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While Malaysia produces about half of the world's palm oil and is the largest producer and exporter worldwide, oil palm industries generate large amounts of lignocellulosic biomass waste as a sub-product with no economic market value other than feedstock for energy valorisation. With the aim to increase the sustainability of the sector, in this work we prepare new materials for CO2 capture from palm oil residues (empty fruit bunches and kernels). The biochar is obtained through the carbonisation of the residues and is physically and chemically activated to produce porous materials. The resulting microporous samples have similar properties to other commercial activated carbons, with BET surfaces in the 320–880 m2/g range and pore volumes of 0.1–0.3 cm3·g−1. The CO2 uptake at room temperature for physically activated biochar (AC) was 2.4–3.6 mmolCO2/gAC, whereas the average CO2 uptake for chemically activated biochar was 3.36–3.80 mmolCO2/gAC. The amount of CO2 adsorbed decreased at the highest temperature, as expected due to the exothermic nature of adsorption. These findings confirm the high potential of palm oil tree residues as sustainable materials for CO2 capture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: This research focuses on using an environmentally friendly technology (mixture of rice straw and rice husk biochars) to sustainably minimize ammonia volatilization, increase soil nutrient retention, and improve rice plant nutrient uptake and use efficiency. The mixture of rice straw and rice husk biochars has a larger surface area and numerous pores to chelate ammonium and nitrate ions. This process will fundamentally reduce the loss of ammonia via volatilization from urea fertilizer being applied, thus reducing the excessive use of urea fertilizer in agricultural sector. The biochar at 5 and 10 t ha−1 significantly minimized ammonia volatilization by 33.5–40.7%. It resulted in an increase of nutrient uptake, use efficiency, and dry matter production of rice plant. This work may not only contribute to the reduction of urea fertilizer import bill of Malaysia, but also pave the way for better means of adding value to the agricultural waste to avoid environmental pollution. It also contributes to increasing rice production by solving the problem of ammonia loss from urea fertilizer in tropical acid soil. Nitrogen deficiency frequently occurs at agricultural soil because of NH3 volatilization to the environment which results in low urea-N use efficiency by rice plants. A pot experiment was conducted to assess the synergistic effects of a mixture of rice straw and rice husk biochars (RSRH) on (1) total N, soil exchangeable NH4+, and available NO3−, and (2) uptake of N, P, and K in rice plant. RSRH biochar at 5 and 10 t ha−1 had significantly minimized ammonia volatilization by 33.5% and 40.7%. Further, RSRH biochars also had significantly increased available NH4+, NO3−, available P, and available K in the soil over T1. In line to increase in soil nutrient availability, the rice plant height, tiller number, greenness, and panicle number were increased. This resulted in an increase of nutrient uptake, use efficiency, and dry matter production of the rice plant. RSRH biochar altered the soil environment by minimizing NH3 loss and increasing soil nutrients for efficient plant uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Power and heat production is the leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions in Malaysia, contributing to over 30% of total emissions. The transition from fossil to biomass resources in the power industry is an essential step towards achieving carbon neutrality in Malaysia. Oil palm wastes are the most abundant biomass resources in Malaysia because of the thriving oil palm industry. Consequently, two scenarios: (1) co-production of biochar and electricity, and (2) electricity generation, were proposed and simulated in Aspen Plus. A comprehensive evaluation system for mass and energy balances, techno-economic analysis, and life-cycle assessment was established to assess the two scenarios quantitatively. The results indicated that Scenario 1 achieved better economic and environmental benefits, the payback period was 6.12 to 8.89 years, and the global warming potential ranged from −885.23 to −1311.95 kg CO 2 -eq/t. The state-level spatiotemporal trajectory of oil palm waste resources and CO 2 emission reduction potentials and economic benefits were analyzed. Theoretically, fully utilizing oil palm wastes in Scenario 1 would create economic benefits of 35.36 billion USD and mitigate CO 2 emissions by 131.97 million tons in 2021. This study provides useful guidance for exploiting oil palm wastes to achieve carbon neutrality in Malaysia. [Display omitted] • Co-production of biochar and power from oil palm wastes was proposed and