Assessing the Potential of Teff Husk for Biochar Production through Slow Pyrolysis: Effect of Pyrolysis Temperature on Biochar Yield

Marcin Landrat, Mamo Abawalo (), Krzysztof Pikoń, Paulos Asefa Fufa and Semira Seyid
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Marcin Landrat: Department of Technologies and Installations for Waste Management, Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Mamo Abawalo: Department of Technologies and Installations for Waste Management, Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Krzysztof Pikoń: Department of Technologies and Installations for Waste Management, Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Paulos Asefa Fufa: Department of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Faculty of Chemistry, Silesian University of Technology, Marcina Strzody 9, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Semira Seyid: Department of Power Engineering, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstrasse 15, 85748 Garching bei München, Germany

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 9, 1-17

Abstract: Environmental restoration and sustainable energy solutions require effective management and utilization of agricultural crop residues to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Biowastes are a valuable resource that can be converted into biofuels and their byproducts, solving the energy crisis and reducing environmental impact. In this study, teff husk, primarily generated in Ethiopia during the production of teff within the agro-industrial sector, is used as a feedstock for slow pyrolysis. Ethiopia generates an estimated annual production of over 1.75 million tons of teff husk, a significant portion of which is incinerated, resulting in significant pollution of the environment. This study focuses on assessing teff husk as a potential material for slow pyrolysis, a crucial stage in biochar production, to tap into its biochar-producing potential. To identify the composition of biomass, the teff husk underwent an initial analysis using thermogravimetry. The significant presence of fixed carbon indicates that teff husk is a viable candidate for pyrolytic conversion into biochar particles. The process of slow pyrolysis took place at three temperatures—specifically, 400, 450, and 500 °C. The maximum biochar yield was achieved by optimizing slow pyrolysis parameters including reaction time, temperature, and heating rate. The optimized reaction time, temperature, and heating rate of 120 min, 400 °C, and 4.2 °C/min, respectively, resulted in the highest biochar yield of 43.4 wt.%. Furthermore, biochar’s physicochemical, SEM-EDX, FTIR, and TGA characterization were performed. As the temperature of biochar increases, its carbon content and thermal stability increases as well. Unlike fuel recovery, the results suggest that teff-husk can be used as a feedstock for biochar production.

Keywords: biomass; teff husk; slow pyrolysis; biofuel; biochar; TGA; FTIR; SEM; EDX (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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