Characterisation of biochar from various carbon sources

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to characterise biochar produced from various carbon sources. This study was conducted using a Nested De sign with three replications. Three carbon sources, rice husk (RH), corn co bs (CC), and bagasse sugarcane (BS) were pyrolysed for 2 hours at temper atures of 400, 500 and 600°C. The three types of biochar were then analyse d on their moisture content, ash content, fixed carbon content, volatile matt er, calorific value, particle size and elemental analysis results. The results of this study were that the temperature of pyrolysis at 600 °C can optimally produce biochar with the lowest moisture content, ash content and volatile matter value, and highest fixed carbon and calorific values. The particle siz e analysis shows that biochar produced using this optimum condition has the smallest average particle size distribution. The elemental analysis condu cted through Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray s pectroscopy (SEM-EDX) shows various elements in each biochar produce d from the three different carbon sources.