simulated. • Oil palm mill solid wastes present the better economic and environmental benefits. • Sarawak and Sabah possess great oil palm wastes exploitation potentials. • The development of the oil palm industry aids Malaysia in carbon neutrality. • Full exploitation of oil palm wastes can meet the electricity demand in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of sustainable materials in the construction industry has been on the rise recently. Studies have proven that the use of conventional concrete and its raw materials has a negative impact on the environment. Research on incorporating biochar as a supplementary cementitious material has been recently evolving and has shown that the attributes of biochar are highly affected by the pyrolysis parameters. These attributes have enhanced the properties of biochar concrete and mortar composite. This paper identifies the different physiochemical properties exhibited by palm kernel shell biochar through optimization by response surface methodology. Focusing on some of the properties of biochar that have proven beneficial when used as a cement replacement. Very limited research has used optimization tools for the production of biochar with the intention of using it as a cement substitute. Pyrolysis was conducted by a tubular furnace at different temperature ranges from 200 °C to 800 °C. The biomass and biochar have been analyzed with TGA and FESEM-EDX. The targeted biochar properties and selected responses are the yield, carbon, oxygen, silica, and potassium content. The optimized parameters obtained are 409 °C, 15 °C/min, 120 min with responses of 38.2% yield, 73.37% carbon, 25.48% oxygen, 0.39% potassium and 0.44% silica. Thermal properties of the palm kernel shell biochar affected by the pyrolysis factors such as temperature, heating rate and residence time have also been discussed. In conclusion, this study supports and encourages the use of palm waste, which is abundant in Malaysia, as a supplementary cementitious material to promote sustainable growth in construction. [Display omitted] • Hypothesis for a high potential of palm kernel shell biochar to be used as supplementary cementitious replacement. • The factors that are taken into consideration are pyrolysis temperature, heating rate and residence. The responses are biochar yield, carbon, oxygen, potassium, and silica content. • Optimized round of palm kernel shell biochar is 409 °C, 15 °C/min and 120 min. • The carbon content of the biochar is directly proportional to the pyrolysis temperature. • The pyrolysis temperature and residence time are more effective than heating rate on the physiochemical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy sources such as biomass have been proven to be one of the promising sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. However, using biomass directly as a fuel is less attractive due to its high moisture content, poor grindability, low bulk density, and low energy density nature. Hence biomass can be converted into biochar to overcome these challenges. In this study, biochar was derived from citrus peels biomass by slow pyrolysis over the temperature range of 300–700 °C. The effect of pyrolysis temperature on the quality of citrus peels-derived biochar was examined based on the physical and chemical properties obtained from various analyses. The citrus peels biomass and biochar were characterized by means of higher heating value (HHV) analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (FESEM-EDX), Fourier transform infrared ray (FTIR) analysis, proximate and thermogravimetric analysis. Based on the characterization results, the potential usage of the derived biochar as a solid fuel was discussed. Results obtained from the pyrolysis experiments indicated that a lower pyrolysis temperature produced a higher char yield. The carbon content and energy content of biochar were found to be increasing with pyrolysis temperature. Biochar produced at 500 °C presented the best fuel properties by having the highest value of HHV and carbon content. The results from this study provided great insights into biomass waste reutilisation to generate value-added biochar for renewable energy production in Malaysia. [Display omitted] • Promising potential for citrus peels biomass to biochar for energy conversion. • Higher heating value of citrus peels biochar comparable to sub-bituminous coal. • Carbon and energy content increased with increasing pyrolysis temperature. • Better combustion stability for biochar of higher pyrolysis temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural production in Malaysia has been continually growing. Most of the agricultural waste has been discarded or burnt on land; however, these agricultural wastes can serve as a feedstock for biochar production, which contributes an insignificant net amount of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere after soil incorporation. Three kinds of primary biochar were used in this study: empty fruit bunch biochar (EFB), wood biochar (WB), and rice husk biochar (RHB). EFB and WB were produced by slow pyrolysis, whereas RHB was produced by gasification. This study aimed to understand how pyrolysis technologies of native feedstocks impact the chemical characteristics and short-term soil stability of biochar. The kinetic parameters of C-mineralization suggested a tri-phasic C-mineralization process (labile, unstable, and recalcitrant carbon). The estimates indicated the existence of a very labile C-fraction in RHB with a very small decay constant K3. