Regional techno‐economic and life‐cycle analysis of the pyrolysis‐bioenergy‐biochar platform for carbon‐negative energy

Li, Wenqin; Dumortier, Jerome; Dokoohaki, Hamze; Miguez, Fernando E.; Brown, Robert C.; Laird, David A.; Wright, Mark M.

doi:10.1002/bbb.2043

Cited by 27 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Techno-economic analysis at Iowa State University of fast pyrolysis biorefineries suggests a market price for biochar ranging between $50 and $100/metric ton. − Urea price ranges between $377 and $407/metric ton or between $0.41 and $0.44/lb of N in the U.S. agricultural market. The prices of paraffin wax and Ca-LS vary between $600 and $1,000/metric ton and between $2,156 and $2,256/metric ton, respectively.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhancing Biochar as Scaffolding for Slow Release of Nitrogen Fertilizer

Bakshi

Banik

Laird

et al. 2021

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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Nitrogen (N) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth; however, excessive use of N fertilizers and complexities of the N cycle in soil cause negative environmental impacts. This imposes several challenges in controlling the N availability timing and losses. The objective of this study was to develop a biochar-based slow-release fertilizer (SRF) to reduce N loss and increase N use efficiency in crop production. We provided a laboratory-based assessment of several H3PO4 activated (5 and 15%) biochar-based SRFs, produced from different combinations of biochar to urea (1:2, 1:3, 1:4, and 1:6), calcium lignosulfonate (5%), and paraffin wax (10%). Characterization analyses (SEM–EDS, XRD, FTIR, and XPS) of developed SRFs suggest successful urea grafting onto biochar through both the urea amine N and carbonyl CO modes, without urea crystal structure disruption. The SRFs were more efficient than uncoated urea (control): (1) urea released in aqueous medium was 61–90% in 4320 min for the SRFs versus 99.6% in 12 min for the control; (2) cumulative N leached from soil columns was 68–71% after 41 leaching events for SRF versus 99.9% after four leaching events for the control; and (3) NH3-N volatilization from soil was 0.2–0.9% for the SRFs versus 2% for the control. Inclusively, our results suggest that the developed SRFs are effective for reducing N loss from soil and provide larger quantities of NH4 +-N to plants for a longer time (improved N use efficiency). We attribute this to that the developed SRFs are optimal for synchronizing with plant N uptake for providing better sustainability in modern agriculture.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhancing Biochar as Scaffolding for Slow Release of Nitrogen Fertilizer

Bakshi

Banik

Laird

et al. 2021

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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“…Previous studies at the Iowa State University have shown that biochar production is profitable as part of a fast pyrolysis biorefinery. Techno-economic analyses of fast pyrolysis biorefineries have estimated positive net present values while assuming a value for biochar of only $50–$100 per metric ton. − While economic analyses have not yet been completed on the process to produce the ISIB biochar for slow-release fertilizer, autothermal pyrolysis simplifies the reactor design and reduces energy input requirements, thus reducing capital and operating expenses . Additionally, the method by which the biomass is pretreated has been evaluated using other pretreatments, most notably sulfuric acid.…”

Section: Results and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Capture and Release of Orthophosphate by Fe-Modified Biochars: Mechanisms and Environmental Applications

Bakshi

Laird

Smith

et al. 2021

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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Biochars have been suggested to have P capture potential from effluent streams and to recycle the captured P to agricultural soils. However, most biochars have low P sorption capacity. The objective of this study was to engineer biochar for enhanced P sorption affinity. Biochar was produced from corn stover biomass pre-treated with FeSO4 (ISIB) using autothermal (air-blown) pyrolysis at 500°C. Point of zero charge (pHZPC) shifted from 8.48 to 4.31 indicating that Fe treatment increased dominance of acid functional groups. Batch equilibration isotherm study showed that ISIB had 11-12 times more P sorption capacity (3,763 versus 46,300 mg kg -1 , and 6,704 versus 48,821 mg kg -1 for non-oxidized and oxidized conditions, respectively) while P desorption rate was ~1/3 relative to the control biochar. A column leaching study also shows that ISIB was effective for removing P from simulated agricultural effluent. XRD and SEM-EDS analyses showed the P sorption was predominately through inner-sphere surface complexation followed by surface precipitation and that P is preferentially sorbed by hematite (α-Fe2O3) relative to magnetite (Fe III 2O3 + Fe II O) or maghemite . This study demonstrates that ISIB can be produced by pyrolyzing corn stover with FeSO4, and the resulting ISIB is effective for adsorption and recycling of P. When loaded with P, the ISIB can potentially be used as a slow-release P fertilizer.

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“…Further, growing/harvesting the feedstock, converting it to biochar and bioenergy, and applying the biochar to cropped and forested lands, can provide a strong boost to rural economies, particularly if ways can be found to monetize the many indirect benefits listed above. Recent economic analyses suggest that deployment of a biochar/bioenergy platform would be most successful in the Southeast region of the United States where crop yields would increase the most and woody biomass is readily available (Li et al 2019;Dumortier et al 2020).…”

Section: Integrated Biochar Research: a Roadmapmentioning

confidence: 99%