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 o f 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 t he 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.