Exploring the Potential of Straw Biochar for Environmentally Friendly Fertilizers

Rositsa Velichkova, Martin Pushkarov, Radostina A. Angelova, Ognyan Sandov, Detelin Markov, Iskra Simova and Peter Stankov
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Rositsa Velichkova: Centre for Research and Design in Human Comfort, Energy and Environment (CERDECEN), Technical University of Sofia, 8 Kliment Ohridsky Blvd, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
Martin Pushkarov: Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering, College of Energy and Electronics (CEE), Technical University of Sofia, 8 Kliment Ohridsky Blvd, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
Radostina A. Angelova: Centre for Research and Design in Human Comfort, Energy and Environment (CERDECEN), Technical University of Sofia, 8 Kliment Ohridsky Blvd, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
Ognyan Sandov: Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering, College of Energy and Electronics (CEE), Technical University of Sofia, 8 Kliment Ohridsky Blvd, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
Detelin Markov: Centre for Research and Design in Human Comfort, Energy and Environment (CERDECEN), Technical University of Sofia, 8 Kliment Ohridsky Blvd, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
Iskra Simova: Centre for Research and Design in Human Comfort, Energy and Environment (CERDECEN), Technical University of Sofia, 8 Kliment Ohridsky Blvd, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
Peter Stankov: Centre for Research and Design in Human Comfort, Energy and Environment (CERDECEN), Technical University of Sofia, 8 Kliment Ohridsky Blvd, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 10, 1-21

Abstract: The pyrolysis of wheat straw in order to produce biochar for soil amendment is a potential strategy for producing environmental friendly fertilizers capable of boosting soil fertility, increasing carbon storage, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. However, straw biochar’s potential to influence these aspects may vary depending on its properties. Our study sought to investigate biochar from wheat straw from three different regions in Bulgaria. A specially designed set up was used for the biochar production. Three pyrolytic temperatures (300, 400, and 500 °C) were applied, resulting in nine biochar samples. The specific characteristics included moisture content, volatile substances content, ash content, fixed carbon content, and joint ash and carbon content, and they were determined for each sample. The chemical content, resulting in 17 chemical elements and compounds, was measured and analysed. The results obtained showed that the produced straw biochar has the potential to be used as a fertilizer and soil supplement.

Keywords: wheat straw; biochar; pyrolysis; chemical elements; soils (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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