The use of biochar towards a circular economy- optimisation of chemically activated biochar for aqueous phosphate recovery: POSTER
McFadden, M.1, Zhang, X.1, Fletcher, A.1, Davidson, C.1 and Kerr, S.2, 1The University of Strathclyde, UK, 2Sustainable Thinking Scotland CIC, UK
(free)
Biochar, the solid residue from biomass pyrolysis, is a promising product with potential applications as a sorbent for eutrophic water remediation. Eutrophic water pollution, characteristically responsible for algal blooms and low dissolved oxygen levels, is due to a detrimental surplus of plant nutrients in water, e.g., inorganic nitrogen and phosphorous [1]. It has been demonstrated that activated biochar is a more effective sorbent for aqueous phosphate removal than non-activated biochar. The resulting spent biochar, charged with plant nutrients, possess potential as a chemical fertiliser substitute- working towards a circular economy. However, the influence of various activation parameters are yet to be investigated. This work investigates the key activation factors influencing biochar characteristics and phosphate removal, with particular focus on pre vs post pyrolysis activation, particle size control, chemical loading ratio (CLR), and pyrolysis temperature. The overall aim of this work is to create activated biochar suitable for aqueous phosphate adsorption.
