Session: 08-05-01: Energy-Related Multidisciplinary I

Paper Number: 145010

145010 - Evaluation of Biochar Production Through Slow Pyrolysis of Corn Agroindustry Residues in the Department of Córdoba, Colombia. 

The increase in corn production in Colombia has led to a significant accumulation of agricultural residues, particularly corn cobs. In 2023, the total corn production reached 1,949,538 tons in the country, with the department of Córdoba being the second largest producer, with 230,932 tons [1]. This increase in production results in the generation of approximately 0.186 kg of corn cobs for every kilogram of harvested dry corn [2], representing approximately 43,000 tons of waste annually in the department of Córdoba. The accumulation of these agricultural residues has a significant impact on the emission of greenhouse gases and other atmospheric pollutants, contributing to air pollution and climate change [3], [4]. This situation presents a promising opportunity for the valorization of bioenergy and bioinputs through thermochemical routes, among which pyrolysis is included [5]. During this process, combustible gases, bio-oils, and biochar are produced [6]. Biochar has various applications, including its ability to improve soil fertility, retain nutrients, retain water, and mitigate climate change through carbon capture [7], [8]. All these advantages are mainly enhanced by the amount of organic carbon and the porous structure. These characteristics are highly dependent on operating conditions such as temperature and heating rate [9].

 

This study focuses on evaluating textural parameters and the inorganic fraction response to various heating rate profiles in a packed bed-scale process. The heating rate profiles were manipulated by configuring the heating time in a horizontal furnace within a control loop operated by an electrical power source. Additionally, the apparent kinetics were studied, adjusted with diffusive phenomena based on deconvolution techniques coupled with heat and mass transport models.

 

The results revealed that the Specific Surface Area values of the biochar samples derived from corn cob ranged between 12 and 43 m²/g, with heating rates between 5°C/min and 15 °C/min and ash content close to 7.8% w/w.

 

References

[1]         “Estadísticas - Fenalce.” Accessed: Mar. 08, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://fenalce.co/estadisticas/

[2]         J. Antonio Echeverría, R. I. Lesme Jaén, J. I. Alfonso Martillo Aseffe, and L. I. Oscar Oliva Ruiz, “Estudio de la gasificación de la tusa del maíz para la generación de electricidad,” Ingeniería Mecánica, vol. 23, no. 3, 2020, Accessed: Mar. 08, 2024. [Online]. Available: http://scielo.sld.cu/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1815-59442020000300008&lng=es&nrm=iso&tlng=es

[3]         K. Phuakpunk, B. Chalermsinsuwan, and S. Assabumrungrat, “Comparison of chemical reaction kinetic models for corn cob pyrolysis,” Energy Reports, vol. 6, pp. 168–178, Nov. 2020, doi: 10.1016/J.EGYR.2020.08.041.

[4]         L. S. Paraschiv and S. Paraschiv, “Contribution of renewable energy (hydro, wind, solar and biomass) to decarbonization and transformation of the electricity generation sector for sustainable development,” Energy Reports, vol. 9, pp. 535–544, Sep. 2023, doi: 10.1016/J.EGYR.2023.07.024.

[5]         T. Rasool and S. Kumar, “Kinetic and Thermodynamic Evaluation of Pyrolysis of Plant Biomass using TGA,” Mater Today Proc, vol. 21, pp. 2087–2095, Jan. 2020, doi: 10.1016/J.MATPR.2020.01.328.

[6]         L. J. R. Nunes, J. C. De Oliveira Matias, and J. P. Da Silva Catalão, “Introduction,” Torrefaction of Biomass for Energy Applications, pp. 1–43, Jan. 2018, doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-809462-4.00001-8.

[7]         X. Peng, F. Hu, T. Zhang, F. Qiu, and H. Dai, “Amine-functionalized magnetic bamboo-based activated carbon adsorptive removal of ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin: A batch and fixed-bed column study,” Bioresour Technol, vol. 249, pp. 924–934, Feb. 2018, doi: 10.1016/J.BIORTECH.2017.10.095.

[8]         M. E. Doumer et al., “Slow pyrolysis of different Brazilian waste biomasses as sources of soil conditioners and energy, and for environmental protection,” J Anal Appl Pyrolysis, vol. 113, pp. 434–443, May 2015, doi: 10.1016/J.JAAP.2015.03.006.

[9]         M. Kamali et al., “Scientometric analysis and scientific trends on biochar application as soil amendment,” Chemical Engineering Journal, vol. 395, p. 125128, Sep. 2020, doi: 10.1016/J.CEJ.2020.125128.

Presenting Author: Antonio Bula Universidad del Norte

Presenting Author Biography: Professor and Chair of the Mechanical Engineering Department at Universidad del Norte in Barranquilla, Colombia. Former Chair of the Advanced Energy Systems Division.

Authors:

Jorge Emilio Rhenals Hoyos Universidad de Cordoba
Cristina Isabel Cogollo Torres Universidad de Cordoba
Antonio Bula Universidad del Norte
Rafael David Gomez Vasquez Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana
Jesús David Rhenals Julio Universidad de Córdoba
Jorge Mario Mendoza Fandiño Universidad de Cordoba
Alvaro Angel Arrieta Almario Universida de Sucre