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Biochar: Productions, Properties and Applications

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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Science and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 December 2019) | Viewed by 63172

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Dr. Witold Kwapinski

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Chemical Sciences Department, School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland
Interests: biorefinery; theorem-chemical biowaste conversion; adsorption; nutrients recovery; catalyses
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Dear Colleagues,

Biochar is a carbon-rich material generated from carbon neutral sources under controlled conditions. It has received increasing attention due to its unique structure and properties that can be modified during or after its production. First applications such as soil amendments and carbon sequesters are significantly extended for other areas including sorption, metals immobilization, leaching, greenhouse gasses emission, and catalysis. Still, a number of aspects including biochar production, properties, and applications need to be studied due to a variety of source materials; process types and conditions; types of reactors; the physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms involved; and its composition and further interactions with other substances. Analyses need to be made including, but not restricted to, the following: response of soil bacterial community to biochar addition, potential risk, application strategies, cost-effectiveness, bioavailability, physical and chemical activation, nutrients leaching, catalytic capacity, and sorption and desorption mechanisms.

Taking into account all the above, this Special Issue is dedicated to topics related to biochar productions, properties, and applications, including technical, scientific, economic, and environmental topics.

Dr. Witold Kwapinski
Guest Editor

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Keywords

bio-waste
energy
carbon sequestration
catalyst
environment
policy
regulations
life cycle assessment
leaching
nutrition

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 12115 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reducing Acidity of Tropical Acid Soil to Improve Phosphorus Availability and Zea mays L. Productivity through Efficient Use of Chicken Litter Biochar and Triple Superphosphate

by Ali Maru, Ahmed Osumanu Haruna, Audrey Asap, Nik Muhamad Abd. Majid, Nathaniel Maikol and Alicia Vanessa Jeffary

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(6), 2127; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10062127 - 20 Mar 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3653

Abstract

Phosphorus is a macronutrient which plays an important role in plant metabolism, growth, and development. However, in tropical acid soils, P fixation is high because of significant amounts of Al and Fe ions. Al and Fe ions can reduce diffusion of P into plant roots. Low absorption of P at initial growth of most plants causes stunting and slow growth of plant leaves. This process reduces photosynthesis. Chicken litter biochar (CLB) had been used on tropical acid soils to improve total P, available P, organic P, and inorganic fractions of P. Moreover, CLB is able to reduce exchangeable acidity, Fe, and Al ions in mineral acid soils because of the reactive surfaces of this organic amendment. However, there is dearth of information on the effects of the right combination of CLB and triple superphosphate (TSP) on the aforementioned soil chemical properties and crop productivity. To this end, the objectives of this study were to improve P: (i) Availability in a mineral acid soil and (ii) uptake, agronomic efficiency, and dry matter yield of Zea mays L. using the right amounts of TSP and CLB. Combinations of 75%, 50%, and 25% CLB (based on recommended 5 t ha⁻¹) and TSP (based on recommended P fertilization for maize) were evaluated in a pot study. Selected soil chemical properties, maize plants nutrient uptake, growth variables, and dry matter yield were determined using standard measures. Results showed that 25% and 50% biochar of 5 t ha⁻¹ with 75% TSP can increase soil P availability, recovery, agronomic use efficiency, and dry matter yield of maize plants. These optimum rates can also reduce P fixation by Al and Fe ions. Therefore, soil and maize productivity can be improved by using CLB (25% and 50% of 5 t ha⁻¹) and TSP (75% of conventional rate) to increase nutrients availability especially P. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar: Productions, Properties and Applications)

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11 pages, 6643 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electrical and Microwave Characterization of Thermal Annealed Sewage Sludge Derived Biochar Composites

by Patrizia Savi, Muhammad Yasir, Mattia Bartoli, Mauro Giorcelli and Matteo Longo

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(4), 1334; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10041334 - 16 Feb 2020

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 3358

Abstract

Ever-increasing proportions of sewage sludge are being generated due to increases in population and urbanization. As a result, the disposal of sewage sludge for use as manure and for other agricultural applications is not sufficient. The use of biochar derived from sewage sludge as a substitute to other carbon fillers was analyzed by performing electrical and morphological characterization. The electrical and microwave characterization of composites filled with sludge biochar was performed. Thermal annealing of biochar makes it conductive and suitable for a variety of electrical and microwave applications. Composite samples of a thickness of 4 mm with 20 wt.% of sludge biochar provided a shielding effectiveness value of almost 10 dB. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar: Productions, Properties and Applications)

