Citation:

Novak, J. AND Mark G Johnson. Chapter 3 - Elemental and Spectroscopic Characterization of Low Temperature (350°C) Lignocellulosic- and Manure-based Designer Biochars and Their Use as Soil Amendments. Biochar from Biomass and Waste Fundamentals and Applications. Elsevier Inc, Waltham, MA, , 37-58, (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-811729-3.00003-0

Impact/Purpose:

Biochar is a charcoal-like material that is made by heating biomass in the absence of oxygen. This process is called pyrolysis and can be used to extract energy from biomass as well as making biochar. Biochar has been shown to have several beneficial properties that are useful for improving the health and fertility of degraded soils. It can also serve as a sorbent for organic and metal contaminants in soils and are therefore useful for soil remediation. Biochars are produced using lignocellulosic (i.e., plant based), and manure-based feedstocks that are pyrolyzed at temperatures ranging from 300 to 1100° C. Consequently, the properties of the resulting biochars depend upon the feedstocks used and the pyrolysis process. By characterizing the properties of the biochars produced this way their remedial properties can be optimally used. This chapter describes the characterization of several different biochars created at low pyrolysis temperatures (< 350⁰C). We characterized the chemistry of the biochar surfaces to highlight how different feedstocks produce biochars with different properties. This chapter details how feedstock selection, blends, and low temperature (350°C) pyrolysis impacts biochars properties. Examples are presented that show how this knowledge can be used to design biochars to be more effective soil amendments. Making the connection between feedstocks, pyrolysis and resulting biochar properties provides guidance for utilizing biochar as a remedial soil amendment.

Description:

Biochar has multifunctional properties capable of improving fertility of degraded soils, acting as a sorbent for organic pollutants, and heavy metals sequestration in mine spoils. Biochars are produced using lignocellulosic-, and manure-based feedstocks that are pyrolyzed at temperatures ranging from 300 to 1100oC. Thus, the physiochemical characteristics of biochars are dependent on the parent feedstock, blends, and pyrolysis temperature preferences. Manure-based biochars commonly have an alkaline pH and contain higher concentrations of elements than lignocellulosic-based biochars. Biochar produced at low pyrolysis temperatures (< 350⁰C) contain an assortment of organic structures with –OH, OCH3, C=O and COOH containing functional groups. Results from this review chapter will detail how feedstock selection, blends, and low temperature (350°C) pyrolysis will impact biochars properties. Examples will be discussed showing how this knowledge can be used to design biochars to be more effective soil amendments.

URLs/Downloads:

Record Details: