In lieu of decarbonizing economies towards sustainability,
Statistical analysis showed that
pyrolysis is a well-known processing technology to convert
biomass into useful fuels, chemicals and materials. Tradi-
tionally, pyrolysis is conducted in pressurized and complex
reactor vessels with significant input of heat. Moreover, pre-
processing requires the drying of biomass. To circumvent
the complexity and input of additional energy, a growing
body of research shows microwave processing to be a bene-
ficial alternative. By varying the process conditions, viable
biochar, a pre-cursor to carbon-based nanomaterial, can be
maximized.
For the first time, this study determined the significant
factors that affect the biochar yield from microwave pyrolysis
of cob wastes, an underutilized agricultural waste in the Phil-
ippines. Corn being one of the top produce in the country,
yields 4.96 million tons annually which consequently gener-
ates high amounts of waste. This study aimed to combine
the unique heating capability of microwave in producing bio-
char to address environmental concerns and sustainability.
Experimental design: Half resolution (2k-1) Factorial
EXPOSURE CATALYST PYRROLE POLYMERIZA- OUTPUT
LEVEL TIME CONC TION TIME
CONC POWER
Low 5 min 0.1 M 0.05 M 3 hrs 450 W
High 10 min 0.3 M 0.10 M 24 hrs 700 W
PRETREATMENT
• Size reduction of corn cobs
• Preparation of catalyst and
pyrrole solution
PYROLYSIS
• Microwave pyrolysis at varying exposure time and output
power using domestic microwave oven (Samsung
ME711K) and a quartz boiling flask.
CHARACTERIZATION
• Fourier transform Infrared spectra (functional groups)
• Energy Dispersive X-ray (elemental carbon)
• Scanning Electron Microscopy (surface morphology)
• X-ray Diffraction (crystalline structure)
COST ANALYSIS
• Energy and cost calculation for pretreatment, pyrolysis and
post-treatment methods per gram feed
PARAMETRIC STUDY.
there were 3 significant factors affecting
biochar yield namely exposure time, mi-
crowave output power and the interac-
tion of both factors. . It was observed
that at higher energy exposure driven by
long microwave exposure time and/or
high microwave power output, there is a
decrease in biochar yield. Moreover, ex-
posure time become insignificant at high output power
CHARACTERIZATION. Partial and total
thermal decomposition was observed by
the disappearance of C-H aliphatic
bonds in samples ran at 5 min-450 W
(LTLP) and 10 min– 700W (HTHP) via
FT-IR. A more quantitative approach
using EDX analysis showed an average
of 67.11 % carbon at LTLP and 81.32%
carbon at HTHP as compared to the
42% carbon in raw corn cob. This quali-
tatively and quantitively confirmed carbonization of corn
cobs into biochar. The SEM images showed an extensive
pore development in both samples (LTLP and HTHP) which
can be used in adsorption, gas separations and composite
materials. Moreover, XRD analysis showed graphitic and
pre-graphitic properties in the biochar which can be applied
in electrode applications.
COST ANALYSIS. Comparing a labor-
atory-scale pyrolysis setup using con-
ventional and microwave method, con-
ventional requires 18.72 times more
energy due to pre-drying. Moreover,
conventional method is 4.72 times
costlier than the micro-
wave method. The
costs are highly attribut-
ed to energy and chemical requirements of the processes.
Conclusion
Microwave pyrolysis was successful in producing a
viable biochar product with high carbon content and with
various applications such as in gas adsorptions, elec-
trodes and in catalysis . It was proven to have a good po-
tential in becoming a more cost-effective alternative from
cost analysis. Moreover, it omits high-energy consuming
methods such as drying prior pyrolysis.
References : Zafar (2015), Yu et. al (2010), Wang (2008), Tang et al., (2016), Tsai et al. (1998)