Title:
Characterisation of Rural and Industrial MSW Biomass Solid Bi-Product, and Assessment of Agronomic Potential as a Fertiliser
Author(s):
Taherymoosavi, S.T., Munroe, P., Stephen, J.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
This research forms part of an industry-linked project investigating the potential of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) biomass as an organo-mineral fertilizer complex. The benefits of such a by-product include enhanced waste management, a value added pyrolysis process and a reduction in chemical fertilizer synthesis and runoff. The agronomic properties of the charcoal bioproduct of pyrolysis are largely established. Charcoals deliver a resilient, porous, yet nutrient retentive structure, and have been shown to accommodate a subset of microbial soil biota associated with nutrient transport. Using MSW as a feedstock offers unique opportunities to develop a fertilizer, or a component thereof, with charcoal as its base. In particular, a number of studies the toxicity of MSW has been shown to be reduced greatly. To assess the agronomic potential of this type of organo-mineral fertilizer, MSW composted biochars produced at three pyrolysis temperatures (450 ºC, 550 ºC and 650 ºC), were characterized down to nano scale complexity using advanced microscopic, spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques. The biochar obtained at 650 °C had a relatively higher pH, fixed carbon and ash content with lower volatile matter, H and O content than the raw biomass. The results suggested complex reactions between organic matter and mineral phases at higher processing temperatures, which subsequently resulted in mineral attachment inside the pores and on the surface of biochar particles. Heat treatment could also change the nature of the chemical bonds that exist in biochar samples and decrease defects and surface disorders in the carbon structure. In addition, a significant change occurred in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) during the heat treatment process which resulted in a much lower DOC in the high temperature biochars, where low molecular fractions were dominant.
Keywords:
municipal solid waste (MSW), pyrolysis, biochar, characterization, microscopic and spectroscopic technologies
Topic:
Biomass Resources
Subtopic:
Municipal and industrial wastes
Event:
23rd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1CV.3.77
Pages:
378 - 386
ISBN:
978-88-89407-516
Paper DOI:
10.5071/23rdEUBCE2015-1CV.3.77
Price:
FREE
