Slow pyrolysis of relevant biomasses in the Mediterranean basin. Part 2. Char characterisation for carbon sequestration and agricultural uses

The viability of agriculture-bioenergy production systems based on biomass pyrolysis greatly depends on the commercialisation of the char obtained, its use as a soil amendment being particularly relevant. The present study focused on assessing the agronomic quality of twelve chars derived from four relevant biomasses in the Mediterranean area (olive stone, almond shell, pine wood and olive-tree pruning) and produced by slow pyrolysis. The slow pyrolysis-derived chars generally fulfilled quality criteria for carbon sequestration and agricultural uses: organic carbon (Corg) > 50%, H/Corg