4D structural changes and pore network model of biomass during pyrolysis

Edeh, Ifeoma Gloria; Masek, Ondrej; Fusseis, Florian

doi:10.1038/s41598-023-49919-z

Title: 4D structural changes and pore network model of biomass during pyrolysis

Journal Article · 20 December 2023 · Scientific Reports

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-49919-z · OSTI ID:2470155

Edeh, Ifeoma Gloria ^[1]; Masek, Ondrej ^[1]; Fusseis, Florian ^[2]

Univ. of Edinburgh, Scotland (United Kingdom)
Univ. of Edinburgh, Scotland (United Kingdom); RWTH Aachen Univ. (Germany)

Biochar is an engineered carbon-rich substance used for soil improvement, environmental management, and other diverse applications. To date, the understanding of how biomass affects biochar microstructure has been limited due to the complexity of analysis involved in tracing the changes in the physical structure of biomass as it undergoes thermochemical conversion. In this study, we used synchrotron x-ray micro-tomography to visualize changes in the internal structure of biochar from diverse feedstock (miscanthus straw pellets, wheat straw pellets, oilseed rape straw pellets, and rice husk) during pyrolysis by collecting a sequence of 3D scans at 50 °C intervals during progressive heating from 50 °C to 800 °C. The results show a strong dependence of biochar porosity on feedstock as well as pyrolysis temperature, with observed porosity in the range of 7.41–60.56%. Our results show that the porosity, total surface area, pore volume, and equivalent diameter of the largest pore increases with increasing pyrolysis temperature up to about 550 °C. The most dramatic development of pore structure occurred in the temperature range of 350–450 °C. This understanding is pivotal for optimizing biochar’s properties for specific applications in soil improvement, environmental management, and beyond. By elucidating the nuanced variations in biochar’s physical characteristics across different production temperatures and feedstocks, this research advances the practical application of biochar, offering significant benefits in agricultural, environmental, and engineering contexts.

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Research Organization:: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Advanced Photon Source (APS)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities (SUF)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-06CH11357

OSTI ID:: 2470155

Journal Information:: Scientific Reports, Journal Name: Scientific Reports Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 13; ISSN 2045-2322

Publisher:: Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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