| Summary: | Biochar is a carbon-rich solid product derived from slow pyrolysis of organic matter. The high energy content biochar is storable and easily transported for used as fuels. This study investigated the effect of process parameters on the yield of energy densified biochar from slow pyrolysis of a perennial reed canary grass. The grass was pyrolysed in a batch reactor at temperatures between 300-700 °C and 1 atm, with heating rate varied at 5, 10 and 20 °C/min. A steady nitrogen flow of 2.0ml/min was continuously purged into the reactor throughout the pyrolysis process. The biochar product was characterized by proximate and ultimate analysis followed by the determination of its heating value. The onset of the reed canary grass transformation into biochar was observed at temperature of 350 °C. The yield of the biochar decreased as the final pyrolysis temperature was raised while the yield of bio-oils and gases improved with pyrolysis temperature. The optimum reed canary grass pyrolysis was found to occur between 400-500 °C. The biochar produced composed mainly of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen elements. The heating value of the carbon rich biochar was determined at 27-28 MJ/kg comparable to those of low rank coal. The energy densified biochar produced from reed canary grass has the potential to be utilized as a substitute to conventional fuel. © 2006-2015 Asian Research Publishing Network (ARPN).
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