The Role of HCl-Catalyzed Sequential Carbonization in Producing Highly Carbonaceous Porous Biochar with Minimized Heavy Metal Content from Swine Manure

Seong-Yeun Yoo, Seong-Su Kim, Thi. Thu-Trang Ho, Ahmad Nadeem, Kangil Choe () and Jai-Young Lee ()
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Seong-Yeun Yoo: Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Seoul, 163, Seoulsiripdae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02504, Republic of Korea
Seong-Su Kim: Bioenergy Center, Kinava Co., Ltd., #701-704, 7, Heolleung-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul 06792, Republic of Korea
Thi. Thu-Trang Ho: Bioenergy Center, Kinava Co., Ltd., #701-704, 7, Heolleung-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul 06792, Republic of Korea
Ahmad Nadeem: Bioenergy Center, Kinava Co., Ltd., #701-704, 7, Heolleung-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul 06792, Republic of Korea
Kangil Choe: Bioenergy Center, Kinava Co., Ltd., #701-704, 7, Heolleung-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul 06792, Republic of Korea
Jai-Young Lee: Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Seoul, 163, Seoulsiripdae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02504, Republic of Korea

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-18

Abstract: This study investigated the production of high-performance biochar from swine manure using a sequential carbonization process combining hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) and pyrolysis. Biochar produced through HCl-assisted sequential carbonization exhibited superior properties, including the highest fixed carbon (70.0%), higher heating value (28.48 MJ/kg, ~18.8% increase over HTC-Py), and BET surface area (279.66 m 2 /g, ~17 times higher than other biochars). These improvements were attributed to the catalytic role of HCl in promoting dehydration, hydrolysis, and decarboxylation, leading to a more condensed and stabilized carbon structure. Furthermore, HCl significantly enhanced heavy metal removal, reducing Zn to 343.17 mg/kg (compared to HTC-Py 1324.15 mg/kg) and lowering Cd, As, Cu, Pb, Ni, and Cr by 70–80%, demonstrating effective demineralization. This approach presents a practical strategy for producing high-quality biochar with improved carbonization, energy properties, and pollutant removal, offering potential applications in environmental and agricultural fields.

Keywords: swine manure; porous carbonaceous biochar; sequential carbonization; HCl catalyst; physicochemical properties (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: 2025
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