Characterization of Biochar Derived from Crop Residues for Soil Amendment, Carbon Sequestration and Energy Use

Govindarajan Venkatesh, Kodigal A. Gopinath, Kotha Sammi Reddy, Baddigam Sanjeeva Reddy, Mathyam Prabhakar, Cherukumalli Srinivasarao, Venugopalan Visha Kumari and Vinod Kumar Singh
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Govindarajan Venkatesh: ICAR—Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), Hyderabad 500 059, India
Kodigal A. Gopinath: ICAR—Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), Hyderabad 500 059, India
Kotha Sammi Reddy: ICAR—Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), Hyderabad 500 059, India
Baddigam Sanjeeva Reddy: ICAR—Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), Hyderabad 500 059, India
Mathyam Prabhakar: ICAR—Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), Hyderabad 500 059, India
Cherukumalli Srinivasarao: ICAR—National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM), Hyderabad 500 030, India
Venugopalan Visha Kumari: ICAR—Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), Hyderabad 500 059, India
Vinod Kumar Singh: ICAR—Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), Hyderabad 500 059, India

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 4, 1-16

Abstract: The crop residues generated in agricultural fields are mostly considered a burden due to their disposal issues. This study attempts to effectively use pigeon pea stalk (PPS) for biochar production, a promising source as a soil amendment for carbon sequestration and alternative fuel source. PPS was pyrolyzed at different loads and reaction times to optimize the kiln temperature (350–400 °C and 450–500 °C) and changes in physicochemical properties, higher heating value (HHV) and yield were assessed. The results indicated that biochar yield, volatile matter, bulk density, O/C and H/C atomic ratios decreased, whereas fixed carbon, ash content and total porosity increased with increasing kiln temperature across all loads. Biochar produced at 450–500 °C (18 kg load kiln −1 ) had higher total carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous, recovered total carbon and total nitrogen, total potential carbon and CO 2 reduction potential. Biochar produced at 350–400 °C had the maximum cation exchange capability (43.0 cmol kg −1 ). Biochar has estimated O/C and H/C atomic ratios of 0.07–0.15 and 0.35–0.50, respectively. Biochar exhibited good agronomic characteristics and fulfilled key quality criteria of H/C < 0.7 and O/C < 0.4 for soil carbon sequestration, as described by the European Biochar Certificate and the International Biochar Initiative. The estimated mean residence time and the mass fraction of carbon that would remain after 100 years were consistently greater than 1000 years and 80%, respectively. The biochar produced at 450–500 °C (at 18.0 kg kiln −1 ) from PPS had higher fixed carbon (65.3%), energy density (1.51), energetic retention efficiency (53%), fuel ratio (4.88), and HHV (25.01 MJ kg −1 ), as well as lower H/C and O/C ratios, implying that it is suitable for use as an alternative solid fuel.

Keywords: pigeon pea stalk biochar; O/C and H/C atomic ratio; CO 2 reduction potential; mean residence time; higher heating value (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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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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