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction showed the three phases of the biochar, from the microcrystalline C of the labile fraction to the largely amorphous intermediate C of the unstable fraction, and lastly the formation of turbostratic crystallite C in the recalcitrant fraction. It has been concluded that RHB had a higher degree of aromaticity and greater stability, and therefore should be more recalcitrant to biological and chemical degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using muriate of potash (MOP) as a source of potassium (K) is a cost-effective method for crop production in tropical peat soils. However, exchangeable K commonly leaches from tropical peat soils because of high rainfall and a lack of clay to retain this cation. Potassium retention as exchangeable K could inhibit K loss through leaching to increase K availability. Clinoptilolite zeolite (CZ), forest litter compost (FLC), and chicken litter biochar (CLB) can be used to retain K from MOP in tropical peat soils for crop use because of the high affinity of CZ, FLC, and CLB for K ions. These approaches can be used as innovative and sustainable alternatives for the frequently used lime (CaCO3). However, information on using CZ, FLC, and CLB for MOP K retention is limited. Thus, CZ, FLC, and CLB were tested in a leaching study to determine their effects on MOP K retention in tropical peat soil. The use of CZ and FLC at rates of 100% and 75% of the recommended rate for pineapple cultivation (a commonly grown fruit crop in tropical peat soils in Malaysia) improved the K availability, pH, and CEC of the peat soil because of the high CEC of CZ and the humic substances (humic acids, fulvic acids, and humin) of FLC, which have a high affinity for K ions. The CLB did not improve K retention because of the competition between K, Ca, Mg, and Na ions, which are inherently high in this soil amendment. Instead of liming, which only replaces a few of the leached cations, such as calcium, the results of this study suggest an alternative method of retaining peat cations, such as K, that reduce peat acidity. This alternative method of retaining peat soil cations, especially K ions, is a practical and sustainable approach for improving peat soil productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar has the potential to increase crop yields on degraded, tropical soils. It can be readily produced in rural community settings using low-cost technology and is most economically feasible if produced from local biomass or waste residues. Biochar was produced from Leucaena biomass using low-cost pyrolysis and sequential pot experiments were then conducted in Malaysia on three degraded soils. We first evaluated the effect of Leucaena biochar on yields of Amaranthus , a leafy vegetable crop and measured changes to soil pH and nutrient availability over two growth cycles. We then tested whether any yield response to biochar was dependent upon the rate of biochar or fertilizer application. We found that biochar application at 30 t ha−1 with maximal fertilizer increased yields between 17 and 53% on very strongly acidic soil. Biochar added at 15 t ha−1 with maximal fertilizer increased yield by 54% on strongly acidic soil whilst there was no significant yield response on fertilized, slightly acidic soil. Unfertilized biochar treatments showed small yield responses across all soils over 2 growth cycles (9–11%), but yields were much lower than in fertilized treatments. Biochar also decreased short-term N availability when applied with fertilizers, which may improve nitrogen retention and substantially increased soil pH. This may reduce mobility of Fe, Mn and Al ions, which were negatively associated with yield. Our results suggest that Leucaena biochar can elicit a positive crop yield response but only when combined with fertilizer additions on very strongly to strongly acidic tropical soils. • Low cost Leucaena biochar improved crop yield only on very acidic tropical soils. • Biochar reduced short term soil N availability, potentially improving N retention. • Increased yield was associated with high soil Mg and low Fe, Mn and Al availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]