Search results for "biochar"

Enhanced high-quality biomethane production from anaerobic digestion of primary sludge by corn stover biochar

2020

Abstract This study conducted batch and continuous tests to reveal the feasibility of corn stover biochar on improving anaerobic digestion of primary sludge (PS). Dosing biochar (1.82, 2.55 and 3.06 g/g Total Solids (TS)) in digester improved methane content increasing from 67.5% to 81.3–87.3% and enhanced methane production by 8.6–17.8%. Model analysis indicated that biochar accelerated PS hydrolysis and enhanced methane potential of PS. The mechanistic studies showed that biochar enhanced process stability provided by strong buffering capacity and alleviated NH3 inhibition. In continuous test over 116 days, the volatile solids (VS) destruction in the biochar-dosed digester increased by 14…

Poplar Biochar as an Alternative Substrate for Curly Endive Cultivated in a Soilless System

2020

Imminent necessity for eco-friendly and low-cost substitutes to peat is a defiance in the soilless plant cultivation systems. Wood biochar could entirely or partly substitute peat as a plant growing constituent to produce vegetables. Nevertheless, knowledge concerning potential plant performance of leafy green vegetables grown on wood biochar is restricted. The present study assessed the main physicochemical traits of various growing media constituted by decreasing the content of peat and by increasing the percentages of poplar wood biochar. Yield, nutritional and functional properties of curly endive plants cultivated in a protected environment were also tested. Biochar was pyrolyzed from …

Co-Designing Urban Carbon Sink Parks: Case Carbon Lane in Helsinki

2021

In order to achieve the goals of carbon (C) neutrality within next 20 year, municipalities worldwide need to increasingly apply negative emission technologies. We focus on the main principles of urban demonstration areas using biochars for C sequestration and explore the lessons learned from a co-creation process of one such park, Hyväntoivonpuisto in Helsinki, Finland. Demonstration sites of urban C sinks in public parks must be safe, visible and scientifically sound for reliable and cost-effective verification of carbon sequestration. We find that different interests can be arbitrated and that synergy that emerges from co-creation of urban C sink parks between stakeholders (scientists, ci…

Use of biochar as peat substitute for growing substrates of Euphorbia × lomi potted plants

2016

Biochar from conifers wood was used in soilless culture as growing substrate alternative to peat for ornamental crops. Potted plants of Euphorbia × lomi Rauh cv. ‘Ilaria’ were grown with different mixtures (v:v) of brown peat and biochar in order to evaluate main physical and chemical characteristics of this biomaterial as well as its effect on plant growth, ornamental characteristics and nutrients uptake. Biochar addition to peat increased pH, EC and K content of the growing substrates, as well as air content and bulk density. Biochar content of substrates significantly affected plant growth and biomass partitioning: higher number of shoots and leaves, leaf area and leaf dry weight were re…

Experimental Investigation into the Effect of Pyrolysis on Chemical Forms of Heavy Metals in Sewage Sludge Biochar (SSB), with Brief Ecological Risk …

2021

Experimental investigations were carried out to study the effect of pyrolysis temperature on the characteristics, structure and total heavy metal contents of sewage sludge biochar (SSB). The changes in chemical forms of the heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Cd) caused by pyrolysis were analyzed, and the potential ecological risk of heavy metals in biochar (SSB) was evaluated. The conversion of sewage sludge into biochar by pyrolysis reduced the H/C and O/C ratios considerably, resulting in stronger carbonization and a higher degree of aromatic condensation in biochar. Measurement results showed that the pH and specific surface area of biochar increased as the pyrolysis temperature increa…

Research and Application of Biochar in Europe

2015

SOTTOPRODOTTI DELLA TRASFORMAZIONE DI BIOMASSE A FINI ENERGETICI. POTENZIALITÀ DEL BIOCHAR COME SUBSTRATO PER LA COLTIVAZIONE DI PIANTE IN VASO.

2012

Changes in soil chemical properties as affected by pyrogenic organic matter amendment with different intensity and frequency

2017

Pyrogenic organic matter (PyOM) has long been used as a soil amendment to improve soil physicochemical properties. However, few studies simultaneously investigated both intensities and frequencies of PyOM addition on soil chemical properties of soil base cations, soil pH buffering capacity (pHBC), and plant available micronutrients. In the main food production area of lower Liaohe River Plain in Northeast China, a field manipulation of PyOM addition was initiated in 2013 to examine how the intensities (0, 1%, 3%, and 5% of 0–20 cm soil mass) and frequencies (3% of soil mass applied once versus yearly for 3 years) of PyOM amendment affected soil chemical properties. Higher intensity of PyOM …

Effect of texture on the dynamics of a water saturated biochar

2014

Biochar is defined as charred organic matter applied to soil in a deliberate manner, with the intent to improve soil properties (Lehmann et al., 2009). Biomass-derived char can be used as energy carrier, as adsorber and as material for the improvement of soil properties. Carbonized organic matter can have different physical and chemical properties depending on the technology used for its production. Moreover char texture influences deeply physical and chemical properties. In this work effect of texture on the dynamics of a water saturated biochar was analyzed by FFC NMR. An industrial biochar derived from gasification of poplar wood was sieved to determine influence of texture on water dynami…

Bio-char from dead Posidonia oceanica residues as adsorbent towards toxic metal ions

2018

Recently, the pyrolysis of biomass from different algal species and from the Mediterranean sea plant Posidonia oceanica have been proposed for renewable fuel production with a maximum oil yield of 54.97% at 500°C, and high heating values of 24-32 MJ kg-1[1,2]. The pyrolysis produces a large amount of bio-char and the accumulation of this byproduct may cause solid waste pollution problems. Although the composition and properties of bio-char depend on the raw material and on the carbonization process, it is on average composed of amorphous carbon with a highly functionalized surface, which makes it reactive towards inorganic and organic compounds [3]. Considering the reactivity of bio-char, t…