DETERMINATION OF SUITABLE BIOCHAR PRECURSOR AS ALTERNATIVE FOR ENABLING ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER SUPPLY IN RURAL AREAS

Jungan, Karvin and Leonard Lik Pueh, Lim and Ivy Tan, Ai Wei (2022) DETERMINATION OF SUITABLE BIOCHAR PRECURSOR AS ALTERNATIVE FOR ENABLING ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER SUPPLY IN RURAL AREAS. Journal of Sustainability Science and Management, 17 (5). pp. 66-78. ISSN 2672-7226

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Abstract

This study aims to determine suitable biochar precursor for local production of biochar as an alternative low-cost solution to address the persistent water supply issue in rural areas in Sarawak. A series of physicochemical characterization and adsorption studies were conducted for biochar pyrolysed from bamboo, dried leaves, wood shavings, rice husk, tree branch and wood chip, in a stainless-steel canister (without oxygen) at 600o C for three hours using a muffle furnace. Bamboo was the only precursor which fulfilled the requirements for water treatment in rural areas, i.e., biochar yield, structural integrity in water and adsorption characteristics. The pyrolysis of bamboo achieved a biochar yield of 32.8%, which attributed to the high fixed carbon content of 70.9% required for adsorption. The biochar consisted of homogeneous carbon structures with BET surface area of 317 m2 /g, total pore volume of 0.189 cm3 /g and micropores averaging 1.218 nm, which demonstrated favourable adsorption characteristics. The selection of bamboo as precursor is practical in rural areas as it is easily obtained and safe to be pyrolyzed into biochar. The application of biochar for water treatment helps to overcome the water supply issues and promote sustainable biomass waste management in rural areas.

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