Influence of Pyrolysis Temperature on Physico-Chemical Properties of Corn Stover (Zea mays L.) Biochar and Feasibility for Carbon Capture and Energy Balance.
This study examined the influence of pyrolysis temperature on biochar characteristics and evaluated its suitability for carbon capture and energy production. Biochar was produced from corn stover using slow pyrolysis at 300, 400 and 500°C and 2 hrs holding time. The experimental biochars were characterized by elemental analysis, BET, FTIR, TGA/DTA, NMR (C-13). Higher heating value (HHV) of feedstock and biochars was measured using bomb calorimeter. Results show that carbon content of corn stover biochar increased from 45.5% to 64.5%, with increasing pyrolysis temperatures. A decrease in H:C and O:C ratios as well as volatile matter, coupled with increase in the concentration of aromatic carbon in the biochar as determined by FTIR and NMR (C-13) demonstrates a higher biochar carbon stability at 500°C. It was estimated that corn stover pyrolysed at 500°C could provide of 10.12 MJ/kg thermal energy. Pyrolysis is therefore a potential technology with its carbon-negative, energy positive and soil amendment benefits thus creating win- win scenario.
College of Pastoral Agriculture, Science and Technology Agric, Lanzhou University, 222 Tianshui South Road, Lanzhou.730000, PR China.|Directorate of Range Mgt and Forestry, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan.|State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, International Centre for Tibetan Plateau Ecosystem Management, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000 China.
Muhammad Khalid
MK
Rafiq
Malaysian Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering Technology (MICET), Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), Lot 1988, Taboh Naning,78000 Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia.
Robert Thomas
RT
Bachmann
Department of Environmental Science, International Islamic University, Islamabad, 44000 Pakistan.
Muhammad Tariq
MT
Rafiq
College of Pastoral Agriculture, Science and Technology Agric, Lanzhou University, 222 Tianshui South Road, Lanzhou.730000, PR China.|State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, International Centre for Tibetan Plateau Ecosystem Management, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000 China.
Zhanhuan
Z
Shang
School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
Stephen
S
Joseph
College of Pastoral Agriculture, Science and Technology Agric, Lanzhou University, 222 Tianshui South Road, Lanzhou.730000, PR China.|State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, International Centre for Tibetan Plateau Ecosystem Management, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000 China.
Ruijun
R
Long
D000383:Agriculture; D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis*; D066241:Carbon-13 Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D002606:Charcoal / Q000737:chemistry*; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002681:China; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D016062:Porosity; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature; D013818:Thermogravimetry; D014866:Waste Products / Q000032:analysis*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction; D003313:Zea mays / Q000737:chemistry*
D014866:Waste Products; C540010:biochar; D002606:Charcoal; D002244:Carbon