ARS | Publication request: Changes in physicochemical characteristics of biochars by hydrothermal and dry carbonization of swine solids and poultry litter

Submitted to: American Chemical Society National Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: December 18, 2009
Publication Date: March 21, 2009
Citation: Bae, S., Ro, K.S., Flora, J., Novak, J.M., Berge, N. 2009. Changes in physicochemical characteristics of biochars by hydrothermal and dry carbonization of swine solids and poultry litter [abstract]. American Chemical Society National Meeting, March 21-25, 2010, San Francisco, California.

Technical Abstract: Biomass conversion from agricultural residues is an important resource for renewable energy production. Biochar, the carbonaceous materials derived from biomass conversion, has received a great attention due to its useful applications. Combination of feedstock and thermal processing conditions produces a distinctive physical and chemical property of biochar. In this study, two different carbonization processes were performed to investigate their impact on the composition, especially exhibited by functional groups. Various biochars were produced by the hydrothermal and dry carbonization techniques with swine solid and poultry litter. The effects of reaction temperature, the reaction time, and water content on changes in surface chemistry have been investigated. Hydrothermal carbonization was performed in a tubular reactor at different temperatures (200°C, 250°C) for different reaction times (4 hrs, 20 hrs). The physicochemical characteristics of biochars have been investigated by FT-IR spectroscopy, an optical contact angle measuring system and 13C-NMR spectroscopy.