January 2013, Vol.44:18–24, doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2012.10.017
Title
Biochar production from waste rubber-wood-sawdust and its potential use in C sequestration: Chemical and physical characterization
Author
Wan Azlina Wan Abdul Karim Ghani a,b,,
Ayaz Mohd a,c
Gabriel da Silva b
Robert T. Bachmann d
Yun H. Taufiq-Yap e
Umer Rashid f
Ala’a H. Al-Muhtaseb g,,
aDepartment of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
bDepartment of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
cSur College of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 484 Postal Code- 411, Sur - Oman
dMalaysian Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering Technology (MICET), Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Lot 1988, TabohNaning 78000 Alor Gajah, Malaysia
eCentre of Excellence for Catalysis Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
fInstitute of Advanced Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
gPetroleum and Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 33, Oman
Received 6 August 2012. Revised 13 October 2012. Accepted 15 October 2012. Available online 14 November 2012.
Abstract
Biochars have received increasing attention because of their potential environmental applications such as soil amending and atmospheric C sequestration. In this study, biochar was produced from waste rubber-wood-sawdust. The produced biochars were characterized by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) gas porosimetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Pyrolysis temperature was shown to have a strong influence on both thermal and chemical characteristic of biochar samples. The experimental data shows that the biochar samples can absorb around 5% water by mass (hydrophilic) at lower temperatures (<550 °C), and that lignin is not converted into a hydrophobic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) matrix. At higher temperatures (>650 °C), biochar samples were thermally stable and became hydrophobic due to the presence of aromatic compounds. Carbon content (over 85%) increased with increasing temperature, and showed an inverse effect to the elemental ratios of H/C and O/C. The very low H/C and O/C ratios obtained for the biochar indicated that carbon in this material is predominantly unsaturated. BET results showed that the sawdust derived biochars have surface areas between 10 and 200 m2g−1and FTIR indicated an aromatic functional group about 866 cm−1in most of the samples. The rate of CO2adsorption on sawdust derived biochar generally increased with increasing temperature from 450 to 650 °C but then decreased with increase in the production temperature. Derived biochar represents a potential alternative adsorbent for C sequestration.
Highlights
► Biochar was obtained as byproducts during pyrolysis of waste rubber-wood-sawdust. ► Elemental analysis indicated that carbon in biochar is predominantly unsaturated. ► Pyrolysis temperature strongly influences thermal and chemical characteristics. ► Derived-biochar was found as softwood structure with high surface area of 200 m2 g−1. ► Derived-biochar exhibits a CO2 adsorption capacity of 18 mg/g at 650 °C.
Corresponding author at: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
Received 25 March 2015. Revised 17 August 2015. Accepted 20 August 2015. Available online 3 September 2015.
Highlights
•
Biochar was made through fast pyrolysis of pine sawdust at 400 °C.
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Two different sandy desert soils were amended with four application rates of biochar.
•
Biochar improved hydraulic and chemical properties of sandy desert soils.
•
Biochar significantly improved sorghum growth and yield under both sandy desert soils.
•
Maximum crop yield was achieved at 22 Mg ha− 1 biochar application rate.
Abstract
The addition of biochar (BC) has been suggested to increase the soil fertility and crop productivity of agricultural lands. This study evaluated the effect of different levels of BC on properties of sandy desert soils and its ultimate impact on plant growth. The samples of desert sand were taken from the Kubuqi of Inner Mongolia, China and the Thar Desert, Pakistan. The sands were treated with a BC made from the fast pyrolysis of pine sawdust at 400 °C. Four BC application rates i.e. 0, 15, 22 and 45 t ha− 1 were used in this study. Effects of BC addition on the water consumption and plant growth of sorghum were monitored for eight weeks in a pot experiment. The hydraulic and chemical properties of soil were analyzed to discern the effect of BC on the fertility of sandy desert soils.
The results showed that BC amendment significantly improved soil hydraulic and chemical properties. The BC applied at the rate of 22 t ha− 1 provided the best results as compared to all other treatments. Compared with the control group, the soil water-holding capacity (WHC) increased by 11% and 14%, water-retention capacity (WRC) increased by 28% and 32% and hydraulic conductivity decreased by 32% and 7% under the Kubuqi and the Thar Desert soils, respectively when BC was applied at 22 t ha− 1. Similarly, total C increased by 11% and 7%, total K increased by 37% and 42%, total P increased by 70% and 68% and total Ca increased by 69% and 75% while soil pH significantly reduced by 0.67 and 0.79 units, in the Kubuqi and the Thar Desert soils, respectively. The sorghum dry matter yield (DMY) was also significantly improved by 18% and 22% under the Kubuqi and the Thar Desert soils, respectively. The higher sorghum DMY consequently improved water-use efficiency (WUE) by 40% and 41% under the Kubuqi and the Thar Desert soils, respectively. In contrast, the plant growth and DMY declined at higher application rate (45 t ha− 1) of BC. The BC made from fast pyrolysis of pine sawdust at a temperature of 400 °C showed great potential in improving the quality of sandy desert soils. Hence, it can be used for sandy desert soil management.
