Comparative Analysis of Pigeonpea Stalk Biochar Characteristics and Energy Use under Different Biochar Production Methods

Nallagatla Vinod Kumar, Gajanan L. Sawargaonkar (), C. Sudha Rani, Ajay Singh, T. Ram Prakash, S. Triveni, Prasad J. Kamdi, Rajesh Pasumarthi, Rayapati Karthik and Bathula Venkatesh
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Nallagatla Vinod Kumar: Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University PJTSAU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500030, India
Gajanan L. Sawargaonkar: International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Patancheru, Hyderabad 502324, India
C. Sudha Rani: Agricultural Research Station, Vikarabad, Tanduru 501141, India
Ajay Singh: International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Patancheru, Hyderabad 502324, India
T. Ram Prakash: AICRP on Weed Control, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University PJTSAU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500030, India
S. Triveni: Department of Agricultural Microbiology and Bio-Energy, College of Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University PJTSAU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500030, India
Prasad J. Kamdi: International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Patancheru, Hyderabad 502324, India
Rajesh Pasumarthi: International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Patancheru, Hyderabad 502324, India
Rayapati Karthik: Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University PJTSAU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500030, India
Bathula Venkatesh: Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University PJTSAU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500030, India

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 19, 1-17

Abstract: The disposal of crop residues from agricultural fields is often seen as a burden due to the difficulties involved. However, this study aims to turn pigeonpea stalks into biochar, which can serve as a fuel substitute and soil amendment to sequester carbon. Different pyrolysis methods were employed to investigate the variations in yield, physicochemical characteristics, and higher heating value (HHV) of biochar produced from pigeonpea stalks. The biochar produced using a muffle furnace exhibited higher fixed carbon and ash content. These characteristics make it beneficial for restoring degraded agricultural soils by enhancing carbon sequestration. In addition, the muffle furnace biochar demonstrated a total potential carbon ranging from 262.8 to 264.3 g of carbon per kilogram of biochar, along with a CO 2 reduction potential ranging from 77.17 to 79.68 CO 2 eq per kg. Both the European Biochar Certificate and the International Biochar Initiative confirmed the agronomic abilities of the biochar and its compliance with the highest quality standards for soil carbon sequestration, with 0.11 H/C and 0.7 O/C ratios. Furthermore, biochar produced by muffle furnace from pigeonpea stalks exhibited superior fixed carbon recovery efficiency (181.66 to 184.62%), densification (5.86 to 6.83%), energy density (1.77 to 2.06%), energy retention efficiency (54.80 to 56.64%), fuel ratio (18.95 to 22.38%), and HHV (30.66 to 32.56 MJ kg −1 ). Additionally, it had lower H/C and O/C ratios, suggesting its potential as an alternative solid fuel. The results of the characterization of biochar with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed that the biochar samples prepared with both the methods had carbonyl (C=O), C=C, and aromatic C-H functional groups; however, the biochar prepared in the muffle furnace had more porosity. In summary, this study highlights the potential of using pigeonpea stalks to produce biochar, which can be utilized as a renewable fuel substitute and soil amendment to sequester carbon. The biochar derived from the muffle furnace exhibited desirable physicochemical characteristics, high carbon content, and excellent energy properties, making it a promising option for various applications.

Keywords: muffle furnace; pigeonpea; biochar; kiln; carbon sequestration potential; FTIR; SEM (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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