Estimation of recycled bamboo availability and investigation of its potential utilization after value-addition through dual fuel cookstoves

Residual bamboo (RB) is abundantly available at the end life of kutcha houses which make up about 10.5 % of Indian households. RB is conventionally burnt or decomposed; however, it can be converted to biochar for valueaddition. In the present study, biochar was produced from household scale pyrolysis cookstove (PC) at 500-600 degrees C. Biochar yield was recorded as 27, 24 and 23 % at residence time 30, 40, and 60 min respectively. Biochar calorific value was about 47 % more than RB and carbon content in biochar was determined appropriate for energy generation. Characterization analyses such as SEM, BET, FTIR, and XRD were conducted to evaluate potential applications of biochar. Honeycomb-like pores with crystalline structure were observed at biochar surface which confirmed its suitability for soil amendment and adsorption media. Surface functional properties, and hydrophobic nature of biochar suggests its suitability for water filtration and energy storage devices. Technoeconomic study indicated that biochar production through this route is economically feasible and yearly PC biochar output capacity per household was 373 kg/year and 0.88-year payback period. Results of the present study could provide alternative prospects on the value addition of RB in bamboo-producing regions including South and South-East Asian countries.