Discovering the Macro-Elements Presence in Biochar Produced Indigenously

Abstract

Biochar boosts soil fertility and helps plants to withstand drought. Its production locally has been a challenge and that is why an  Indigenous Biochar Production Kiln (IBPK) was conceived, designed and fabricated at the Workshop of the Agricultural Technology Department, Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, Nigeria. IBK convert biomass to carbon-rich organic material through thermal energy. The IBPK has two drums, the Internal Retort Drum (IRD) and External drum of diameters and heights of 350 mm x 600 mm and 500 mm x 800 mm respectively. The total weight of the IBPK was 82.50 kg. The IRD of 116 kg/m3 volume was loaded with 55 kg biomass from wood waste, covered, and placed inside the external drum. The space between the outer wall of the IRD and the inner wall of the outer drum was 75 mm enough to contain firewood lighted and covered to produce the heat needed for the wood waste inside the IRD to convert it to Biochar. Smoke from the IBK escaped through the chimney attached to the external drum’s lid. The operating time for the carbonization was 182 minutes and the conversion efficiency of the IBPK was 71 %. The average temperature of the IBPK during the conversion was 269 °C. The test carried out on the produced Biochar showed the presence of macro elements that included Nitrogen (2.95%), Phosphorus (21.79%), Potassium (4.95%) and Carbon (70.31%). The fabrication cost was Fifty-Two Thousand, Two Hundred Naira  only (₦52,200:00). The IBPK is recommended for farmers to produce Biochar as needed for improved farm yield, and young graduates  who want to go into Biochar production as a way out of unemployment.