Poultry Manure Derived Biochars – The Impact of Pyrolysis Temperature on Selected Properties and Potentials for Further Modifications

The overall goal of this work was to investigate the potential of poultry manure for thermal conversion into biochar and the impact of temperature on selected biochar properties. Biochar is a solid carbonized material that demonstrates a number of interesting properties such as high microporosity and surface area, presence of surface functional groups and micro and macroelements. Therefore, it can be applied as a sorbent to remove organic and inorganic substances from liquid and gaseous phases, as an amendment in composting and anaerobic fermentation, a component of fertilizers and soil improver or as a filler in production of biocomposites. The scope of this work included: collection and analysis of poultry manure samples from an organic poultry farm (a), laboratory pyrolysis of poultry manure in selected temperatures (400-700 °C) (b), the analysis of biochar properties (chemical composition, surface area, functional groups, etc.) produced at different temperatures (c) and discussion of potential applications for the produced poultry derived biochars (d). The efficiency of conversion of poultry manure to biochar was about 62% for 400 °C and about 55% for 700 °C. The obtained results demonstrated that biochars produced from poultry manure showed a complex chemical composition. The following elements were present: carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sodium, magnesium, aluminium, silicon, phosphorus, sulphur, chlorine, potassium, calcium, iron. Surface area of the obtained biochars was very low (about 5 m2g−1). Gradual aromatization of the investigated biochar and the formation of wide range of oxygen functionalities were observed. In view to the obtained results poultry manure derived biochars due to chemical composition could be potentially applied as a component of fertilizers, soil improvers and composts. However, other applications such as removal of various contaminants, e.g., from wastewater or exhaust air would require additional modification through thermal and/or chemical treatment

Management of poultry manure in Poland : current state and future perspectives

This review aimed to analyse the current state of management practices for poultry manure in Poland and present future perspectives in terms of technologies allowing closing the loops for circular economy, and thus recovery of nutrients and energy. The scope of the review focused primarily on: (1) the analysis of poultry production and generation of poultry manure with special references to quantities, properties (e.g. fertilizing properties), seasonality, etc.; (2) the overview of current practices and methods for managing poultry manure including advantages and limitations; (3) the analysis of potential and realistic threats and risk related to managing poultry manure, and also (4) the analysis of promising technologies for converting poultry manure into added value products and energy. The review addressed the following technologies: composting of poultry manure to obtain fertilizers and soil improvers, anaerobic digestion of poultry manure for energy recovery, and also pyrolysis of poultry manure into different types of biochar that can be applied in agriculture, horticulture and industry. Poultry manure is rich in macro- and micronutrients but also can contain various contaminants such as antibiotics or pesticides, and thus posing a realistic threat to soil and living organisms when applied to soil directly or after biological treatment. The main challenge in poultry manure processing is to assure sufficient closing of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous loops and safe application to soil

The Effect of Biodegradable Waste Pyrolysis Temperatures on Selected Biochar Properties

Biochars produced during biodegradable waste pyrolysis are products with a wide range of environmental applications. The effect of impact biochars depends on their properties which determine the course of specific processes. The main aim of the study was to investigate the effect of pyrolysis temperature on selected properties of biochar produced from various plant wastes (beech wood chips, walnut shells, wheat-rye straw), the valorization of which is of key importance for the implementation of the circular economy. Biochars were produced at temperatures of: 400 °C, 500 °C, 600 °C and 700 °C in a nitrogen atmosphere. An increase in the pyrolysis temperature caused a drop in the biochar production yield. As the temperature increased, higher carbon content and lower hydrogen content could be seen in the products obtained. An increase in the pH and total organic carbon (TOC) values also found. The influence of temperature on ash content, observed in the case of BWS (biochar from walnut shell) and BWRS (biochar from wheat and rye straw), did not occur in the case of BWC (biochar from beech wood chips). Another parameter that demonstrated a growing tendency with increasing temperature was the BET specific surface area (except for biochars from wheat and rye straw). An increase in pyrolysis temperature caused a decrease in the diversity and density of the surface functional groups of biochars. The influence of the type of precursor used in the production of biochar on the presence of surface functional groups was demonstrated. The presence of intense stretching vibrations of C–O bonds, having a potential impact on the sorption capacity of biochars, was determined in the FTIR spectra of BWC600 and BWC700 biochars, this feature, combined with the large BET surface area, may affect the sorption potential of these biochars. The presence of this type of high-intensity vibrations was also observed in the spectra of biochar BWRS600 and BWRS700. This can compensate for the low BET surface value and play an important role when using these biochars in sorption processes for organic and inorganic compounds

Influence of Technical Parameters of the Pyrolysis Process on the Surface Area, Porosity, and Hydrophobicity of Biochar from Sunflower Husk Pellet

