Characteristics of Biochar Production Derived from Bamboo in a Drum Pyrolyzer
DOI: 10.14416/j.ind.tech.2025.04.011
Keywords:
Bamboo, Biochar, Drum pyrolyzer, PyrolysisAbstract
This study utilizes a drum pyrolyzer to investigate the production of biochar and wood vinegar from bamboo. Bamboo from Prachinburi province in Thailand was used in the experiment. Bamboo was heated to a temperature between 450 °C and 595 °C in a drum pyrolyzer (cylindrical shape). The yields of biochar, wood vinegar, and gaseous products following the pyrolysis process were at 34.6%, 16.6%, and 48.8%, respectively. Based on calculations using the yield of biochar and the heating values of both biochar and raw fuel, the pyrolyzer's energy conversion efficiency was at 44.6%. With moisture content dropping from 11.1% to 4.94%, volatile matter dropping from 78.0% to 39.2%, and fixed carbon rising from 19.8% to 52.4%, the resultant bamboo biochar displayed better properties than the raw material. Compared to the raw bamboo's 19.1 MJ/kg, the biochar's higher heating value (HHV) increased to 24.6 MJ/kg. During the pyrolysis process, the pH of the wood vinegar generated ranged from 2.85 to 3.18. Based on a one-year project timeline, the process showed economic potential with a monthly internal rate of return of 46.75% and a payback period of about two months.
References
TEI, Bamboo value chain analysis in Thailand, Thailand Environment Institute, Bangkok, Thailand, 2021.
https://pei.dede.go.th/no/dataset/energy-balance-of-thailand/resource/252e39fc-2f46-4570-8cad-42c3ec9a8187. (Accessed on 10 October 2024)
https://marketeeronline.co/archives/247024. (in Thai) (Accessed on 10 October 2024)
P. Basu, Biomass gasification and pyrolysis, 1st Ed., Elsevier, Burlington, MA, 2010.
K.A. Frimpong, C.A. Phares, I. Boateng, E. Abban-Baidoo and L. Apuri, One-time application of biochar influenced crop yield across three cropping cycles on tropical sandy loam soil in Ghana, Heliyon, 2021, 7(2), e06267.
J. Luan, Y. Fu, W. Tang, F. Yang, X. Li and Z. Yu, Impact of interaction between biochar and soil microorganisms on growth of chinese cabbage by increasing soil fertility, Applied Sciences, 2023, 13(23), 12545.
S. Mahanim, I.W. Asma, J. Rafidah, E. Puad and H. Shaharuddin, Production of activated carbon from industrial bamboo wastes, Journal of Tropical Forrest Science, 2011, 23(4), 417-424.
Y. Kurimoto, T. Kajimoto, F. Ozawa, Y. Inoue and A. Shibata, Chemical characteristic measurement of 13 commercial bamboo charcoals and comparisons to the standard bamboo charcoals prepared at temperatures from 300 °C to 800 °C, The Wood Carbonization Research Society, 2019, 16(1), 3-12.
N. Jarawi and I. Jusoh, Charcoal properties of Malaysian bamboo charcoal carbonized at 750 °C, BioResources, 2023, 18(3), 4413-4429.
TCPS 657-2547, Wood Charcoal for Cooking, Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI), Bangkok, 2004. (in Thai).
TCPS 658-2547, Wood Charcoal for Grilling, Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI), Bangkok, 2004. (in Thai).
N. Homdoung, K. Sasujit, J. Uttharuan, T. Wongsiriamnuay and N. Tippayawong, Influence of torrefaction temperature and time on the yields and properties of torrefied biomass, Engineering and Applied Science Research, 2019, 46(2), 170-175.
T. Mungkunkamchao, T. Kesmala, S. Pimratch, B. Toomsan and D. Jothityangkoon, Wood vinegar and fermented bioextracts: Natural products to enhance growth and yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), Scientia Horticulturae, 2013, 154, 66-72.
X. Liu, Y. Zhan, X. Li, Y. Li, X. Feng, M. Bagavathiannan, C. Zhang, M. Qu and J. Yu, The use of wood vinegar as a non-synthetic herbicide for control of broadleaf weeds, Industrial Crops and Products, 2021, 173, 114105.
J.L. Riggs, D.D. Bedworth and S.U. Randhawa, Engineering economics, 4th Ed., McGraw-Hill, NY, 1996.
