Deployment In Southern Eu? An Integrated Approach Is Possible, David Chiaramonti

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

The scope of the present paper is to address possible policy schemes that could potentially enable widespread diffusion of biochar in the EU Mediterranean area. In fact, despite the rapid development of biochar technologies and processes, the actual exploitation is mostly dependent on the actual support scheme that is in place. However, one single support instrument will unlikely be sufficient to cover the costs connected to biochar production and use: moreover, developing totally new policy instruments is a very long and time consuming process. The approach of the present work is to investigate the possibility of combining different EU policies …

Biochar Quality Management, Ataullah Khan, Don Harfield, Bruce Hillen, Fabian Stenzel, Andreas Homung

BIO-CHAR: Production, Characterization and Applications

Biochar is a structurally heterogeneous material, which can be obtained from a wide range of feedstocks including forestry, agricultural, livestock manure, and municipal residues. The availability of multiple feedstocks with different quality grades and the wide variation in process conditions employed in biochar production create a quality control challenge. Therefore it is apt to say that “Not All Biochars are Created Equal” through proper feedstock selection, pyrolysis process optimization, and selective post-treatment, the desired characteristics/properties can be tailored to suite a particular application of interest.

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