Structural and chemical characterization of Douglas-fir and red alder biochar
Keywords:
Biochar, pyrolysis temperature, biomass feedstock, characterization, thermal stability, functional groups.Abstract
Biochar properties are often interpreted primarily as a function of pyrolysis temperature, but feedstock compositional differences can also influence the structural evolution of woody biochar. This study provides a complementary characterization of biochar produced from Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) softwood and red alder (Alnus rubra) hardwood forest residues under comparable pyrolysis conditions. Douglas-fir biochar was produced at 350°C, 500°C, and 700°C, while red alder biochar was produced at 500°C, using fast pyrolysis in a custom-built fluidized bed reactor. The biochar was characterized using proximate and elemental analysis, CO₂ BET surface area, pH, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Within the Douglas-fir series, increasing pyrolysis temperature decreased biochar yield, volatile matter, and oxygenated functional groups, while increasing gas yield, fixed carbon, alkalinity, surface area, and thermal stability. Under identical pyrolysis conditions at 500°C, red alder biochar retained greater C-H and O-H functionality and higher O/C and H/C ratios than Douglas-fir biochar. These differences were consistent with feedstock compositional differences, particularly the higher hemicellulose content and syringyl-guaiacyl lignin composition of red alder, which may favor retention of hydrogenated and oxygenated structures. In contrast, the higher guaiacyl lignin content of Douglas-fir may have contributed to greater carbon condensation, deoxygenation, and aromatization. Raman analysis showed increasing Iᴅ/Iɢ ratio with pyrolysis temperature, indicating changes in carbon structure during thermal reorganization. Feedstock differences were evaluated at 500°C, while temperature effects were assessed only for Douglas-fir. The results from this study link feedstock composition with differences in functional-group retention, carbon condensation, and thermal stability.
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