Life-cycle assessment of pyrolysis processes for sustainable production of biochar from agro-residues

• Published in: Bioresource technology Vol. 360; p. 127601
• Main Authors: Zhu, Xiefei, Labianca, Claudia, He, Mingjing, Luo, Zejun, Wu, Chunfei, You, Siming, Tsang, Daniel C.W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2022
• Subjects: Activated carbon; biochar; Carbon neutrality; carbon sequestration; Circular economy; Engineered biochar; life cycle assessment; pyrolysis; Renewable energy; renewable energy sources; soil amendments; Sustainable waste management; technology; Circular economy; Engineered biochar; Renewable energy; Carbon neutrality; Activated carbon; Sustainable waste management
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127601

[Display omitted] •Agro-residues are candidate feedstocks for sustainable production of biochar.•Pyrolysis is a promising technology for net carbon management of agro-residues.•LCA unification facilitates the sustainability assessment of biochar production.•Biochar has carbon reduction potential in energy and soil applications.•Biochar technologies with regional characteristics have great development prospects. Net carbon management of agro-residues has been an important pathway for reducing the environmental burdens of agricultural production. Converting agro-residues into biochar through pyrolysis is a prominent management strategy for achieving carbon neutrality in a circular economy, meeting both environmental and social concerns. Based on the latest studies, this study critically analyzes the life cycle assessment (LCA) of biochar production from different agro-residues and compares typical technologies for biochar production. Although a direct comparison of results is not always feasible due to different functional units and system boundaries, the net carbon sequestration potential of biochar technology is remarkably promising. By pyrolyzing agro-residues, biochar can be effectively produced and customized as: (i) alternative energy source, (ii) soil amendment, and (iii) activated carbon substitution. The combination of life cycle assessment and circular economy modelling is encouraged to achieve greener and sustainable biochar production.