TY - JOUR
T1 - Assessment of the use of biochar from the slow pyrolysis of walnut and almond shells as an energy carrier
AU - Fernandez, Anabel
AU - Zalazar-García, Daniela
AU - Torres, Erick
AU - Torres-Sciancalepore, Rodrigo
AU - Parthasarathy, Prakash
AU - McKay, Gordon
AU - Fouga, Gastón
AU - Mazza, Germán
AU - Rodriguez, Rosa
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - This study explores the energy applications and combustion kinetics of biochar produced from walnut and almond shells through pyrolysis. Using macro-thermogravimetric analysis at heating rates of 10, 15, and 20 K min−1, a multi-step mechanism involving two parallel reactions was used to model thermal decomposition. Bioenergy indices revealed that walnut shell-based biochar (WSB) produced at 773 K and 873 K displayed superior biofuel potential due to its high energy density and low ash content, while almond shell-based biochar (ASB) at 673 K demonstrated the best overall bioenergy performance. Among the tested heating rates, 15 K min−1 provided optimal results for ignition, combustion, and burnout indices, with WSB showing the highest overall combustion performance. Kinetic analysis using the Coats-Redfern method demonstrated the highest R2 values and minimized RMSE and SSE. The activation energy for the first pseudo-component ranged from 54.91 to 129.84 kJ mol−1 for ASB and from 61.71 to 141.85 kJ mol−1 for WSB. For the second pseudo-component, the activation energy ranged from 25.21 to 159.32 kJ mol−1 for ASB and 25.63 to 96.25 kJ mol−1 for WSB. These findings emphasize the potential of WSB and ASB biochar for bioenergy applications, with WSB exhibiting the best combustion characteristics.
AB - This study explores the energy applications and combustion kinetics of biochar produced from walnut and almond shells through pyrolysis. Using macro-thermogravimetric analysis at heating rates of 10, 15, and 20 K min−1, a multi-step mechanism involving two parallel reactions was used to model thermal decomposition. Bioenergy indices revealed that walnut shell-based biochar (WSB) produced at 773 K and 873 K displayed superior biofuel potential due to its high energy density and low ash content, while almond shell-based biochar (ASB) at 673 K demonstrated the best overall bioenergy performance. Among the tested heating rates, 15 K min−1 provided optimal results for ignition, combustion, and burnout indices, with WSB showing the highest overall combustion performance. Kinetic analysis using the Coats-Redfern method demonstrated the highest R2 values and minimized RMSE and SSE. The activation energy for the first pseudo-component ranged from 54.91 to 129.84 kJ mol−1 for ASB and from 61.71 to 141.85 kJ mol−1 for WSB. For the second pseudo-component, the activation energy ranged from 25.21 to 159.32 kJ mol−1 for ASB and 25.63 to 96.25 kJ mol−1 for WSB. These findings emphasize the potential of WSB and ASB biochar for bioenergy applications, with WSB exhibiting the best combustion characteristics.
KW - Biochar
KW - Biofuel properties
KW - combustion performance
KW - multi-step mechanism
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85209396823&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/15567036.2024.2421462
DO - 10.1080/15567036.2024.2421462
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85209396823
SN - 1556-7036
VL - 46
SP - 15379
EP - 15394
JO - Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization and Environmental Effects
JF - Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization and Environmental Effects
IS - 1
ER -