Open AccessParametric and optimization studies for biochar production from municipal solid wastes (MSW) via pyrolysis
Author(s) -
Katrina Joy T. Castillo,
Monet Concepcion Maguyon-Detras,
Veronica P. Migo,
Catalino G. Alfafara
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
iop conference series. materials science and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1757-899X
pISSN - 1757-8981
DOI - 10.1088/1757-899x/778/1/012078
Subject(s) - biochar , pyrolysis , raw material , charcoal , heat of combustion , pulp and paper industry , waste management , factorial experiment , yield (engineering) , coal , municipal solid waste , environmental science , chemistry , materials science , mathematics , composite material , combustion , engineering , organic chemistry , statistics
The accumulation of municipal solid wastes (MSW) and the negative implications of using fossil fuels are some of the current environmental issues in the Philippines. Hence, this study aimed to utilize MSW by converting it into biochar through pyrolysis and maximize biochar production for energy application. The effects of pyrolysis parameters such as temperature and holding time on biochar yield were initially determined using 2 k factorial experiment. Results showed that both factors had negative effects on biochar yield wherein temperature had a relatively higher impact. For the optimization study, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was performed to determine the optimum pyrolysis conditions for maximum biochar production. The optimum conditions were found to be 300°C and 20 min holding time resulting to maximum biochar yield of 69.64 % by wt. Biochar characteristics were evaluated in terms of higher heating value (HHV), proximate and elemental analyses to determine its suitability as alternative fuel. The HHV of biochar obtained at optimum conditions was about 15.82 MJ/kg which is higher compared to that of the raw MSW (14.42 MJ/kg) and biochar obtained at extreme conditions (13.03 MJ/kg). Moreover, the energy recovery at optimum conditions based on biochar yield was about 76.37% which was also higher compared to that of the biochar obtained at higher temperature and holding time which was about 32.75 %. Using van Krevelen diagram, MSW-derived biochar at the optimum conditions can be classified as lignite, while MSW-derived biochar at extreme conditions is comparable to anthracite coal.