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11 pages, 1119 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Gasification Conditions on the Surface Properties of Biochar Produced in a Top-Lit Updraft Gasifier

by Arthur M. James R., Wenqiao Yuan, Duo Wang, Donghai Wang and Ajay Kumar

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(2), 688; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10020688 - 19 Jan 2020

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4107

Abstract

The effect of airflow rate, biomass moisture content, particle size, and compactness on the surface properties of biochar produced in a top-lit updraft gasifier was investigated. Pine woodchips were studied as the feedstock. The carbonization airflow rates from 8 to 20 L/min were found to produce basic biochars (pH > 7.0) that contained basic functional groups. No acid functional groups were presented when the airflow increased. The surface charge of biochar at varying airflow rates showed that the cation exchange capacity increased with airflow. The increase in biomass moisture content from 10 to 14% caused decrease in the pH from 12 to 7.43, but the smallest or largest particle sizes resulted in low pH; therefore, the carboxylic functional groups increased. Similarly, the biomass compactness exhibited a negative correlation with the pH that reduced with increasing compactness level. Thus, the carboxylic acid functional groups of biochar increased from 0 to 0.016 mmol g⁻¹, and the basic functional group decreased from 0.115 to 0.073 mmol g⁻¹ when biomass compactness force increased from 0 to 3 kg. BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller) surface area of biochar was greater at higher airflow and smaller particle size, lower moisture content, and less compactness of the biomass. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar: Productions, Properties and Applications)

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18 pages, 577 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adsorption and Desorption of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Soil Buffering Capacity Following Application of Chicken Litter Biochar to an Acid Soil

by Perumal Palanivell, Osumanu Haruna Ahmed, Omar Latifah and Nik Muhamad Abdul Majid

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(1), 295; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10010295 - 31 Dec 2019

Cited by 41 | Viewed by 7551

Abstract

Adsorption and desorption of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) soils are controlled by pH, pH buffering capacity, organic matter, and cation exchange capacity (CEC). These factors optimized to improve timely availability of N, P, and K crop use using organic amendments such as chicken litter biochar (CLB). The objective of this study was to determine the effects of CLB on N, P, K sorption and pH buffering capacity of an acid soil. Different rates of CLB were mixed with an acid soil for N, P, and K sorption and pH buffering capacity determination. The CLB increased soil pH and pH buffering capacity, but unlike P and K adsorption, the different rates of CLB significantly increased N adsorption, suggesting that this soil amendment has high affinity for N than P and K. Also, because CLB reduced N, P, and K desorption, it suggests that N in particular will be slowly released with time. The reduced N desorption but higher N adsorption further indicates that N can be temporary fixed by CLB. This work has revealed CLB is more effective controlling soil N availability for timely crop use to avoid losses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar: Productions, Properties and Applications)

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5 pages, 558 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Evaluation of Biochar Nitrate Extraction Methods

by Jenna Walsh, Joseph Sanford and Rebecca Larson

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(17), 3514; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9173514 - 27 Aug 2019

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2802

Abstract

Biochar amendment to soil is a method used to mitigate losses of nitrogen leaching through agricultural soils. Multiple methods for extraction of nitrogen have been used, and recent studies have indicated that traditional soil extraction methods underestimate biochar nitrate. This study evaluated the nitrate extraction efficiency of a KCl extraction method under different temperature (20 and 50 °C) and duration (24 and 96 h) conditions. Increasing the duration of extraction from 24 to 96 h did not have a significant impact on extraction efficiency. However, increasing temperature resulted in nitrate extraction efficiencies above 90%. Rinsing the biochar once with deionized (DI) water following filtration after extraction increased the extraction efficiency significantly, but any subsequent rinses were not significant. This study recommends extracting nitrate from biochar using 2 M KCl at 50 °C for a period of 24 h with one additional rinse to increase nitrate recovery above 90%. However, future studies should evaluate this procedure for different types of biochar produced from alternative biomasses and at varying temperatures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar: Productions, Properties and Applications)

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11 pages, 1205 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Strain-Specific Effects of Biochar and Its Water-Soluble Compounds on Bacterial Growth

by Fan Yang, Yue Zhou, Weiming Liu, Wenzhu Tang, Jun Meng, Wenfu Chen and Xianzhen Li

