Influence of Pyrolysis Temperature and Production Conditions on Switchgrass Biochar for Use as a Soil Amendment

Ashworth, Amanda J.; Sadaka, Sammy; Allen, Fred L.; Sharara, Mahmoud A.; Keyser, Patrick D.

doi:10.15376/biores.9.4.7622-7635

Cited by 29 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…For material used in Year 2, a continuous, externally‐heated auger system heated at 400°C at a constant residence time of 8 min was used for biochar production (Sadaka et al, 2014). The amorphous structure, nutrient ranges, and cell wall composition of the materials applied during each experimental year were similar (Ashworth et al, 2014). Biochars applied had P, K, and Ca concentrations of 5200, 9900, and 12,900 mg kg −1 and 56 and 0.76% C and N, respectively, with a cation exchange capacity (CEC) of 141 mmol c kg −1 (Ashworth et al, 2014; Sadaka et al, 2014).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A wide range of N concentrations have been reported for biochar (1.8–56.4 g kg −1 ), with some nutrients not being labile and therefore having a high C/N ratio (Sadaka et al, 2014; Mullen et al, 2010; Lehmann, 2007). In addition, biochar nutrient concentrations depend on feedstock sources as well as thermochemical operating conditions; therefore, not all chars are equivalent and some may have no crop yield impact (Chang and Zhihong, 2009; Ashworth et al, 2014). Heating feedstocks causes volatilization of some elements, such as N, whereas most minerals become sequestered in the remaining activated C. Anex et al (2007) determined that when switchgrass coproducts are recycled into production systems, a N recovery rate of 111 kg ha −1 yr −1 can occur.…”

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Displacing Inorganic Nitrogen in Lignocellulosic Feedstock Production Systems

et al. 2016

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Second-generation feedstocks such as switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) have been proposed as sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels, although they still require nonrenewable inputs, notably, inorganic N. Th erefore, our objectives were to determine (i) the eff ects of biochar (1 and 2 Mg ha -1 ), three intercropped legumes [red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), partridgepea (Chamaecrista fasciculata [Michx.] Greene), and sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.)] vs. inorganic N [67 kg ha -1 and 0 kg ha -1 (control)] on desired feedstock characteristics, yield, and soil characteristics; and (ii) feedstock alterations and tissue-nutrient levels for postsenescence (November) and overwintering (February) harvests in a twofactor randomized block design. Overwintering harvests increased P and K remobilization, ethanol yield, fermentable sugars, and in-fi eld dry-down (P £ 0.05), although yield losses occurred (22%). November harvests had greater tissue N and fermentable substrates, leading to greater soil nutrient removals. Consequently, harvests manipulated the desired feedstock traits, whereas soil amendments had little eff ect on feedstock characteristics. Th erefore, the results suggest that legume intercrops (partridgepea) and biochar may supply analogous N to synthetic fertilizers (P £ 0.05), thereby displacing inorganic N without altering feedstock quality. However, for inorganic N alternatives to be competitive on a break-even cost basis, greater biomass yields need to be obtained under these management practices.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Displacing Inorganic Nitrogen in Lignocellulosic Feedstock Production Systems

et al. 2016

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“…However, there is no consensus on the effect that gasification temperature has on CEC, which is one of the most important properties for a soil amendment [13]. In the literature, some studies reported that CEC increases with the gasification temperature [25], while others stated the contrary effect on CEC [26,27]. Thereby, the aim of this work is to study the effects of the feedstock (wood) type and primary airflow on biochars derived from the TLUD gasification process.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of wood biomass type and airflow rate on fuel and soil amendment properties of biochar produced in a top‐lit updraft gasifier

Díez

Pérez

2018

Env Prog and Sustain Energy

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In this study, the effects of biomass type and airflow rate on the fuel and soil amendment properties of a solid byproduct (biochar, BC) produced by gasification in a top‐lit updraft reactor are studied. The results indicate that biomass with the highest fuel value index produces BC with the highest quality as a solid fuel. The best properties as a soil amendment are reached by Gua‐30‐BC as follows: the cation‐exchange capacity (CEC) of 18.6 meq/100 g, the water holding capacity (WHC) of 438%, and the total oxidizable organic carbon (TOC) of 14.2%. When the airflow increases from 20 to 40 L/min, the properties of pine BC as a solid fuel are affected. An increase in the gasification temperature leads to a diminished bulk density. Moreover, the ash content increases affecting the heating value of BC, which decreases from 27.71 to 25.5 MJ/kg. The best properties of BC as a solid fuel are reached at 20 L/min. The properties of BC as a soil amendment are affected with increased airflow as follows: the CEC decreases by 22.8%, TOC increases by 232.3%, and WHC increases by 7.6%. The best properties of BC as a soil amendment are obtained at 40 L/min. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38:e13105, 2019

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“…It has been proposed as a potential dual-purpose crop for both bioenergy and forage [45]. However, switchgrass biomass has higher recalcitrance and requires higher severity pretreatments than other lignocellulosic feedstocks such as corn stover, which is due to the unique structure of switchgrass cell walls [46][47][48].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Iron incorporation both intra- and extra-cellularly improves the yield and saccharification of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) biomass

Lin

Donohoe

Bomble

et al. 2021

Biotechnol Biofuels

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Background Pretreatments are commonly used to facilitate the deconstruction of lignocellulosic biomass to its component sugars and aromatics. Previously, we showed that iron ions can be used as co-catalysts to reduce the severity of dilute acid pretreatment of biomass. Transgenic iron-accumulating Arabidopsis and rice plants exhibited higher iron content in grains, increased biomass yield, and importantly, enhanced sugar release from the biomass. Results In this study, we used intracellular ferritin (FerIN) alone and in combination with an improved version of cell wall-bound carbohydrate-binding module fused iron-binding peptide (IBPex) specifically targeting switchgrass, a bioenergy crop species. The FerIN switchgrass improved by 15% in height and 65% in yield, whereas the FerIN/IBPex transgenics showed enhancement up to 30% in height and 115% in yield. The FerIN and FerIN/IBPex switchgrass had 27% and 51% higher in planta iron accumulation than the empty vector (EV) control, respectively, under normal growth conditions. Improved pretreatability was observed in FerIN switchgrass (~ 14% more glucose release than the EV), and the FerIN/IBPex plants showed further enhancement in glucose release up to 24%. Conclusions We conclude that this iron-accumulating strategy can be transferred from model plants and applied to bioenergy crops, such as switchgrass. The intra- and extra-cellular iron incorporation approach improves biomass pretreatability and digestibility, providing upgraded feedstocks for the production of biofuels and bioproducts.

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Influence of Pyrolysis Temperature and Production Conditions on Switchgrass Biochar for Use as a Soil Amendment

Cited by 29 publications

References 4 publications

Displacing Inorganic Nitrogen in Lignocellulosic Feedstock Production Systems

Displacing Inorganic Nitrogen in Lignocellulosic Feedstock Production Systems

Effects of wood biomass type and airflow rate on fuel and soil amendment properties of biochar produced in a top‐lit updraft gasifier

Iron incorporation both intra- and extra-cellularly improves the yield and saccharification of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) biomass

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