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Exploring the Potential of Straw Biochar for Environmentally Friendly Fertilizers

Author

Listed:
  • Rositsa Velichkova

    (Centre for Research and Design in Human Comfort, Energy and Environment (CERDECEN), Technical University of Sofia, 8 Kliment Ohridsky Blvd, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria)

  • Martin Pushkarov

    (Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering, College of Energy and Electronics (CEE), Technical University of Sofia, 8 Kliment Ohridsky Blvd, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria)

  • Radostina A. Angelova

    (Centre for Research and Design in Human Comfort, Energy and Environment (CERDECEN), Technical University of Sofia, 8 Kliment Ohridsky Blvd, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria)

  • Ognyan Sandov

    (Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering, College of Energy and Electronics (CEE), Technical University of Sofia, 8 Kliment Ohridsky Blvd, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria)

  • Detelin Markov

    (Centre for Research and Design in Human Comfort, Energy and Environment (CERDECEN), Technical University of Sofia, 8 Kliment Ohridsky Blvd, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria)

  • Iskra Simova

    (Centre for Research and Design in Human Comfort, Energy and Environment (CERDECEN), Technical University of Sofia, 8 Kliment Ohridsky Blvd, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria)

  • Peter Stankov

    (Centre for Research and Design in Human Comfort, Energy and Environment (CERDECEN), Technical University of Sofia, 8 Kliment Ohridsky Blvd, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria)

Abstract

The pyrolysis of wheat straw in order to produce biochar for soil amendment is a potential strategy for producing environmental friendly fertilizers capable of boosting soil fertility, increasing carbon storage, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. However, straw biochar’s potential to influence these aspects may vary depending on its properties. Our study sought to investigate biochar from wheat straw from three different regions in Bulgaria. A specially designed set up was used for the biochar production. Three pyrolytic temperatures (300, 400, and 500 °C) were applied, resulting in nine biochar samples. The specific characteristics included moisture content, volatile substances content, ash content, fixed carbon content, and joint ash and carbon content, and they were determined for each sample. The chemical content, resulting in 17 chemical elements and compounds, was measured and analysed. The results obtained showed that the produced straw biochar has the potential to be used as a fertilizer and soil supplement.

Suggested Citation

  • Rositsa Velichkova & Martin Pushkarov & Radostina A. Angelova & Ognyan Sandov & Detelin Markov & Iskra Simova & Peter Stankov, 2022. "Exploring the Potential of Straw Biochar for Environmentally Friendly Fertilizers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-21, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:10:p:6323-:d:821332
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Candice Ellison & Murat Sean McKeown & Samir Trabelsi & Dorin Boldor, 2017. "Dielectric Properties of Biomass/Biochar Mixtures at Microwave Frequencies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-11, April.
    4. Yang, Xuanmin & Kang, Kang & Qiu, Ling & Zhao, Lixin & Sun, Renhua, 2020. "Effects of carbonization conditions on the yield and fixed carbon content of biochar from pruned apple tree branches," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 1691-1699.
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