Biochar from pyrolysis of biological sludge from wastewater treatment. (February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tarelho, L.A.C.; Hauschild, T.; Vilas-Boas, A.C.M.; Silva, D.F.R.; Matos, M.A.A.
• Is Part Of: Energy reports. Volume 6(2020)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 757
• Page End: 763
• Publication Date: 2020-02
• Subjects: Biological sludge -- Pyrolysis -- Heating rate -- Peak temperature -- Biochar; Power resources -- Periodicals; Energy industries -- Periodicals; Power resources; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 621.04205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.egyr.2019.09.063
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-4847

Abstract

Abstract: It was studied the production of biochar by pyrolysis of biological sludge from wastewater treatment in the pulp and paper industry. The pyrolysis process was conducted in bench-scale fixed-bed reactor using distinct operating conditions of heating rate (2, 10, 20 and 30 ºC/min) and peak temperature (300, 375, 450, 525, and 600 ºC). The biochar yield is in the range 0.40 to 0.73 kg/kg dry sludge, and decreases with increasing peak temperature and heating rate. The organic matter content of the biochar is in the range 55.9 to 75.3%wt. (dry basis). Both the temperature increase and the heating rate increase promote the decrease of biochar volatile matter content within values between 14.4 and 48.4%wt. (dry basis). The biochar ash content increases with peak temperature and heating rate, and it has values in the range 24.7 to 44.1%wt. (dry basis). The corresponding fixed carbon content is between 26.2 and 42.4%wt. (dry basis), and increases with an increase in the peak temperature. The carbon concentration in the biochar is in the range 42.8 to 47.0%wt. (dry basis). The biochar pH is in the range 6.9 to 11.2, and the electrical conductivity (EC) is in the range 2.2 to 5.0 mS/cm.