Thermochemical Conversion of Sponge Gourd (Luffa cylindrica) for Biochar Production by Retort Carbonization

Luffa cylindrica is widely distributed in the tropics and subtropics as a cultivated and naturalized plant. Its noncompetitive use as just a local wash sponge in West Africa makes it readily available for biochar production. Biochar is an important product relevant to a variety of energy and environmental applications. This study evaluates the properties of L. cylindrica biomass and the biochar obtained from its retort carbonization. The biochar was produced using a top-lift updraft reactor at a peak temperature of 269??C and a yield of 66.67 %. The biomass and biochar samples were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersion spectroscopy, and Brunauer???Emmett???Teller (BET) analyses. FTIR analyses revealed the presence of hydroxyl, methyl, carbonyl, and aromatic carbon groups in the biomass, which were broken down during the retort carbonization. The SEM analysis shows the biochar as a porous material, which was confirmed by the BET analysis.