Evaluation of the physical characteristics of biochar obtained by the UCAB Engineering Research and Development Center

Evaluación de las características físicas del biocarbón obtenido por el Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de Ingeniería de la UCAB

Abstract

For the present study, within the framework of Appropriate Technologies, the process of obtaining biochar through the pyrolysis of bamboo stems was analyzed. The analysis was carried out by the Engineering Research and Development Center (CIDI) of the Andrés Bello Catholic University, which included tests of performance, water absorption and retention, and hydraulic conductivity of said biochar; all this in order to estimate its usefulness as a soil conditioner for agricultural purposes. It was necessary to carry out pyrolysis under controlled conditions in order to develop a method that, in principle, was applicable autonomously by the communities neighboring the institution, so that they could obtain an appropriate biochar, since the vision of the present study is to favor agricultural productivity in these communities to promote sustainable improvements in their living conditions. The results suggest that pyrolysis produced a moderate yield (30-40%), the biochar had low water retention and moderately high hydraulic conductivity, all without pyrolysis generating a significant emission of complex hydrocarbon gases that would generate losses. carbon and environmental pollution.