Physicochemistry and Utilization of Wood Vinegar from Carbonization of Tropical Biomass Waste

Abstract

Pyroligneous acid also called wood vinegar is an aqueous liquid produced from pyrolysis of lignocellulose waste and biomass. In general, the pyrolysis types are classified base on heating rate mainly either fast or slow pyrolysis. The characteristic and properties of wood vinegar are primarily influenced by the type of carbonaceous feedstocks as well as the production techniques. Wood vinegar is a complex mixture of polar and non-polar chemicals with various molecular weights and compositions. Its major constituent is water (80-90%). Some physical properties; such as pH, specific gravity, dissolved tar content are, respectively, within the range of 2-4, 1.005-1.016 g/mL, 0.23-0.89% wt, and color, odor and transparency have been reported. In addition, the degree of o Brix was ranged between 1.7 and 6.6. Besides water, the chemical compositions of wood vinegars consisted of acetic acid with the largest component (30.45-70.60 mg.mL À1). A high number of phenol derivatives have been found and those in higher concentrations were 4-propyl-2-methoxyphenol (5-11 mg.mL À1) followed by 2-methylphenol (2-4 mg.mL À1). Wood vinegar has been regarded as a natural product, which claimed to be capable in several fields of application. In agriculture, wood vinegar has been used in vegetable cropping in order to combat disease, pest control, improve growth and fruit quality, seed germination accelerator as well as herbicide. In pharmaceutical and medical applications, it is used for the preparation of detoxification pad while in veterinary and animal production, incorporation of the wood vinegar in feed could promote acidity in large intestine to inhibit growth of enteropathogenic microbes. In food processing, wood vinegar has a characteristic smoke flavor, and also exhibits microbial growth inhibition. In addition, several investigators reported that bio-oil and wood vinegar obtained from fast pyrolysis and carbonization showed a high potential on organic wood preservative. In summary, the wood vinegar prepared from the tropical wood and/or biomass waste is widely beneficial. The chapter attempts to provide essential knowledge relevant to physicochemical characteristics of wood vinegar and its applications.

Production and Applications of Biomass-Derived Graphene-Like Materials

“…Carbonization can be defined as a conversion of biomass precursors into a highly carbonaceous, charcoal-like material where it will be heated in an oxygen-free or oxygen-limited environment, and the reaction conditions are tailored to maximize the char production [23]. However, lower carbonization temperature (<500 C) [24] is much preferred for a high amount of char produced because slow heating will make the precursors decompose in an orderly manner. In addition, this process will form a stable molecule with richer carbon content and converging toward the hexagonal structure of graphitic carbon [25].…”

Pyrolysis acid as sustainable wood preservative against rot fungi

“…7 The main proportion of PA is water (80-90%) and the rest consists of organic compounds comprising organic acids, alkane, phenolic, alcohol, and ester. 3,4 It was reported that the crude PA yield from sawdust of Chinese fir increased with an increase in pyrolysis temperature from 250 to 550 °C. 8 However, the yield of the refined wood vinegar increased until a temperature of 350 °C was reached and then decreased.…”

“…2 If the container is left for about 3 months without shaking, three phases are formed, with different weights: they include wood tar at the bottom, crude wood vinegar (also called pyroligneous acid) in the middle, and a thin layer of light oil at the top. 3 Most of the reports on the production and application of PA have been from East and Southeast Asian countries; where wood vinegar is traditionally used for a variety of purposes with a long history in farming to enhance crop and soil productivity as well as a pesticide. 2,4 Pyrolysis acid is achievable from any biomass types but it is generally obtained from the wood of broad leaf species or bamboo.…”

“…12 A large number of studies and research projects have evaluated the use of PA in agriculture to clarify its current and potential applications as pesticide, crop enhancer, inducer of seed germination, and soil fertilizer and conditioner. [2][3][4][5][6] However, only a few reports are available regarding the potential use of PA as wood protectant against termites and fungi: Adfa et al (2020) found that the wood vinegar (tar-free PA) from Cinnamomum parthenoxylon (a board leave tree) is potentially an effective preservative against subterranean termites and wood-rotting fungi. 13 Oramahi et al (2013Oramahi et al ( , 2018) also reported the antifungal and anti-termite activity of crude PA (obtained at 350, 400, and 450 °C) from Vitex pubescens and oil palm trunk using in vitro tests.…”

Efecto del ácido Piroleñoso en la germinación de Sandía, Cocona y Cacao en el Distrito de San Gabán, Carabaya

“…El ácido piroleñoso también llamado vinagre de madera es un líquido acuoso producido a partir de la pirolisis de biomasa como sub producto de la obtención de carbón, se obtiene por la condensación del humo generados durante la pirolisis de la biomasa de 450 -600 °C, este líquido tiene un ahumado especial, el olor y el color son de amarillo claro a marrón (Theapparat, Chandumpai y Faroongsarng, 2018).…”