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(16), 3209; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9163209 - 7 Aug 2019

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3538

Abstract

Previous studies have revealed that biochar could induce the disturbance of a microbial community above the family level. So far, very little is known about how individual bacteria are affected by biochar at genus or species levels. In this study, effects of biochar and its water-soluble compounds on the growth of individual soil bacteria were examined. Biochar derived from different feedstock showed disproportionate impacts on bacterial growth. Corncob biochar could significantly stimulate the growth of most tested strains, whereas the growth of four strains, including Bacillus pumilus ACCC04306 (Agricultural Culture Collection of China, ACCC), B. licheniformis, B. cereus, and Kitasatospora viridis, were inhibited by addition of rice husk biochar. All the biochars greatly supported the growth of B. mucilaginosus but inhibited that of K. viridis. More importantly, different strains exhibited discrepant growth response towards the same biochar sample, even when strains belong to the same species, suggesting that the effect of biochar on bacteria growth is strain-specific. Corncob biochar showed the strongest adsorption on B. thuringiensis but the greatest growth promotion was observed in B. mucilaginosus, indicating that the porous structure of biochar is not the sole factor that influences cell growth. Due to the possible stimulation or inhibition of water-soluble compounds existing in biochar, the growth variation of tested strains decreased or increased correspondingly when the washed biochar was applied, indicating that water-soluble compounds in fresh biochar play an important role in cell growth and such effect is also strain-dependent. Biochar application could also enhance potassium-/phosphate-solubilizing activities through promoting bacterial growth. All these results suggested that biochar might influence bacterial growth under different mechanisms. Our findings should be valuable for an in-depth understanding of the potential mechanism of soil bacteria changes following biochar incorporation and for biochar application in agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar: Productions, Properties and Applications)

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19 pages, 1697 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization and Determination of the Toxicological Risk of Biochar Using Invertebrate Toxicity Tests in the State of Aguascalientes, México

by Felix Flesch, Pia Berger, Daniel Robles-Vargas, Gustavo Emilio Santos-Medrano and Roberto Rico-Martínez

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(8), 1706; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9081706 - 25 Apr 2019

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 5045

Abstract

Following a quantitative analysis of adequate feedstock, comprising 11 woody biomass species, four biochars were generated using a Kon-Tiki flame curtain kiln in the state of Aguascalientes, Mexico. Despite the high quality (certified by European Biochar Certificate), the biochars contain substantial quantities of hazardous substances, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, polychlorinated biphenyls, and heavy metals, which can induce adverse effects if wrongly applied to the environment. To assess the toxicity of biochars to non-target organisms, toxicity tests with four benthic and zooplanktonic invertebrate species, the ciliate Paramecium caudatum, the rotifer Lecane quadridentata, and the cladocerans Daphnia magna and Moina macrocopa were performed using biochar elutriates. In acute and chronic toxicity tests, no acute toxic effect to ciliates, but significant lethality to rotifers and cladocerans was detected. This lethal toxicity might be due to ingestion/digestion by enzymatic/mechanic processes of biochar by cladocerans and rotifers of toxic substances present in the biochar. No chronic toxicity was found where biochar elutriates were mixed with soil. These data indicate that it is instrumental to use toxicity tests to assess biochars’ toxicity to the environment, especially when applied close to sensitive habitats, and to stick closely to the quantitative set-point values. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar: Productions, Properties and Applications)

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18 pages, 11088 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Pyrolysis Temperature on Biochar Microstructural Evolution, Physicochemical Characteristics, and Its Influence on Biochar/Polypropylene Composites

by Ahmed Y. Elnour, Abdulaziz A. Alghyamah, Hamid M. Shaikh, Anesh M. Poulose, Saeed M. Al-Zahrani, Arfat Anis and Mohammad I. Al-Wabel

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(6), 1149; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9061149 - 18 Mar 2019

Cited by 184 | Viewed by 10091

Abstract

Environmental management through effective utilization of biowastes has been a topic of intensive research in recent years. This study examines the effect of pyrolysis temperature on the physical and morphological characteristic of biochar (BC) derived from lignocellulosic wastes. The biochar was prepared by pyrolysing date palm biomass at various temperatures, i.e., 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 °C. These pyrolysed biochars were then characterized for their carbon content, mineral compositions, chemical functionalities, and morphological structures, for understanding their physicochemical characteristics and microstructural evolution. It was revealed that the pyrolytic condition plays a key role in the formation of biochar microstructure. These biochar samples were then utilized without any further treatments/purifications for their practical application as reinforcement materials for polymer composites. They were blended with a polypropylene matrix by a melt mixing technique followed by injection molding process. The type of biochar was found to significantly affect the composites properties. Differences in microstructure, surface chemistry, and chemical compositions of BCs were observed to be determining factors affecting the compatibility and thermomechanical properties of resulted composites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar: Productions, Properties and Applications)

