Biochar production from cassava waste biomass: A techno-economic development approach in the Colombian context

Biochar has been proposed as a potential bioproduct since applications have been elucidated in the agricultural and energy sectors. This research paper aims to (i) evaluate biochar production using cassava residues (i.e., branches and peels), (ii) elucidate potential biochar applications, and (iii) assess the economic potential of biochar production in Colombia. Biochar was produced through slow pyrolysis and characterized considering pH, conductivity, and thermal properties. The economic assessment was done by calculating profitability indicators. Higher biochar yields were obtained using cassava branches (0.11 tons/ton, wet basis). A slow pyrolysis plant with a processing scale higher than 3.4 tons/h, a feedstock cost of 148.7 USD/ton, and a biochar selling price of 1600 USD/ton is feasible in Colombia. Biochar is a business opportunity sine large quantity of waste is readily available in the cassava productive chain. Biochar has potential applications as biofuel, soil amendment, carbon capture agent, graphene-based material, and supercapacitor electrodes.