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TC-Biomass 2011 Special Issue
Mineral nutrient recovery from pyrolysis systems†
Article first published online: 27 MAR 2012
DOI: 10.1002/ep.11631
Copyright © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
Issue
Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy
Special Issue: tcbiomass2011, The International Conference on Thermochemical Conversion Science
Volume 31, Issue 2, pages 251–255, July 2012
Additional Information
How to Cite
Wise, J., Vietor, D., Provin, T., Capareda, S., Munster, C. and Boateng, A. (2012), Mineral nutrient recovery from pyrolysis systems. Environ. Prog. Sustainable Energy, 31: 251–255. doi: 10.1002/ep.11631
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Publication History
- Issue published online: 14 APR 2012
- Article first published online: 27 MAR 2012
- Manuscript Accepted: 12 FEB 2012
- Manuscript Revised: 1 FEB 2012
- Manuscript Received: 31 JUL 2011
Funded by
- United States Department of Agriculture National Needs Fellowship in Bioenergy
- Department of Energy North Central SunGrant Program
- Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Minority PhD program
- Hispanic Leaders in Agriculture and the Environment (HLAE) program at Texas A&M University
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Abstract
Bioenergy plants such as sorghum, bioenergy rice, corn stover, and switchgrass can be thermochemically converted by pyrolysis to produce bio-oil, synthesis gas from noncondensable gases, and biochar. The biochar fraction can be recycled back to the production field to improve soil physical qualities and nutrient status. Although previous publications have described the beneficial effects of pyrolysis biochar on soil physical properties; relatively little has been published on the recovery of mineral nutrients from pyrolysis co-products. This work quantified the recovery of nutrients (P, K, Ca, and Mg) from pyrolysis coproducts from various feedstocks using two distinct reactors. Nutrient mass balances, on a feedstock basis, were calculated for comparison of the two reactors' efficiency in the recovery of the nutrients. The results revealed the recovery of nutrients varied by (1) species, (2) reactor design, and (3) correlated highly with nutrient mass loss in biochar. Computations also revealed P recoveries of 93% (fixed-bed reactor) and 58% and 55% (fluidized-bed reactor) for pyrolyzed sorghum. The recovery of key mineral nutrients in pyrolysis coproducts (primarily biochar) is directly related to the feasibility of nutrient recycling through biochar. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2012