Production of biochar from wastes

In this study, broiler chicken manure, vine stalk, corn stalk, olive leaf and stalk was treated by torrefaction method for the production of biochar which was used as a fuel. For this purpose, the torrefaction of biomass was carried out at different temperatures (250, 300 and 350 °C) and at reaction time (30 minute). In this study, the biochars were analyzed for elemental composition, thermal degradation characteristic, organic and PAH content. The temperature was the significant factor affecting the yield and characteristics of biochar. Higher temperatures increased the biochar's carbon content but reduced its mass yield and energy yield. Over the range of temperature employed here, approximately 32–78% of the starting feedstock mass was recovered as biochar. The energy contents per weight of the biochars were from 20 to 28 MJ/kg which are more than that of lignite and close to that of typical bituminous coals.