Characterization of Biochar from Green Coconut Shell and Orange Peel Wastes

Resumo

Organic wastes from the processing of green coconut and orange are widely generated in Brazil. These agroindustrial residues have the potential for reuse, however mostly they are destined for landfills. In this study, biochars from green coconut shell (CSB) and orange peel (OPB) were produced by pyrolysis of the biomass at temperature of 350 ºC for one hour. The biochars were characterized for pH, electrical conductivity, bulk density, particle size distribution, proximate analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses for identification of pore size. The CSB and OPB presented high values of fixed carbon (59% for OPB and 34% for CSB), volatile matter (30% for OPB and 29% for CSB) and pH (8.78 for OPB and 8.41 for CSB). The SEM images showed complex network of heterogeneous pores for OPB, and cylindrical crevices interconnected by some large tubes for CSB. The results indicates that OPB and CSB can be used as a soil amendment and as low cost adsorbents in adsorption processes.