Biochar is a product that has been of interest to many researchers in recent years. The use and positive effect of biochar depend on its properties, which in turn result primarily from the type of substrate used for production and the technical parameters of the pyrolysis process used. From the point of view of sustainable development, agricultural raw materials, such as sunflower husks, are good materials for biochar synthesis. The research aimed to determine the effect of changing the technical parameters of the pyrolysis process (i.e., temperature, heating rate, and residence time) on the properties of biochar obtained from sunflower husk pellets. The pellets were heated to 480 °C, 530 °C, and 580 °C. The applied heating rate for 480 °C was 4.00 and 7.38 °C·min−1, for 530 °C it was 4.42 and 8.15 °C·min−1 and for 580 °C it was 4.83 and 8.92 °C·min−1. Determining these properties is important due to the use of biochar, e.g., in the processes of sorption of pollutants from the water and soil environment. The technical parameters of the pyrolysis process used allowed us to obtain hydrophilic materials with porosity in the range of 10.11% to 15.43% and a specific surface area of 0.93 m2·g−1 to 2.91 m2·g−1. The hydrophilic nature of biochar makes it possible to use them in the processes of removing inorganic pollutants and polar organic pollutants. The presence of macropores in biochar may contribute to the improvement of water management in the soil and affect the assimilation of microelements by plants. The low content of heavy metals in biochar does not pose a threat to the environment

The Problems in Achieving Sustainable Development in the Tannery Industry in Regard to Sewage Sludge Management

The paper discusses the issue of tannery sewage sludge management as one of the barriers in reaching sustainable development in the tanning industry. The Authors present the main characteristics, and its origins, of tannery sludge limiting the possibilities of their treatment and review the proposed solutions found in literature. The paper focuses on identifying the strong and weak points of the most commonly used methods used for sewage sludge treatment as well as presents some novel approaches which remain at laboratory stage

The Problems in Achieving Sustainable Development in the Tannery Industry in Regard to Sewage Sludge Management

The paper discusses the issue of tannery sewage sludge management as one of the barriers in reaching sustainable development in the tanning industry. The Authors present the main characteristics, and its origins, of tannery sludge limiting the possibilities of their treatment and review the proposed solutions found in literature. The paper focuses on identifying the strong and weak points of the most commonly used methods used for sewage sludge treatment as well as presents some novel approaches which remain at laboratory stage

Biochar compared with activated granular carbon for landfill leachate treatment

The aim of the research was to compare the effectiveness of sorption of pollutants from landfill leachate on two granulated activated carbons (AG and BA-10) and biochar (BC). The sorption process of wastewater components on activated carbons was carried out under static conditions for 72 hours. The doses of adsorbents used varied from 2–8 g·dm-3. Results of removing of COD were estimated on the base of adsorption capacity and COD removal efficiency. After 72 h of the process at the highest doses (8 g·dm-3), the COD removal rate ranged from 40% (BA-10) to 60% (AG). In the case of biochar, the COD adsorption rate was 53% The state of sorption equilibrium takes a similar character for BC and AG and is determined after 4 h. The degree of sorption of selected metals from landfill leachate using the analyzed range ranged from 84% to 96% depending on its type

Effects of pyrolysis parameters on the yield and properties of biochar from pelletized sunflower husk

Pyrolysis of biomass residues from agriculture and food processing industry allows production of biochars with diverse physical and chemical properties for a wide range of applications in agriculture and environmental protection. Biochars produced from pelletized sunflower husks through slow pyrolysis in the range of temperatures (480–580°C) showed total carbon of 70.53%–81.96%, total nitrogen of 1.2%, alkaline pH (9.37–10.32), low surface area (0.93–2.91 m2 g-1) and porosity of 13.23–15.43%. Higher pyrolysis temperatures resulted in lower biochar yields. With the increase in temperature the content of organic matter, nitrogen, Ca and Mg decreased whereas the increase in temperature resulted in higher contents of total carbon and phosphorus. Produced biochars showed potential for agricultural applications

Effects of pyrolysis parameters on the yield and properties of biochar from pelletized sunflower husk

Pyrolysis of biomass residues from agriculture and food processing industry allows production of biochars with diverse physical and chemical properties for a wide range of applications in agriculture and environmental protection. Biochars produced from pelletized sunflower husks through slow pyrolysis in the range of temperatures (480–580°C) showed total carbon of 70.53%–81.96%, total nitrogen of 1.2%, alkaline pH (9.37–10.32), low surface area (0.93–2.91 m2 g-1) and porosity of 13.23–15.43%. Higher pyrolysis temperatures resulted in lower biochar yields. With the increase in temperature the content of organic matter, nitrogen, Ca and Mg decreased whereas the increase in temperature resulted in higher contents of total carbon and phosphorus. Produced biochars showed potential for agricultural applications

Influence of pyrolysis temperature on the heavy metal sorption capacity of biochar from poultry manure

Sorption properties of various biochars have been extensively investigated by many researchers. One of the parameters that have a significant impact on sorption properties is pyrolysis temperature. This paper presents a study on the effect of pyrolysis temperature (425, 575, 725 degrees C) on the sorption properties of poultry-manure-derived biochar (BPM). The produced biochars, i.e., BPM425, BPM575 and BPM725, demonstrated specific properties at 425, 525 and 752 degrees C such as high pH (10.40, 10.65 and 12.45), high ash contents (52.07, 61.74 and 78.38%) and relatively low BET (Brunauer, Emmett and Teller) surface area (11, 17 and 19 m(2)center dot g(-1)). The analysis of the mineral phases of the BPMs confirmed the buffering capacity. The investigated biochars were tested for sorption of Zn, Cd and Pb in mono-, double- and triple-metal batch sorption tests. According to the obtained results, biochar produced at a temperature of 575 degrees C (BPM575) can function as a sufficient sorbent for the removal of Zn, Cd and Pb from a water solution. The presented results do not confirm the effect of competing metal ions on the sorption efficiency of the selected metals by the investigated biochars. Based on that, the studied biochar sorbents can be used in environments contaminated with many metals