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Inorganic minerals are important compositions in biochars, but their roles in biochar functions are investigated limitedly, which restricted our understanding on biochar applications. This study applied different biomasses to produce biochars. Their properties as well as sorption to bisphenol A (BPA) were studied, with a major focus on the role of inorganic compositions. Oxalates, carbonates, as well as KCl crystals were observed in the produced biochars depending on the feedstocks and temperatures. Oxalates and KCl formed at relatively low temperature (200–300 °C), while carbonates generally formed at pyrolysis temperature above 400 °C. The separated insoluble crystal particles and the dissolved salts have limited contribution to the apparent BPA sorption, but ash content removal altered BPA sorption. The potential impact of inorganic composition to BPA sorption should be resulted from biochar properties. Based on biochar characterization and sorption comparison before and after ash removal, we proposed that the formation of inorganic mineral compositions in biochar particles may have blocked the inner pores, which limited the significance of these sorption sites. As a result, the interactions of BPA and biochars were mostly determined by biochar surface functional groups. The acid treatment removed most of the inorganic compositions, and exposed more sorption sites, which consequently increased BPA sorption. Biochar sorption capacity may be further increased if the accessibility of the inner pores could be enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Four types of Canadian waste biomass were used for the fast pyrolysis using a mobile pyrolysis unit. [•] The effects of pyrolysis temperature were investigated on the properties of pyrolysis products for each precursor. [•] Comprehensive characterization of 4 feedstocks collected from 3 main sources of Canadian biomass (agricultural wastes, forest residue and animal manure) was performed. [•] Bio-char and bio-oil are characterized to evaluate their energy and agronomic potentials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Effective management and utilization of food waste and agricultural crop residues are highly crucial to mitigate the challenges of greenhouse gas generation upon natural decomposition and waste accumulation. Conversion of biogenic wastes to biofuels and bioproducts can address the energy crisis and promote environmental remediation. This study was focused on exploring the characteristics of food waste and agricultural crop residues (e.g., canola hull and oar hull) to determine their candidacy for slow pyrolysis to produce biochar and bio-oil. Process parameters of slow pyrolysis such as temperature, reaction time and heating rate were optimized to obtain maximum biochar yields. Maximum biochar yield of 28.4 wt% was recorded at optimized temperature, heating rate and reaction time of 600 °C, 5 °C/min and 60 min, respectively. Furthermore, the physicochemical, spectroscopic and microscopic characterization of biochar, bio-oil and gases were performed. The carbon content and thermal stability of biochar were found to increase at higher temperatures. Moreover, bio-oil generated at higher temperatures showed the presence of phenolics and aromatic compounds. [Display omitted] • Process optimization for slow pyrolysis of food waste, canola hull, and oat hull. • Highest yield of biochar obtained at 600 °C with 5 °C/min heating rate in 60 min. • Biochar yields at optimized conditions: food waste (28.4 wt%) < canola hull (28.8 wt%) < oat hull (29.1 wt%). • Calorific values of food waste biochar: 300 °C (20.5 MJ/kg) < 400 °C (21.2 MJ/kg) < 500 °C (22 MJ/kg) < 600 °C (22.3 MJ/kg). • Biochar at high temperature showed greater thermal stability and aromaticity of carbon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioenergy can be produced from a wide range of feedstocks and can be utilised for production of renewable electricity, thermal energy, chemicals or transportation fuels. Anaerobic digestion technology (AD) for biogas production has an important role in achieving circular economy goals, as it may not only recover the energy contained in the biomass but also contribute to nutrient recovery and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The expansion of biogas production promotes the need for assessment of the technical potential of biomass, which is available for biogas production and is not in the competition with other purposes. This research work presents a Geographical Information System (GIS) based approach for the assessment of the spatial distribution of the biogas production potential by taking into consideration seasonal variation of biomass production, in order to assess the influence of biomass seasonality. The method developed in this research work is based on a combination of statistical and spatial explicit methods. The presented approach was tested in a case study of Croatia and the final results are representing the seasonal and spatial distribution of biogas potential at the spatial level of 1 km × 1 km. The results show that there is a strong need to include the influence of seasonality in assessment of biogas potential for lignocellulosic agricultural residues. The benefits are demonstrated in two examples that resulted in 12% and 40% lower storage facility capacity by using the proposed approach, compared to currently used approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]