POTENTIAL USE OF BIOCHAR IN WASTEWATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS AND SOIL IMPROVEMENT

Biochar is produced through thermochemical decomposition, so called as pyrolysis, of different biomass groups in the presence of little or no oxygen. Resultant material is highly stable material with excellent surface characteristics and pore structure and is also rich in functional groups. Such properties of the material are largely influenced by pre- and post-treatments and thermal decomposition conditions. Various methods have been used for thermal decomposition of biomass, such as pyrolysis thermal carbonization, torrefaction and microwave heating at different temperatures and for different durations. Biochar has recently started to be used for wastewater treatment and water pollution control purposes. It is also used to improve soil properties including aggregate stability, water holding capacity and organic matter content. It is a new, economic and environment friendly material to be used in wastewater treatments technology and soil improvement. In this study, biochar production technologies and properties of resultant materials were summarized and potential use of biochar in wastewater treatments operations and for soil improvement were assessed in detail.