A study on the thermochemical co-conversion of poultry litter and elephant grass to biochar

Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and poultry litter are waste materials readily available all year round in West Africa that can be harnessed for the production of biochar via simultaneous thermochemical processing. In this study, the quality of biochar produced via the low-temperature thermochemical conversion of poultry litter and elephant grass at averaged temperature of 300 °C was evaluated in a retort heated, non-electrically powered, top-lit updraft reactor. The product was characterised using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analyses. From the FTIR, it was observed that the co-conversion of poultry litter with elephant grass do not significantly increase the functional groups present in the biochar in comparison with those from the single feedstock. The specific surface areas of the biochar from poultry litter, elephant grass and combined feedstock were 307.0, 475.1 and 398.6 m²/g, respectively. The char obtained are mesoporous and possess large pore size which reinforces its potential for multiple environmental and agricultural applications. The findings of the study are advantageous in efforts for solid waste management and environmental pollution control.