Production and Characterisation of Teak Tree Saw Dust and Rice Husk Biochar

Abstract

Biochar is one of the products obtained from biomass pyrolysis and a useful ingredient for agriculture. The present study discusses on the production and characterisation of biochars derived from Teak tree saw dust (TTSD) and Rice husk (RH). The biochars were produced at a pyrolysis temperature 450 °C with the heating rate of 15 °C/min in a fixed bed reactor. Physical, chemical and thermal properties were evaluated in order to compare both the biochars with the help of proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The carbon contents of the biochars ranged from 65.46 to 66.55 wt%, while the oxygen contents were within 30.21 wt%. Both the biochars showed alkalinity behaviour with pH values more than 8 which is similar to many other biochars. The significant degradation was observed on both the biochars after 300 °C and only about 25–40 wt% biochars decomposed till 600 °C. The XRD spectrum identified the possible presence of some elements such as KCl, SiO2 and CaCO3 on the biochras. In both the biochars, aromatic functional groups were found confirming the aromatic compounds on the biochars. The SEM images showed some flaky fragments and tiny white particles likely to be coalescence of calcium and potassium on TTSD biochar. On the other hand, longitudinal fibrous structures without any pores are observed on RH morphology.