Comparative Analysis of Pigeonpea Stalk Biochar Characteristics and Energy Use under Different Biochar Production Methods

Kumar, N V and Sawargaonkar, G L and Rani, C S and Singh, A and Prakash, T R and Triveni, S and Kamdi, P J and Pasumarthi, R and Karthik, R and Venkatesh, B (2023) Comparative Analysis of Pigeonpea Stalk Biochar Characteristics and Energy Use under Different Biochar Production Methods. Sustainability (TSI), 15. pp. 1-17. ISSN 2071-1050

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Abstract

The disposal of crop residues from agricultural fields is often seen as a burden due to the difficulties involved. However, this study aims to turn pigeonpea stalks into biochar, which can serve as a fuel substitute and soil amendment to sequester carbon. Different pyrolysis methods were employed to investigate the variations in yield, physicochemical characteristics, and higher heating value (HHV) of biochar produced from pigeonpea stalks. The biochar produced using a muffle furnace exhibited higher fixed carbon and ash content. These characteristics make it beneficial for restoring degraded agricultural soils by enhancing carbon sequestration. In addition, the muffle furnace biochar demonstrated a total potential carbon ranging from 262.8 to 264.3 g of carbon per kilogram of biochar, along with a CO2 reduction potential ranging from 77.17 to 79.68 CO2 eq per kg. Both the European Biochar Certificate and the International Biochar Initiative confirmed the agronomic abilities of the biochar and its compliance with the highest quality standards for soil carbon sequestration, with 0.11 H/C and 0.7 O/C ratios. Furthermore, biochar produced by muffle furnace from pigeonpea stalks exhibited superior fixed carbon recovery efficiency (181.66 to 184.62%), densification (5.86 to 6.83%), energy density (1.77 to 2.06%), energy retention efficiency (54.80 to 56.64%), fuel ratio (18.95 to 22.38%), and HHV (30.66 to 32.56 MJ kg-1). Additionally, it had lower H/C and O/C ratios, suggesting its potential as an alternative solid fuel. The results of the characterization of biochar with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed that the biochar samples prepared with both the methods had carbonyl (C=O), C=C, and aromatic C-H functional groups; however, the biochar prepared in the muffle furnace had more porosity. In summary, this study highlights the potential of using pigeonpea stalks to produce biochar, which can be utilized as a renewable fuel substitute and soil amendment to sequester carbon. The biochar derived from the muffle furnace exhibited desirable physicochemical characteristics, high carbon content, and excellent energy properties, making it a promising option for various applications.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	Global Research Program - Resilient Farm and Food Systems
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	muffle furnace, pigeonpea, biochar, kiln, carbon sequestration potential, FTIR, SEM
Subjects:	Mandate crops > Pigeonpea
Depositing User:	Mr Nagaraju T
Date Deposited:	21 Feb 2024 10:23
Last Modified:	21 Feb 2024 10:23
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/12496
Official URL:	https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/19/14394
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement:	We acknowledge the support of Central Sophisticated Instrumentation Facility, BITS-Pilani, K.K. Birla Goa campus for conducting SEM and FTIR analyses.
Links:	Google Scholar

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