Improvement of energy properties of lignocellulosic waste by thermochemical conversion into biochar

Abstract

Peach stones, a valuable agro-industrial by-product available in many countries worldwide, comprise a renewable resource, which can be widely applied for multifunctional purposes. Its important advantages such as high-energy value, low ash content, low price and wide abundance, make peach stones an ideal fuel for energy production, but also for new materials synthesis. Although peach stones exhibit adequate combustion properties, allowing their direct use with minimal physical/chemical treatment, they often need further modification in order to improve their thermal properties, where slow pyrolysis is frequently used. This study aims to provide a practical and effective solution to the revalorization of waste biomass originating from the fruit processing industry, through slow pyrolysis in order to convert this waste into carbonaceous material - biochar. The thermo-chemical conversion of raw biomass resulted in a stable material with excellent fuel properties, with higher mass energy density and grinding ability, providing biochar with properties, in energy sense, similar or even better than a coal. Biochar has a higher fixed carbon content and a higher energy potential than biomass itself, and its application as a biofuel might reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, as it reduces the amount of waste landed and increases the share of energy generated from renewable sources.