Paper details

Title:

Energy Crops and Biochar: A Win-Win Strategy for Energy Production and Soil Improvement

Author(s):

Martani, E., Ferrarini, A., Amaducci, S., Fornasier, F., Assirelli, A.

Document(s):

Abstract:

Energy production from biomass is much more cleaner when carried out by pyrolysis than by combustion, because syngas combustion reduces dramatically nitrous oxides emissions. In addition, the byproduct of pyrolysis is biochar, an excellent soil improver with a very long mean residence time, which makes this kind of energy production carbon negative and which can be used as a strong soil improver. This is important as currently there is a great concern about soil degradation on a global basis and energy crops makes sense when cultivated on poor soils. Energy crops are cultivated mainly for renewable energy production, however the enormous amount of below ground biomass left by energy crop ameliorates dramatically the soil hosting the crop. We explored the option of using the aerial biomass of six energy crops for energy production by pyrolysis to produce energy and producing an amount of biochar containing half of the initial C in aerial biomass. We showed that biochar coming from above-ground biomass can be used for strongly improving further 2.5-4 ha in addition to the one hosting the energy crop itself.

Keywords:

agricultural residues, biomass, CO₂ capture, energy crops, wood, biochar

Topic:

Sustainable Resources for Decarbonising the Economy

Subtopic:

Innovative biomass production for energy integrated into traditional agri-forestry systems

Event:

30th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Session:

1AV.4.13

Pages:

147 - 150

ISBN:

978-88-89407-22-6

Paper DOI:

10.5071/30thEUBCE2022-1AV.4.13

Price:

FREE