article · Biofuels
Combining agricultural and animal by-products offers a sustainable route to value-added biochar. In this comparative investigation, sugarcane bagasse and chicken feathers were blended and processed in a top-lit updraft reactor using a cross-doping approach. Two formulations were evaluated: one composed of 92% bagasse with 8% feathers, and another composed of 92% feathers with 8% bagasse, achieving yields of 34% and 27%, respectively. Spectroscopic testing showed characteristic functional groups across both materials, with doping exerting minimal effect on these profiles. Morphological analysis revealed a smoother surface for the bagasse-dominant biochar, whereas the feather-dominant material exhibited an irregular, rough structure with higher nitrogen content. Crucially, surface area measurements demonstrated that both doped biochars surpassed the specific surface areas reported for unmodified feedstocks, confirming that co-processing lignocellulosic and protein-rich animal waste creates beneficial synergistic enhancements.
Combining plant residues and poultry waste addresses disposal problems while creating higher-performing carbon materials. Upcycling mixed biomass streams can reduce agricultural waste and deliver enriched biochars. The observed increase in surface area and nitrogen content suggests that co-processing different organic residues can improve material properties without requiring complex chemical modifications, supporting more sustainable waste valorisation strategies.
This study represents early-stage laboratory research into waste valorisation methods. The process could interest waste management operators, agricultural processors, and biochar manufacturers looking to convert mixed residues into porous carbon materials. However, because the abstract focuses strictly on material characterisation and yield rather than scaled testing or performance trials in specific target environments, significant further development and validation are required before commercial deployment.
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This comparative study explores the production and characterization of biochar derived from a combination of sugarcane bagasse (SB) and chicken feathers (CF), with a doping strategy for each biomass in the other. Two biochars, SB92CF-BC (92% SB and 8% CF) and CF92SB-BC (92% CF and 8% SB), were produced using a top-lit updraft reactor, resulting in a yield of 34% and 27%, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed characteristic functional groups in both biochars, with minimal impact from the doping process. Scanning electron spectroscopy (SEM) analysis showed distinct morphological features, with SB92CF-BC exhibiting a smoother surface and CF92SB-BC displaying an irregular and rough morphology. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis confirmed the presence of several elements in both biochars, with a higher nitrogen content in CF92SB-BC. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis demonstrated significant specific surface areas for both biochars, exceeding those reported for unmodified SB and CF biochars. The findings suggest potential synergistic effects resulting from the doping strategy. The study expands knowledge on biochar production from diverse biomass sources and highlights the potential for utilizing lignocellulosic and non-lignocellulosic biomass waste materials for sustainable biochar production.
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DOI: 10.1080/17597269.2023.2274694
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