Potential of biochar as a filter media for
Potential of biochar as a filter media for stormwater applications Jihoon (James) Kang, Ph. D. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences Jihoon. kang@utrgv. edu
the Rule of Threes • • 3 min without air 3 hour without shelter 3 days without water 3 months without food
Advanced turbidity control BMPs
Terra Preta “black earth” or “black land” http: //www. ultrakulture. com/2015/10/25/terra-preta-amazonian-super-soil-ancient-ways-of-bio-designing-rainforests/
Map Showing Where Terra Preta is Currently known to be Found [Source: Clement et al 2015 “The domestication of Amazonia before European conquest”]
If this woody aboveground biomass were converted into biochar by means of simple kiln techniques and applied to soil, more than 50% of this C would be sequestered in a highly stable form http: //www. biochar. org/joomla/images/stories/charcoalkiln. jpg
Biochar • A solid material obtained from thermochemical conversion of biomass in an oxygen-limited environment. – It can be applied to soil for both agricultural and environmental gains
http: //www. soilquality. org. au/factsheets/how-much-carbon-can-soil-store
http: //www. coolplanet. com/biocharviticulture
Compost is produced when bacteria, yeast and fungi breakdown organic materials by aerobic decomposition. Biochar is produced when wood, manure, leaves and other organic materials are heated with little or no air. http: //www. compostforsoils. com. au/uploads/file/pdfs/other/biochar_or_compost_web. pdf
Pyrolysis is a thermochemical decomposition of organic material at elevated temperatures in the absence of oxygen. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=NVa. Al_UAQ 30 http: //www. climatetechwiki. org/sites/climatetechwiki. org/files/images/extra/biochar_production_process. gif
http: //fingerlakesbiochar. com/blog/page/3/
Biochar Materials Properties Physicochemical and morphological properties depend on feedstock and production condition.
C/N ratio is critical for soil amendment Pyrolysis temperature is critical to make surface morphology. Mukome, F. N. , & Parikh, S. J. (2015). chemical, Physical, and Surface characterization of Biochar: Production, Characterization, and Applications, 68. Chia, C. H. , Downie, A. , & Munroe, P. (2015). Characteristics of biochar: physical and structural properties. Biochar for environmental management: science and technology. Earthscan Books Ltd, London, 89 -109.
Webber, et al (2013). An NMR study of porous rock and biochar containing organic material. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 178, 94 -98. Tan et al (2015). Application of biochar for the removal of pollutants from aqueous solutions. Chemosphere, 125, 70 -85.
Aqueous Zn adsorption experiment Oak tree (SSA = 271 m 2 g-1) Pyrolysis temp = 400°C Wood (SSA = 476 m 2 g-1) Pyrolysis temp = 450°C
Langmuir model for Zn adsorption data Smax = 21, 400 mg kg-1 Smax = 6, 100 mg kg-1
Oak tree (Smax = 21, 400 mg kg-1) Molar O/C = 9. 72 Oak tree Molar O/C = 0. 06
Zn adsorption kinetics
GAC vs. Biochar Granular Activated Carbon Biochar Feedstock Primarily coal, some biomass Biomass Pyrolysis temperature 500 -800°C 350 -800°C Activation process Additional steam and/or chemical activation needed (600 -1200 °C) No activation needed Surface area Up to 1600 m 2 g-1 Up to 500 m 2 g-1 Cost $1, 500 -3, 000 per ton $500 per ton Biochar = Green alternative for lower cost applications http: //oregonbest. org/fileadmin/media/publication_files/BEST_FEST_Presentations_2014/Kleber_BESTFEST 14. Stormwater. pdf
Application of Biochars to Stormwater • Filtration media in new/existing treatment systems (e. g. , roof downspout, bioswale etc. )
Biochar-filled filter log Stormwater filter media Source: http: //earth-lite. com/rain/
Citrus peel Sargassum inundation in South Padre Island, Texas
“Water is the driver of Nature. ” “We might say that the earth has the spirit of growth; that its flesh is the soil. ” - Leonardo da Vinci Jihoon (James) Kang (jihoon. kang@utrgv. edu)
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