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12 pages, 1760 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization of Blended Biochar Pellet by the Use of Nutrient Releasing Model

by JoungDu Shin and SangWon Park

Appl. Sci. 2018, 8(11), 2274; https://doi.org/10.3390/app8112274 - 16 Nov 2018

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4118

Abstract

For the recycling of biomass conversion materials, this experiment was conducted to investigate plant nutrient releasing characteristics, and to determine an optimum blended ratio of biochar for producing a biochar pellet based on a column leaching study. The treatments consisted of only pig manure compost (PMC) as a control, pig manure compost pellets (PMCP), and biochar pellets (BCP) blended with biochar and pig manure compost with the following ratios: 9:1, 8:2, 4:6, and 2:8. Results showed that the accumulated amount of ammonium nitrogen (NH₄-N) was in order of PMC > PMCP > BCP (2:8) > BCP (4:6) > BCP (8:2) > BCP (9:1) ratios. The highest accumulated amounts of phosphate phosphorus (PO₄-P) and potassium (K) were 1953 and 1917 mg L⁻¹ in the PMC and PMCP, but the lowest in the BCP (9:1) were 223 and 1078 mg L⁻¹, respectively. It was shown that the highest accumulated amount of silicon dioxide (SiO₂) was 2329 mg L⁻¹ in the BCP (8:2), but the lowest in the PMC was 985 mg L⁻¹. The estimations for accumulated NH₄-N, PO₄-P, K, and SiO₂ releasing amounts in all the treatments were significantly fitted with a modified Hyperbola model. The optimum mixing rate was estimated to be BCP (2:8). Therefore, biochar pellets might be useful in obtaining basic information on slow-release fertilizer for sustainable agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar: Productions, Properties and Applications)

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Review

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17 pages, 2726 KiB

Open AccessReview

Carbon-Based Catalysts for Biodiesel Production—A Review

by Jack Clohessy and Witold Kwapinski

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(3), 918; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10030918 - 31 Jan 2020

Cited by 41 | Viewed by 6146

Abstract

In recent years, a new class of superior heterogeneous acid catalyst for biodiesel production has emerged. These catalysts offer advantages over their predecessors such as high surface area, elevated acid site density, enhanced catalyst activity, good operation stability and relevant economic affordability in an environmentally friendly frame. This review was concerned with carbon-based solid acid (CBAS) catalysts derived from both carbohydrate and pyrolysis products. A series of CBASs with various origins such as D-glucose, sucrose, starch, cellulose and vegetable oil asphalt, converted to char and sulphonated, have been explored as potential heterogeneous catalysts. Catalyst preparation and synthesis methods were briefly summarized. Catalyst characterization and performance for biofuels related reactions were elucidated, identifying potential research applications. Three catalysts in particular were identified as having potential for industrial application and requiring further research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar: Productions, Properties and Applications)

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16 pages, 736 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review of Biochar Properties and Their Utilization in Crop Agriculture and Livestock Production

by Kajetan Kalus, Jacek A. Koziel and Sebastian Opaliński

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(17), 3494; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9173494 - 23 Aug 2019

Cited by 83 | Viewed by 9991

Abstract

When it comes to the use of biochar in agriculture, the majority of research conducted in the last decade has focused on its application as a soil amendment and for soil remediation. This treatment improves soil quality, increases crops yields, and sequestrates atmospheric carbon to the soil. Another widely studied aspect connecting biochar with agriculture is the composting processes of various agricultural waste with the addition of biochar. Obtaining the material via the pyrolysis of agricultural waste, including animal manure, has also been investigated. However, given the remarkable properties of biochar, its application potential could be utilized in other areas not yet thoroughly investigated. This review paper summarizes the last decade of research on biochar and its use in crop agriculture and livestock production. Knowledge gaps are highlighted, such as using biochar for the mitigation of odorous emissions from animal manure and by feeding the biochar to animals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar: Productions, Properties and Applications)

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