Luffa cylindrica Slow Pyrolysis and Solar Pyrolysis: Impact of Temperature and Heating Rate on Biochar Properties and Iodine Adsorption Performance

Recently, Luffa cylindrica has been drawing lots of attention in adsorption applications. However, the contaminated biomass needs to be properly disposed. Pyrolysis is a process capable of turning this type of residue into valuable product. Luffa cylindrica pyrolysis produces biochar which has been used as adsorbent for various cationic and organic species. Additionally, the use of solar power to heat the reactor reduces the environmental impact of pyrolysis. In this work, a lab-scale solar pyrolizer was built in a 40-dollar budget. This biomass was previously subjected to slow pyrolysis in an electrical reactor at various temperatures (300, 400, and 500 degrees C) and heating rates (2, 10, and 20 degrees C min(-1)) to assess the influence of these parameters on biochar properties. Further, the Luffa sponge sample was subjected to solar pyrolysis. The characterization methods of TG/DTG, FTIR, SEM, and HHV analysis were employed to assess biochar properties. Biochar adsorption performance was assessed by iodine adsorption experiments. Highest HHV (29.3 MJ kg(-1)) was obtained for the biochar from the 500 degrees C, 2 degrees C min(-1) pyrolysis. Maximum iodine adsorption (162.9 mg g(-1)) was observed on the biochar produced at 400 degrees C, 2 degrees C min(-1). Solar biochar had a 24.3 MJ kg(-1) HHV and a Iodine adsorption of 115.2 mg g(-1). [GRAPHICS]