ABSTRACT
The world's growing population could soon require more energy than can be supplied from conventional means, especially as living standards improve globally. Since energy generation is accompanied by CO2 emissions, this would be better in looking forward to renewable forms of energy over fossil fuel sources which are diminishing rapidly. In such a scenario, biochar seems to be a promising option, as this is a solid material obtained from the carbonization of biomass. This unique study aimed to produce biochar from wood-based wastes which are easily available in any wood industry or carpenter shops. The biochar was produced through slow pyrolysis technique at six different temperatures using wastes of woodchip and sawdust. On basis of proximate and ultimate analytical parameters, a comparative analysis was examined between these two waste materials to assess a better option for biochar production. The preliminary results from recovered biochar suggested woodchip as a potential biochar feedstock over sawdust. The initial raw material and biochar obtained at optimum temperature were characterized through SEM, TGA, proximate, and ultimate analyses. To assess its suitability and application in alternate energy options, the energy analysis was conducted through a co-mixture of biochar and coal looking at various scenarios on environmental benefits.
