Sorption of ammonium in banana peel and orange bagasse biochars

Abstract

Biochar studies for environmental applications becoming more and more widespread. Biochar of banana peel (BPB) and orange bagasse (OBB) produced at 400 and 600 °C were characterized and studied the sorption of the ammonium from a landfill leachate and monosolution. The characterization show a alkaline pH for all biochars produced. The BPB shows high concentration of mineral elements, indicated by a high electrical conductivity and special the K. The total Carbon show values around 50% for BPB and 70% for OBB. For the monosolution, the BPB showed slightly higher sorption capacity than the OBB, with 1000 mg/L, about 12 mg/g, and the OBB about 6 mg/g. The same trend was observed for those produced at 600 °C, used in the leaching tests, with BPB 600 °C showing better sorption capacity. The isotherms were better adjusted by Freundlich for all samples. The sorption results shows the influence of feedstock and that the pyrolysis temperature with BPB carbonized at 600 °C showing the greatest sorption capacity. The research showed promising results for the use of these biochar as leaching treatment.