Application of biochar for minewater remediation: Effect of scaling up production on performance under laboratory and field conditions

[Display omitted] •Investigates the real world application of biochar for the treatment of minewater.•Presents results from field testing and bulk production of biochar.•Provides information on the scalability of the technology.•Provides the first known comparison between real and synthetic minewaters.•Calculates the amount of biochar and feedstock required to remediate a minewater. Metals discharged from abandoned mines are a major source of pollution in many parts of the world. As a result, there is a growing need for suitable low-cost remediation methods. While a large literature base exists demonstrating the efficacy of biochar to remove metals from solution, most studies are confined to the laboratory. This study examines the effects on the biochar quality when scaling up production from laboratory to pilot scale. Pilot scale biochars were produced using a 600 kg batch pyrolysis reactor, these chars were then deployed in the field using a series of 100 mm × 1200 mm cylindrical treatment cells installed at the point of discharge from an abandoned mine site. Most biochars produced at a pilot removed more zinc under laboratory conditions, however all of the biochars showed a reduced performance when tested in the field, this ranged from a 14% to an 85% reduction depending on the biochar.