| dc.description.abstract | Ecuador has a constantly growing agricultural sector, which leads to an increase of its residues
and complicates its management. Therefore, this work studied the production and
characterization of biochar from corn stalk, rice husk and shrimp shell wastes to determine its
potential applications in the solution of current problems. Four biochars were obtained under
different pyrolysis conditions: two from shrimp shell at 600oC and 350oC, one from corn stalk
at 600oC and one from rice husk at 350oC with production yields of 29.4%, 45.0%, 23.3% and
35.4%, respectively. Their characterization was carried out by analyzing pH, moisture, ash
content, surface area, morphology, surface functional groups and hydrophobicity for each type
of biochar. It was determined that the increase in pyrolysis temperature in the case of shrimp
shell produced an increase in pH, ash content, percentage of carbon, surface area, porosity,
C/N ratio and a reduction in the H/C, O/C ratios; while biochar from lignocellulosic biomass
maintained the aforementioned tendencies; notwithstanding, the increase in surface area was
highlighted. According to the results, it is suggest that the biochars obtained could have a
potential use in soil remediation to increase organic matter, increase alkalinity or carbon
sequestration; adsorption of heavy metals (Cd2+, Pb2+, As3+, Ni2+, Cu2+ and others) or emerging
organic micropollutants (polar or non polar). | |
