Biochar, a major co-product from the pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass is rich in carbon and is often used as a soil amendment to promote crop production and as a soil carbon sequestration medium to maintain long-term soil health of marginal lands. Pyrolysis is the thermal decomposition of biomass in the absence of oxygen to primarily produce bio-oil with biochar being a co-product. Biochar is also primarily produced from wood logs using conventional carbonization methods (eg. Missouri kilns). For sustainable production of biochar, the most sustainable production route is important for large-scale production of biochar for soil carbon sequestration applications. The main objectives of this study were to conduct the life cycle analysis of producing biochar using three major production routes (fast pyrolysis, slow pyrolysis and Missouri kiln) and to evaluate the life cycle energy and environmental impacts of biochar production from southern pinewood.
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