The production of biochar by pyrolysis from Jatropha Curcas L. husk: Optimization via response surface methodology

In this study, the production of biochar by pyrolysis from Jatropha curcas husk was investigated. Response surface methodology (RSM) based on the central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was applied to optimize the combined effect of three important parameters, i.e., temperature, heating rate and gas flow rate. The reaction was performed in temperaturesranging from 400 to 600 °C, heating rate from 30-60 °C/min and gas flow rate of 100 to 200 mL/min. A total of 20 individual experiments were conducted and the result showed that the RSM based on CCRD was very applicable to the biochar production yields studied in this system. The predicted optimum condition for biochar yield was 400 °C final temperature, a heating rate of 60 °C/min and a gas flow rate of 100 mL/min, resulting in biochar yield and high calorific value 37.6% and 21.2 MJ/kg, respectively. The biochar obtained are carbon-rich, with a high heating value and relatively pollution-free solid biofuel