Characterization of biochar derived from demineralized poultry litter in terms of its candidacy towards alternative solid fuel

An increase in global energy demand results in coal dependance which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Poultry litter is a potential substitute, but its poor physicochemical and combustion properties reduce its combustion efficiency; hence, demineralization and pyrolysis to biochar value-adds. The study analyzed the characterization of biochar derived from demineralized PL and selected the best-suited combustion technology. The PL was mechanically fractioned (4 mm) and leached in deionized water and pyrolyzed (300 ℃; 15 min). The biochar physicochemical properties improved the higher heating value (22.31 MJ kg-1) and reduced the Ash Content (18.63 %) compared with undemineralized biochar. Increase in TGA/DTG heating rate shifted the reaction region to high temperature (58.57–548.93 ℃) reducing the ease of ignition and combustion. The biochar has high fouling and slag tendency, and the fluidized bed combustion chamber was the preferred chamber technology. Mass of air at 7.83 kg kg-1 fuel is required to combust the biochar and produce 3.26 kg kg-1 fuel of flue gas. Flue gas produced with 25 % excess air produced a higher enthalpy than stoichiometric conditions, attaining a thermal efficiency of 86.20 %. Demineralized PL biochar exhibits excellent physicochemical and combustion properties making it an ideal fuel candidacy.