Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass into Biochar: Enhancing Adsorption Kinetics and Pore Properties for Environmental Sustainability

Tasi-Jung Jiang (), Hervan Marion Morgan (), Wen-Tien Tsai, Herlin Chien, Tsair-Bor Yen and Yu-Ru Lee
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Tasi-Jung Jiang: Graduate Institute of Bio Resources, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Neipu, Pingtung 912, Taiwan
Hervan Marion Morgan: Department of Tropical Agriculture and International Cooperation, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Neipu, Pingtung 912, Taiwan
Wen-Tien Tsai: Graduate Institute of Bio Resources, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Neipu, Pingtung 912, Taiwan
Herlin Chien: Center for General Education, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Neipu, Pingtung 912, Taiwan
Tsair-Bor Yen: Department of Tropical Agriculture and International Cooperation, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Neipu, Pingtung 912, Taiwan
Yu-Ru Lee: Graduate Institute of Environmental Management, Tajen University, Pingtung 907, Taiwan

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 15, 1-16

Abstract: This study investigates the pyrolysis and adsorption properties of biochar derived from coconut shell (BC-CS), rice husk (BC-RH), and cow manure (BC-CM) under varying thermal treatment conditions. Biochar samples were produced at 800 °C with residence times ranging from 0 to 60 min. Their characteristics were analyzed using their Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area, total pore volume, and pore diameter measurements. BC-CM exhibited the highest BET surface area of 263.3 m 2 /g and a total pore volume of 0.164 cm 3 /g, while BC-RH and BC-CS showed maximum BET surface areas of 220.62 m 2 /g and 197.38 m 2 /g, respectively. Nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms revealed distinct microporous and mesoporous structures, with BC-CM demonstrating superior adsorption capacity across all relative pressures. The adsorption kinetics of methylene blue (MB) were examined at initial concentrations of 1 ppm, 5 ppm, and 10 ppm, with varying biochar doses (0.1 g, 0.3 g, and 0.5 g). The results showed that the adsorption rate constant (k) decreased with higher initial MB concentrations, while the equilibrium adsorption capacity ( q e ) increased. BC-CM achieved the highest q e of 2.18 mg/g at 10 ppm and a 0.5 g dose, followed by BC-RH-800-45 (1.145 mg/g) and BC-CS (0.340 mg/g). The adsorption process was well described by a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, indicating chemisorption as the dominant mechanism. Increasing biochar doses improved MB removal efficiency, highlighting the dose-dependent nature of adsorption. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing pyrolysis parameters to enhance biochar’s adsorption performance and identify key factors influencing its effectiveness in environmental applications.

Keywords: biomass resources; resource reuse; biochar adsorption; pyrolysis conditions; methylene blue removal; environmental biotechnology; agricultural management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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