Self-activation of biochar from furfural residues by recycled pyrolysis gas

Biochar samples with controllable specific surface area and mesopore ratio were self-activated from furfural residues by recycled pyrolysis gas. The objective of this study was to develop a new cyclic utilization method for the gas produced by pyrolysis. The influences of preparation parameters on the resulting biochar were studied by varying the pyrolysis-gas flow rate, activation time and temperature. Structural characterization of the produced biochar was performed by analysis of nitrogen adsorption isotherms at 77 K and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The pyrolysis gas compositions before and after activation were determined by a gas chromatograph. The results indicated that the surface area of the biochar was increased from 167 m2/g to 567 m2/g, the total pore volume increased from 0.121 cm3/g to 0.380 cm3/g, and the ratio of the mesopore pore volume to the total pore volume increased 17–39.7%. The CO volume fraction of the pyrolysis gas changed from 34.66 to 62.29% and the CO2 volume fraction decreased from 48.26% to 12.17% under different conditions of pyrolysis–gas flow rate, activation time and temperature. The calorific values of pyrolysis gas changed from 8.82 J/cm3 to 14.00 J/cm3, which were higher than those of conventional pyrolysis gases. The slower pyrolysis–gas flow rate and higher activation time increased the efficiency of the reaction between carbon and pyrolysis gas. These results demonstrated the feasibility of treatment of the furfural residues to produce microporous and mesoporous biochar. The pyrolysis gas that results from the activation process could be used as fuel. Overall, this new self-activation method meets the development requirements of cyclic economy and cleaner production.