LAUSR

Process parameters play a crucial role in governing the physical and chemical properties of biochar. An optimization tool, response surface methodology (central composite design) was employed to identify the linear and interaction effects of process parameters (temperature, heating rate and time) on selected responses, namely biochar yield, higher heating value, energy density and energy yield of biochar. The optimized values for temperature, heating rate and time were found to be 432 °C, 4 °C/min and 40 min respectively. At these optimized conditions, the biochar yield, higher heating value, energy density and energy yield of biochar were found to be 54.65%, 25.08 MJ/kg, 1.46 and 79.66% respectively. The fuel ratio of optimized biochar was found to be 2.10 which is near to that of bituminous coal having fuel ratio in range of 1.5 to 2.0. This study performs an in-depth qualitative and quantitative analysis of the synthesized biochar so as to ensure higher yield and improved quality of solid fuel for possible practical utility. The thermal conversion of biomass can therefore be a potential route to provide an economically viable, clean and environment friendly source of good quality solid fuel through utilization of biomass or biomass-derived waste.