| | Category | EV | P22 | The Pyrolytic Synthesis of Biochar and Biofuel from Biowatse |
| | Abstract | The purpose was to produce biochar from biowaste, determine if the |
| | biochar can amend the soil improving quality, improve plant growth, and |
| | can be produced during the pyrolysis process used to make the biochar. |
| | The hypothesize was that biochar will amend the soil improving the soil |
| | quality which will encourage the plants with the highest concentration of |
| | biochar to grow tallest, and that biofuel will be produced during the |
| | process that can be captured. |
| | Biochar produced was rich in nitrogen, low in phosphorus, and moderate |
| | in potassium. The pH levels were acidic with an average of 4.7. Initial |
| | elemental analysis of the samples with Biochar added by ICP shows that |
| | the soils were amended by the addition of the biochar. After the addition of |
| | Biochar the levels of nitrogen and phosphorus appeared to be in the |
| | optimal level however the potassium was on average low. The soybeans |
| | planted in the Biochar treated clay and sand samples did not germinate. |
| | Biochar treated top soil samples did germinate and grew. Syngas was |
| | released during both the initial research with the kiln pyrolysis and with the |
| | pyrolysis apparatus made in the lab. The syngas released could possibly |
| | have enough energy to cycle the process. The liquid that was produced |
| | during pyrolysis was captured and showed that it had a boiling range of |
| | 34C –186C. In conclusion, results did support the hypothesis. The soil |
| | quality not the growth of the plants was not dependent upon the |
| | concentration of Biochar added. The hypothesis on the biowaste ability to |
| | produce a fuel and capture it was supported. It is clear that Biochar has |
| | amending potential. Optimizing the production and growing technique will |
| | prove this to be a viable source of fuel and food security. |
| | Bibliography | |
| | References |
| | Bibliography |
| | |
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