Life-cycle assessment of pyrolysis processes for sustainable production of biochar from agro-residues

Xiefei Zhu; Claudia Labianca; Mingjing He; Zejun Luo; Chunfei Wu; Siming You; Daniel C W Tsang

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127601

Life-cycle assessment of pyrolysis processes for sustainable production of biochar from agro-residues

Bioresour Technol. 2022 Sep:360:127601. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127601. Epub 2022 Jul 11.

Authors

Xiefei Zhu¹, Claudia Labianca², Mingjing He², Zejun Luo³, Chunfei Wu⁴, Siming You⁵, Daniel C W Tsang⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Thermal Science and Energy Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, 96 Jinzhai Road, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
² Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
³ Department of Thermal Science and Energy Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, 96 Jinzhai Road, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China.
⁴ School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AG, UK.
⁵ James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK.
⁶ Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; Research Institute for Future Food, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. Electronic address: dan.tsang@polyu.edu.hk.

PMID: 35835419
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127601

Abstract

Net carbon management of agro-residues has been an important pathway for reducing the environmental burdens of agricultural production. Converting agro-residues into biochar through pyrolysis is a prominent management strategy for achieving carbon neutrality in a circular economy, meeting both environmental and social concerns. Based on the latest studies, this study critically analyzes the life cycle assessment (LCA) of biochar production from different agro-residues and compares typical technologies for biochar production. Although a direct comparison of results is not always feasible due to different functional units and system boundaries, the net carbon sequestration potential of biochar technology is remarkably promising. By pyrolyzing agro-residues, biochar can be effectively produced and customized as: (i) alternative energy source, (ii) soil amendment, and (iii) activated carbon substitution. The combination of life cycle assessment and circular economy modelling is encouraged to achieve greener and sustainable biochar production.

Keywords: Activated carbon; Carbon neutrality; Circular economy; Engineered biochar; Renewable energy; Sustainable waste management.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Carbon Sequestration
Charcoal* / chemistry
Pyrolysis*
Soil

Substances

Soil
biochar
Charcoal