Biowaste to Biochar: Machine Development and Performance Evaluation
Biowaste to Biochar: Machine Development and Evaluation
Abstract
Traditional biomass burning increase pollutants and reduce charcoal yield. Combustion and gasificationemit significant hydrocarbons due to exothermic reactions. Biochar obtained from thermo-chemical conversion of biomass in an oxygen-limited environment can help to retain water and nutrients in soil. This study was initiated to develop and evaluate the performance of a biochar production machine to optimize pyrolysis process, minimizes CO2 emissions and enabling cost-effective biochar production machine. Mild Steel Sheets(ASTM A36, ASTM 1020) were used to make the double layer combustion chamber having inner volume of 0.35m3. Three heater board(1000W capacity) were laid on the upper surface of the inner cylinder. Non-combustible glass wool was used in the gap between the cylinders to remove heat loss. Rice straw, jute sticks, and mustard plants were used as possible biochar feed stock in this machine. All feed stocks were burned between 300- 5000C temperature. Maximum biochar was found 54.7% from rice straw at 3000C and average of 45.67% from all feedstock. Maximum percentage of carbon was found 41.1% from jute stick biochar at 5000C. The electric heating coil consumed 1.58 kWh of power on average and the maximum energy consumption was found 1.89 kWh for 300˚C temperature.