Zaira Zaman Chowdhury, Md. Ziaul Karim, Muhammad Aqeel Ashraf, Khalisanni Khalid
Abstract
The objective of this study was to explore the influence of pyrolysis temperature on the physicochemical properties of biochar synthesized from durian wood (Durio zibethinus) sawdust. Surface morphological features, including the porosity and BET surface area of biochars, provide appropriate dimensions for growing clusters of microorganisms with excellent water retention capacity in soil. Oxygen-containing surface functional groups play a vital role in improving soil fertility by increasing its cation and anion exchange capacities with reduced leaching of nutrients from the soil surface. Biochar was produced via slow pyrolysis of woody biomass (WS) using a fixed bed reactor under an oxygen-free atmosphere at different pyrolysis temperatures (350, 450, and 550 °C). The biochars obtained were characterized using ultimate and proximate analyses, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The yield of biochar decreased from 66.46 to 24.56%, whereas the BET surface area increased sharply from 2.567 to 220.989 m2/g, when the pyrolysis temperature was increased from 350 to 550 °C. The results highlighted the effect of pyrolysis temperature on the structure of the biochar, which could be advantageous for agricultural industries.
Welcome to BioResources! This online, peer-reviewed journal is devoted to the science and engineering of biomaterials and chemicals from lignocellulosic sources for new end uses and new capabilities. The editors of BioResources would be very happy to assist you during the process of submitting or reviewing articles. Please note that logging in is required in order to submit or review articles. Martin A. Hubbe, (919) 513-3022, hubbe@ncsu.edu; Lucian A. Lucia, (919) 515-7707, lucian.lucia@gmail.com URLs: bioresourcesjournal.com; http://ncsu.edu/bioresources ISSN: 1930-2126 For further details log on website : http://ojs.cnr.ncsu.edu/index.php/BioRes/article/view/7180
Bamboos, like other lignocelluloses materials are subject to biodegradation by fungi and insects under particular condition and may affected their quality during the processing activities. Liese (1985) stated that bamboo is attacked by both fungi and insects above the fiber saturation point by brown rot, white rot and soft rot. The bamboo service life is estimated only from 6 month to 3 years when in soil contact (Liese 1985 and George 1985). In Malaysia, bamboo is amongst alternative resources to support the local wood industries need. Gigantochloa scortechinii which broadly found in Peninsular Malaysia is focused to explore their potential uses. Details anatomical, physical and mechanical properties are intensively studied by Abd. Latif & Mohd. Tamizi (1992), Abd. Latif & Mohd. Zin (1992), Abd. Latif & Liese (1998) and Abd. Latif & Pham (2001). Nevertheless, information regarding their decay resistance in comparing to Malaysian hardwood is not systematically known. Understanding their decay resistance class will help in proper management in industrial application.
Material and Methods
Source of materials
Gigantochloa scortechinii with three different age classes namely 0.5, 1.5, 3.5, 5.5 and 6.5 years old grown in natural stand Nami, Kedah (northern part of Peninsular Malaysia) were chosen. Age of the culms was recognized from the first day of their emerging period. Those culms were taken within the same clump. They were harvested and immediately coated with paint and kept inside the ice box before being transferred to the laboratory.
Preparation of the specimens
The middle portion of the internodes sixth was selected. They were then cut into ring size of 3 cm height and trimmed into size of 1 cm width. The specimens were then oven dried to 103±2 0 C in 24 hours and finally was measured into two decimal places. Details basic characteristic of the culms is shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Basic characteristics of samples.
Basic characteristics
0.5 years
3.5 years
6.5 years
Internodes length (cm)
32.9
35.2
40
Internodes diameter (cm)
14.7
10.5
16
Culms wall thickness (mm)
8
7
7
Exposure to fungi
The specimens were oven dried weight at 103±2 0 C, weight and sterilized with propylene oxide in two days prior to exposure to culture of the white rot Coriolus versicolar (L.ex Fr.) and brown rot Coniophora puteana (Scum. Ex Fr.) growing on agar media in Petri dishes. A 4 % malt extract and 2 % agar technical medium was used for the two basidiomycetes with incubation at 22 0 C for eight weeks.
Determination of deterioration
After exposure time, the adhering mycelium was cleaned softly with brush, weighed and then dried to determine loss in dry weight by comparison with the pre-exposure value. Due to variation in density between the culms age, the scope of decay was expressed both as total weight loss material decayed by fungi and the more common used percent weight loss. Mean value of density and lignin content measured by weight displacement method and Tappi T-13m-54 (Anon 1978) are given in Table 2.
Table 2. Mean value of density and lignin content.
