Article
Agricultural Engineering
Shengnan Zhu, Xuemei Yang, Zhiping Zhang, Huan Zhang, Yameng Li, Yang Zhang, Quanguo Zhang
Summary: The addition of biochar and nZVI together improved the stability and performance of the photo-fermentative biohydrogen production system, resulting in the best increment of biohydrogen at the original pH of 4.5. Adding nZVI at initial pH of 5, 6, and 7 also significantly increased biohydrogen yield.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Jin-Rong Huang, Xiong Chen, Bin-Bin Hu, Jing-Rong Cheng, Ming-Jun Zhu
Summary: This study successfully enhanced hydrogen production from sugarcane bagasse by bioaugmentation with MJ2 and addition of biochar. The mechanism of enhancement was further investigated.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wensheng Fang, Qiuxia Wang, Yuan Li, Juling Hua, Xi Jin, Dongdong Yan, Aocheng Cao
Summary: This study found that biochar can reduce N2O emissions by promoting denitrifying microbial activities. After fumigation, biochar led to a decrease in N2O emissions due to insufficient nitrogen support.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jingyang Bai, Chuan Qin, Yanfei Xu, Di Xu, Mingyue Ding
Summary: In this study, a nitrogen-doped biochar-based iron catalyst was synthesized, which exhibited excellent gasoline yield exceeding most reported catalysts. The study also found a strong positive relationship between the amount of pyrrolic N and long-chain hydrocarbon selectivity.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ahmed I. Osman, Zhi Ying Lai, Mohamed Farghali, Chung Loong Yiin, Ahmed M. Elgarahy, Ahmed Hammad, Ikko Ihara, Ahmed Sadeq Al-Fatesh, David W. Rooney, Pow-Seng Yap
Summary: The current energy crisis and climate change have made it crucial to find economically sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative sources of energy. This review examines different methods of converting biomass into bioenergy and biochar, with a focus on producing electricity, biodiesel, and biohydrogen. Biochemical conversion methods are widely used, accounting for 80% of global biofuel production, particularly ethanol and biodiesel. Thermochemical conversion methods are less common, producing bio-oil and syngas. These biofuels have the potential to replace up to 27% of global transportation fuel by 2050, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by billions of metric tons annually. Additionally, biochar from biomass has various applications, including high biodiesel yield and serving as a catalyst in microbial fuel cells and methane decomposition.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Gunavathy Selvarajh, Huck Ywih Ch'ng
Summary: The addition of rice straw biochar at 5-10 t/ha significantly increased the availability of nitrogen in the soil, as well as the exchangeable NH4+, NO3-, phosphorus, and potassium content. This led to improved nutrient uptake by rice plants, resulting in increased plant growth and productivity.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ranjna Sirohi, V. Vivekanand, Ashutosh Kumar Pandey, Ayon Tarafdar, Mukesh Kumar Awasthi, Amita Shakya, Sang Hyoun Kim, Sang Jun Sim, Hoang A. Tuan, Ashok Pandey
Summary: The transition from fossil fuels to non-conventional sources is necessary for addressing the global energy crisis and environmental issues. Organic waste from various industries can be utilized to produce gaseous fuels through different biochemical strategies. However, current biogas and biohydrogen production practices are inefficient and require interventions to improve biofuel yield. Adding biochar has been shown to enhance gaseous fuel production by adsorbing inhibitors and activating gas-producing microorganisms. This review explores the effect of biochar on gaseous biofuel production and highlights the need for a circular bioeconomy approach.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sokkeang Be, Soydoa Vinitnantharat, Anawat Pinisakul
Summary: The study demonstrates that mangrove biochar residue can enhance nitrogen adsorption and retention in sediment, benefiting plant growth and reducing nitrogen pollution. Proper addition of biochar can improve nitrogen adsorption efficiency, reduce nitrogen leaching, and increase the abundance of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria in sediment.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Zi-Han Wang, Lan-Qing Li, Lei Zhao, Chuan Chen, Shan-Shan Yang, Nan-Qi Ren
Summary: The study suggests that biochar dosing demonstrates better environmental performance across all impact categories, particularly in the consolidated bioprocessing case. Electricity consumption is identified as the primary cause of environmental impact over the life cycle, with by-products generation also influencing life-cycle impacts. Future research will focus on scaling up biohydrogen production, transitioning towards renewable and cleaner energy systems for electricity generation, and maximizing by-product recovery to enhance the environmental sustainability of lignocellulosic biohydrogen production.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yuanchun Peng, Shuyang Deng, Zheng Kong, Yunsong Yuan, Hao Long, Junhua Fang, Haiyuan Ma, Zhiyu Shao, Qiang He, Hongxiang Chai
Summary: A biochar-woodchip modified bioretention system was developed to improve the performance of stormwater runoff treatment. This modified system greatly enhanced the nitrogen removal compared to the conventional sand bioretention system, and extended the reactive volume in the bioreactor. The addition of biochar in the upper layer increased ammonium adsorption, nitrification, and denitrification, while woodchip addition improved the denitrification rate in the internal water storage zone (IWSZ).
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Karolina Villagra-Mendoza, Federico Masis-Melendez, Jaime Quesada-Kimsey, Carlos A. Garcia-Gonzalez, Rainer Horn
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of bamboo biochar on soil properties and tomato productivity in Costa Rica. The results showed that biochar increased water retention capacity in the soil and significantly improved tomato yield, especially in the sandy loam soil. The study suggests that biochar can be a beneficial amendment for enhancing crop production in water-stressed environments.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Quanguo Zhang, Hong Liu, Xuenan Shui, Yameng Li, Zhiping Zhang
Summary: Photosynthetic biohydrogen has the advantages of extensive raw material sources and cleanliness, but its low substrate utilization rate hinders its commercial application. The use of additives during the process of biohydrogen by photofermentation has been reported to be beneficial in increasing biohydrogen production, although the specific mechanisms are not yet understood. This paper reviews the promoting effect of certain additives on biohydrogen production by photofermentation and discusses the existing problems and development trends of various additives. It is necessary to select appropriate additives based on the hydrogen-producing characteristics, and the use of composite additives may further enhance biohydrogen production, although more research is needed.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wen-Da Oh, Julia Raudlatul Jannah Zaeni, Grzegorz Lisak, Kun-Yi Andrew Lin, Kah-Hon Leong, Zheng-Yi Choong
Summary: Engineered biochar doped with nitrogen and sulfur was prepared and used as an activator for degrading organic pollutants. NSB-UT showed higher pollutant removal rate, and the removal rate can be enhanced by increasing catalyst loading or PMS dosage. The pH value has a significant impact on pollutant removal rate, and the catalytic activity of NSB-UT can be restored by thermal treatment.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xuefei Tan, Huiwen Wang, Xiaoyan Guo, Shih-Hsin Ho
Summary: This article summarizes the physicochemical properties of endogenous and exogenous biochar and reviews the application of nitrogen-doped biochar in the degradation of pollutants in wastewater. By analyzing the interaction mechanisms such as adsorption, surface redox, and catalytic reaction, the current technical bottlenecks in the field of sewage treatment are pointed out and future research directions are proposed.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Xue Ning, Chen Deng, Xihui Kang, Richard O'Shea, David M. Wall, Richen Lin, Jerry D. Murphy
Summary: This research investigates the optimization of biomethane yield from grass silage and cattle slurry through biochar-supplemented two-stage anaerobic digestion. The results demonstrate that the addition of biochar can increase methane production and improve the electrochemical properties of the digester contents.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)