Pyrolysis
Project challenges
The efficient use of residual forest biomass in pyrolysis processes requires the development of innovative solutions to optimize the process in energy and environmental terms.
The efficient use of residual forest biomass in pyrolysis processes requires the development of innovative solutions to optimize the process in energy and environmental terms.
The most relevant aspects are the energy sustainability of the process and the minimization of environmental impacts associated with the emission of gaseous pollutants. The quality of carbonized material depends on the biomass, type of technology and operating conditions, and these aspects need to be adequately characterized.
The BioValChar project seeks to respond to the challenges related to the valorization of low quality RFB through the production of biochar by pyrolysis, which can be later applied in forest and rural soils to increase the nutrient stock and agro-forestry productivity, thus reducing the need for fertilizers, with associated economic benefits. This approach will make it possible to recycle carbon/nutrients and establish synergies between forest management, fire prevention, soil quality improvement and rural development, under the circular economy principle.
The following aspects will be addressed:
- RFB characterization of forest clearing operations for fire prevention, and of agro-industry residues, both unsuitable for combustion and gasification;
- characterization of the pyrolysis process of this biomass;
- development and optimization of an integrated mobile prototype for biochar production by biomass pyrolysis in continuous operation mode;
- evaluation of the properties of the biochar produced as a soil additive;
- evaluation of the impact and economics of this approach in the management and valorization of BFR in rural areas.
Innovative scientific knowledge will be produced to support the development of a technological sector for the decentralized production of biochar in rural areas, enabling a local economy based on the management and recovery of residual biomass, and fire prevention, and which faces enormous challenges to be energy efficient and compatible with environmental protection standards.