Publication date: November 2014
Source:Geoderma, Volumes 232–234
Author(s): Pyoungchung Kim , Daniel Hensley , Nicole Labbé
Biochar pellets produced by blending switchgrass biochar, lignin and fertilizers K and P together followed by pelletization were characterized and investigated for their ability to release K and P. Pellets processed at 180 °C with increasing lignin content from 10 to 30 wt.% had higher density, thermal stability and durability, and produced lower pore volume and smaller pore size than pellets processed at 105 °C. Fertilizer-embedded biochar pellets with 10–30 wt.% lignin and processed at 180 °C had a slower K and P release than pellets dried at 105 °C, with release rates (53–62% in K and 49–62% in P) within the first 24 h followed by gradual releases (78–87% in K and 73–78% in P) for the next 18 days. Therefore, by controlling lignin content and processing temperature of the pellets, one can control the release rate of nutrients present in biochar pellets.
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Source:Geoderma, Volumes 232–234
Author(s): Pyoungchung Kim , Daniel Hensley , Nicole Labbé
Graphical abstract
