Experimental investigation on biochar from groundnut shell in a continuous production system

Abstract

The burning of crop residue results in numerous environmental issues and also affects human beings. Crop residue has the potential to produce considerable energy and can be converted into biochar via thermochemical routes; this conversion helps in the management and handling of biomass. This study deals with the development of a system for the continuous production of biochar by carbonization of groundnut shells at different temperatures. The developed system is capable of converting different kinds of crop residue into biochar. The carbonization chamber was heated using an industrial burner, and its thermal performance was elevated at 400, 450, and 500°C using groundnut shell as feedstock, and the amount of time the feedstock resided in the burner was limited to 4 min. The mass yields and heating value of the produced biochar were found to be highest at 400°C. Therefore, the crop residue converted into biochar and the chemical properties were assessed for this temperature. Biochar conversion efficiency was recorded at about 30%. The oxygen-to-carbon (O:C) and hydrogen-to-carbon (H:C) ratios were found to be 0.08 and 0.40 respectively. The energy required to produce 1 kg of biochar ranged from 3.70 to 4.64 MJ. The benefit-cost ratio and a payback period of the developed system were calculated to be about 1.94 and 11 months, respectively. The internal rate of return was estimated at about 121%. In the present study, the impact of carbonization upon the composition of lignocelluloses and its thermal behavior was also assessed with the help of a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA).

Electrically Conductive and Antimicrobial Agro-Food Waste Biochar Functionalized with Zinc Oxide Particles

“…The second step, observed between 200 and 380 °C, is attributed to the oxidative fast devolatilization of hemicellulose and cellulose into volatiles and char. A third peak, observed with a maximum at 454 °C, is attributed to the combustion of produced char but also to the thermal degradation of lignin, which is a more complex structure compared to hemicellulose and cellulose [ 38 ]. The fourth thermal band, between 500 and 700 °C, corresponds to the degradation of minerals already present in KBP [ 39 ].…”

Experimental Investigation of Kinetic Parameters of Bamboo and Bamboo Biochar Using Thermogravimetric Analysis Under Non-isothermal Conditions

“…Therefore, thermochemical conversion might be able to remove some of the oxygen-based chemical groups in organic waste [31]. The produced biochar had a heating value of 28.25 MJ/kg, greater than the other biochar sample produced from agro-waste [32].…”

Experimental Investigation on Energy Recovery System for Continuous Biochar Production System

“…The process heat can used for preheating of biomass which help to improve working efficiency of biochar production unit. Before this study, the gases from this biochar unit directly expel into the atmosphere [18][19][20]. These gases was utilized and bio-oil and syngas was recovered by condensing these hot gas.…”