Production of biochar from fruit waste shells

AI Quick Summary

Wastewater treatment plants and drinking water treatment plants have a large need for activated carbon, which is mainly imported into Switzerland. However, fruit shells, which are considered waste, can be used to produce biochar by pyrolysis. This biochar, activated by physical or chemical processes (activated carbon) can offer an economic and environmental benefit for Switzerland. IntroductionActivated carbon, due to its porous structure consisting of micro alveoli, has a large specific surface area giving it a high adsorption capacity allowing to fix and retain certain molecules brought into contact with it for water purification and wastewater treatment.Activated carbon is mainly imported into Switzerland; however, raw materials are available in the country, i.e. almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, olives, pine nuts, apricots. The company Swiss-biochar markets products based on vegetable charcoal that it does not produce itself. For 460 kg 1.2 m³ bag of biochar containing between 75 and 85% carbon, the price is CHF 455.For example, the Valais produces 8200 tons of apricots per year, and 2500 tons of walnuts. The "Filière noix de la Broye et du pied du Jura" has recently planted 11,000 walnut trees on 80 hectares: from 16 tons of walnuts harvested in 2020, it is planned to increase to 70 tons in 2023 and 250 tons in 2035.The shells of these raw materials (as well as the seeds and kernels), generally considered waste, can be valorised in a circular economy and calcinated by pyrolysis to provide a part of the imported products to satisfy the local Swiss market.In addition, during the calcination process, the ash produced during pyrolysis is rich essential trace elements therefore can be useful as agricultural fertilizer.Motivation The growing need for biochar production calls for the valorization of biological waste and allows for the development of a process that can be proven ecologically and economically beneficial. During calcination, the energy produced (between 400 and 700°C) can be used to:· desalinate seawater by distillation,· produce salt rich in useful minerals· release ash useful in the amendment of agricultural soils Furthermore, the produced biochar has multiple advantages for agriculture and the environment:· stimulation of soil life,· soil structuring agent, · increase of soil carbon content and retention capacity· considerable nitrates storage capacity· keeping other nutrients available for crops.Objectives1. To reduce agricultural waste into value-added raw materials2. To produce a market share of activated biochar in Switzerland for wastewater treatment and water purification.

Project Idea Metadata

• Project Idea Name: Production of biochar from fruit waste shells
• Date: 3/7/2023 2:12:24 PM
• Administrators:
  • Dodji Tété EKLU-NATEY

Project Idea Description

Introduction

Activated carbon, due to its porous structure consisting of micro alveoli, has a large specific surface area giving it a high adsorption capacity allowing to fix and retain certain molecules brought into contact with it for water purification and wastewater treatment.

Activated carbon is mainly imported into Switzerland; however, raw materials are available in the country, i.e. almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, olives, pine nuts, apricots. The company Swiss-biochar markets products based on vegetable charcoal that it does not produce itself. For 460 kg 1.2 m³ bag of biochar containing between 75 and 85% carbon, the price is CHF 455.

For example, the Valais produces 8200 tons of apricots per year, and 2500 tons of walnuts. The "Filière noix de la Broye et du pied du Jura" has recently planted 11,000 walnut trees on 80 hectares: from 16 tons of walnuts harvested in 2020, it is planned to increase to 70 tons in 2023 and 250 tons in 2035.The shells of these raw materials (as well as the seeds and kernels), generally considered waste, can be valorised in a circular economy and calcinated by pyrolysis to provide a part of the imported products to satisfy the local Swiss market.

In addition, during the calcination process, the ash produced during pyrolysis is rich essential trace elements therefore can be useful as agricultural fertilizer.

Motivation

The growing need for biochar production calls for the valorization of biological waste and allows for the development of a process that can be proven ecologically and economically beneficial. During calcination, the energy produced (between 400 and 700°C) can be used to:

· desalinate seawater by distillation,

· produce salt rich in useful minerals

· release ash useful in the amendment of agricultural soils

Furthermore, the produced biochar has multiple advantages for agriculture and the environment:

· stimulation of soil life,

· soil structuring agent,

· increase of soil carbon content and retention capacity

· considerable nitrates storage capacity

· keeping other nutrients available for crops.

Objectives

1. To reduce agricultural waste into value-added raw materials

2. To produce a market share of activated biochar in Switzerland for wastewater treatment and water purification.

Wastewater treatment plants and drinking water treatment plants have a large need for activated carbon, which is mainly imported into Switzerland. However, fruit shells, which are considered waste, can be used to produce biochar by pyrolysis. This biochar, activated by physical or chemical processes (activated carbon) can offer an economic and environmental benefit for Switzerland.