3. Characterization

Biomass energy is widely used in the third world principally in rural regions where it is frequently the main energy source for domestic purpose [5]. Most developing countries are still depending largely on availability of natural resources including coal, mineral mining etc. There are many alternative renewable energy sources which can be used in place of fossil and conventional fuels. Renewable energy resources are also often called alternative sources of energy. Renewable energy resources that use domestic resources have the potential to provide energy services with zero or almost zero emissions of both air pollutants and green-

Biomass can be converted into liquid, solid and gaseous fuels with the help of some physical, chemical and biological conversion processes [7, 8]. The conversion of biomass materials has a precise objective to transform a carbonaceous solid material [9]. The uses of agricultural byproducts (like, coconut coir, rice husk, sugarcane bagasse, ground nut shell etc) are as fuel for cooking, cattle-feed and raw materials for paper and pulp industries. However, a large amount

Pyrolysis is a new and green technology where these biomass wastes are converted into biochars [10]. Pyrolysis is a multi-product process which has shown the potential of recovering hydrocarbon liquid from carbonaceous solid waste, besides the char and the gas products. These carbonaceous solid wastes are renewable energy sources and therefore, the potential of

Biochar is a value added product, which can be used for many purposes. It is highly carbonaceous and hence contains high energy content, comparable to high rank coals [12]. In addition, the heterogeneous reaction of solid carbon with oxygen is slower than homogeneous oxidation, which is relatively safe and easy to control. Biochar also has a large microscopic surface area due to the microspores developed during pyrolysis, and can be used for the filtration and

This study investigates the properties of biochar by slow pyrolysis [13] for coconut coir (CC) and ground nut shell (GNS) at different temperature at 350, 550, 750 and 950C. Detailed properties of biochar from the samples were compared for the mass yield, elemental composition, pH, ash content and its functional group. Based on the results, the utilization of the

Coconut coir (CC) and ground nut shell (GNS) were selected as the representative agricultural waste biomass due to their high consumption potential in Jharkhand. The agricultural biomass was crushed to less than 5 mm and then dried at 105 3C for 24 h for pyrolysis study. These samples were air dried and undertaken for slow pyrolysis [14]. The pyrolysis was carried out

house gases [6].

208 Energy Systems and Environment

of this is wasted and creates disposal problem.

converting them into useful energy [11].

biomass residues for biochar production was discussed.

2.1. Selection of materials and biochar preparation

adsorption of pollutants [12].

2. Experimental

Proximate analysis was performed on agricultural waste biomass samples for the determination of ash, moisture, volatile matter and fixed carbon contents following the (ASTM E871-82, E1755-01, and E872-82) [9]. The fixed carbon (FC) content was calculated by difference.

ASTM D1762–84 standard method was followed for proximate analysis [15] for derived biochar in order to determine ash, moisture, volatile matter and fixed carbon contents presents in the biochar.

ASTM E777, 778 and 775 standard test method was followed for ultimate analysis [16] using (Vario EL III) CHNS analyzer.

The heating values of the samples were determined by bomb calorimeter (TESTMASTER T-451). A bomb calorimeter was used according to the (ASTM D4809-00) standard test method [17].

For pH determination, biochar slurry was prepared in (1.20, w/v) ratio of biochar and water [12]. PCS Testr™ 35 pH meter was used for pH determination.

ASTM E1131-03 standard method was followed for TGA/DTG by using a computerized NETZSCH SAT 449F3 thermogravimetry analyzer.

FT-IR spectroscopy was analyzed by a Perkin Elmer Spectra 2, USA, in which the pellet was prepared by mixing 1 mg of dried biochar with 200 mg of pre-dried and pulverized spectroscopic-grade KBr (potassium bromide).