Age (years)
Density (g/cm 3 )
Lignin (%)
0.5
0.53
23.4
3.5
0.61
26.8
6.5
0.68
28.7
Result and Discussions
The total weight loss and percentage weight loss of different culms age and decay fungi are given in Table 3. All age classes were clearly less resistance to brown rot decay than white rot. The percent weight loss of Gigantochloa scortechinii exposed to brown rot is between 5.30 to 9.90 % compared 8.90 to 9.95 % from white rot respectively. This finding is in good accord with the observation by Liese (1985). The trend probably due to white rot has capability to utilize both carbohydrate and lignin, while brown rot only modifies the lignin during the process (Erickson 1978).
Table 3. Decay after 8 weeks exposure
Age (years)
TWC (mg)
PWL (%)
White rot
Brown rot
White rot
Brown rot
0.5
140
150
9.90
9.95
3.5
120
130
9.24
9.49
6.5
60
90
5.30
8.90
TWC- total weight loss, PWL-percentage weight loss
Regarding the maturation, the resistance of bamboo is related to the culm age. Generally, culm aged 6.5 years is the most resistance against followed by 3.5 years and 0.5 years as greater degree of lignification is probably the major factor reduced susceptibility of fungi. Younger culms (0.5 years) more susceptibility to fungi probably is due to incomplete lignification process of fibers and part of the ground tissue parenchyma (Murphy et. al. 1996). Relative to the 24 Malaysian hardwoods, Gigantochloa scortechinii was intermediate in its resistance to White rot fungus between heavy hardwood and medium hardwood (Table 4). In details, the decay resistance of 6.5 years old culm was equivalent to Kapor (Dryobalanops aromantica), while 0.5 and 3.5 years old culm was in between Kempas (Koompasia malaccensis) and Keruing (Dipterocarpus sp.). Greater microfibrillar layered in bamboo cell walls and fasten maturation stage probably is the reason their resistance in comparing to some Malaysia hardwood.
Table 4. Percent weight loss after exposure to White rots fungi of Malaysian hardwood.
Number
Trade Name
Scientific name
Weight loss (%)
1
Balau
Shorea sp.
1.2
2
Chengal
Neobalanocarpus heimii
1.4
3
Giam
Hopea sp.
1.7
4
Keranji
Dialium sp.
0.3
5
Merbau
Intsia palembanica
3.8
6
Resak
Vatica sp.
0.3
7
Kapor
Dryobalanops aromantica
5.3
8
Kempas
Koompasia malaccensis
8.7
9
Keruing
Dipterocarpus sp.
15.3
10
Mata ulat
Kakoona sp.
17.7
11
Punah
Tetramerista glabra
21.4
12
Rengas
Anacardeaceae
0.0
13
Bintangor
Colaphyllum sp.
18.5
14
Durian
Durio sp.
19.5
15
Jelutong
Dyera cosculata
31.6
16
Meranti bakau
Shorea rugosa
11.1
17
Meranti, dark red
Shorea sp.
14.5
18
Meranti, white
Shorea sp.
36.1
19
Meranti, yellow
Shorea sp.
30.5
20
Merawan
Shorea sp.
1.8
21
Mersawa
Anisoptera sp.
14.6
22
Perupok
Lophopetalum sp.
47.7
23
Ramin
Gonystylus sp.
35.8
24
Rubberwood
Hevea brasiliensis
36.9
Note: Numbers 1-6 is heavy hardwood, 7-12 is medium hardwood, and 13-24 is light Hardwood. (Sources: Yamamoto & Hong, 1989).
Conclusion
This study indicates that G. scortechinii has less susceptibility against brown rot compared to white rot fungi. The degree of resistance is greatly influenced by the culm age and lignin content. In comparing to the 24 Malaysia hardwoods, Gigantochloa scortechinii was intermediate between heavy hardwood and medium hardwood.
References
Abd. Latif, M. & Mohd Tamizi, M. 1992. Variation of anatomical properties of three Malaysia bamboos from natural stand. Journal of Tropical Forest Sciences 5(1):90-96. Abd. Latif, M. & Mohd. Zin, J. 1992. Trends of variation in some physical properties of Gigantochloa scortechinii. INBAR Information Centre, India Bulletin 2(2): 7-12. Abd. Latif, M. & Liese, W. 1998. Influences of age, culm, height, site and harvesting month on moisture content level of two Malaysian bamboos. Paper presented at the VI International Bamboo Workshop and V International Bamboo Conferences. 2-6 November 1998. San Jose, Costa Rica. Anonymous. 1978. TAPPI Official Testing Procedure. Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, Atlanta. 220p. Erickson, K.E. 1978. Enzyme mechanism involved in cellulose hydrolysis by the white rot fungus, Sporatichum pulverulentum. Biotechnology Bioengeneering 20: 317-332. George, J. 1985. Preservative treatment of bamboo. Pp 233-247 in W.K.P. Findley (ed.) Preservative in the Tropics, Dordrecht: Martinus Nijhoff/Dr W. Junk. Liese, W. 1985. Bamboos-Biology, Silvics, Properties, Utilization. Schriftenreihe der GTZ No. 180. Murphy, R.J., Othman, S. & Alvin, K.L. 1996. Ultrastructure aspects of cell wa
