Characteristics of biochar produced from slow pyrolysis of Geodae-Uksae 1

This study investigated producing biochar from Geodae-Uksae 1 for soil applications to sequestrate carbon from the atmosphere and improve the productivity of crops. Using a lab-scale packed bed reactor, pyrolysis products of Geodae-Uksae 1 were produced over a temperature range of 300-700 degrees C with a heating rate of 10 degrees C/min. Pyrolysis at 500 degrees C was found appropriate for biochar production considering the properties of char and the amount of heat required. It yielded biochar of 27.2 wt.% that contained approximately 48% carbon in the raw biomass. The surface area of the biochar rapidly increased to 181 m(2)/g. Large cylindrical pores with diameters of 5-40 mu m developed within the biochar due to the vascular cell structure of the parent biomass. The byproducts (bio-oil and gases) were also analyzed for use as fuel. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.