Characteristics Evaluation of Torrefaction Effects on Spent Coffee Ground Derived Biochar

Abstract

A number of technological factors, primarily the kind of feedstock and temperature of thermal treatment can influence the characteristics of biochar by differentiating products having a broad variety of pH, specific surface area, pore volume, volatile matter, ash, and carbon content etc. This study investigated comparative analysis of spend coffee ground biomass of three different cities Jaipur, Kolkata and New Delhi (originally produced Ratnagiri Estate, Orissa and Karnataka respectively). TGA-DTG analysis of all SCGs biomass were performed to find their thermal decomposition range. Biochar was produced from SCGs at torrefaction range between 250°C to 350°C. SCGs derived biochar produced from all three biomass, were then characterized by different analytical methods, Brunauer-Emmet-Teller, Fourier transform infrared for investigation of total surface area, porosity and functional groups attached on the biochar surface respectively. Surface morphology of the biochar with highest surface area was further characterized using Scanning electron microscopy. The results of this study revealed that the biochar produced after torrefaction at 300º C derived from Kolkata state’s biomass, offered a maximum surface area of 20.686 m²/g with biochar yield of 63% and maximum functional groups presence on its surface which makes its suitable for bioremediation.