Optimization of pyrolysis conditions for Catha edulis waste-based biochar production using response surface methodology
Abstract Catha edulis (Khat) waste (KW) is one of the challenging waste managements in Ethiopian urban areas. While biochar from other biomass sources has been studied, the effect of pyrolysis conditions on Catha edulis waste-based biochar yield and quality remains unexplored. Therefore, this study...
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SpringerOpen
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Bioresources and Bioprocessing |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40643-025-00866-9 |
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| author | Abdi Birhanu Abrha Mulu Hailu Zemene Worku Israel Tessema Kenatu Angassa Solomon Tibebu |
| author_facet | Abdi Birhanu Abrha Mulu Hailu Zemene Worku Israel Tessema Kenatu Angassa Solomon Tibebu |
| author_sort | Abdi Birhanu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Catha edulis (Khat) waste (KW) is one of the challenging waste managements in Ethiopian urban areas. While biochar from other biomass sources has been studied, the effect of pyrolysis conditions on Catha edulis waste-based biochar yield and quality remains unexplored. Therefore, this study aims to optimize the biochar production process from Catha edulis waste for high yield and desirable characteristics. The KW and biochar were characterized using FTIR, BET, proximate analysis and other key parameters. The results indicated that KW possesses favorable properties for thermochemical conversion, with low ash content (4.35% wt. dry basis) and significant organic constituents (46.89% cellulose, 28.53% lignin, 19.62% hemicellulose, 4.96% extractives). The effect of pyrolysis process variables embracing reaction temperature, reaction time, and particle size on biochar yield and quality was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) coupled with central composite design (CCD). The biochar was desirably characterized by a pH of 8.96, fixed carbon of 60.08%, ash content of 10.55%, and a yield of 45.12% at the optimum production processes of 390 °C, 44 min, and 0.7 mm particle size. Moreover, the study found that pyrolysis temperature was the most influential factor across all responses (yield and quality). Consequently, the biochar (yield and quality) was significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by pyrolysis temperature. In conclusion, the study inferred that KW holds substantial potential for biochar production with remarkable soil amendment characteristics. Graphical Abstract |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2fbc2a93edcf459e96403d1f76e4e8e1 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2197-4365 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Bioresources and Bioprocessing |
| spelling | doaj-art-2fbc2a93edcf459e96403d1f76e4e8e12025-08-20T03:22:46ZengSpringerOpenBioresources and Bioprocessing2197-43652025-06-0112111810.1186/s40643-025-00866-9Optimization of pyrolysis conditions for Catha edulis waste-based biochar production using response surface methodologyAbdi Birhanu0Abrha Mulu Hailu1Zemene Worku2Israel Tessema3Kenatu Angassa4Solomon Tibebu5Department Environmental Engineering, College Engineering, Sustainable Energy Center of Excellence, Bioprocess and Biotechnology Center of Excellence, Addis Ababa Science and Technology UniversityDepartment Environmental Engineering, College Engineering, Sustainable Energy Center of Excellence, Bioprocess and Biotechnology Center of Excellence, Addis Ababa Science and Technology UniversityDepartment Environmental Engineering, College Engineering, Sustainable Energy Center of Excellence, Bioprocess and Biotechnology Center of Excellence, Addis Ababa Science and Technology UniversityDepartment Environmental Engineering, College Engineering, Sustainable Energy Center of Excellence, Bioprocess and Biotechnology Center of Excellence, Addis Ababa Science and Technology UniversityDepartment Environmental Engineering, College Engineering, Sustainable Energy Center of Excellence, Bioprocess and Biotechnology Center of Excellence, Addis Ababa Science and Technology UniversityDepartment Environmental Engineering, College Engineering, Sustainable Energy Center of Excellence, Bioprocess and Biotechnology Center of Excellence, Addis Ababa Science and Technology UniversityAbstract Catha edulis (Khat) waste (KW) is one of the challenging waste managements in Ethiopian urban areas. While biochar from other biomass sources has been studied, the effect of pyrolysis conditions on Catha edulis waste-based biochar yield and quality remains unexplored. Therefore, this study aims to optimize the biochar production process from Catha edulis waste for high yield and desirable characteristics. The KW and biochar were characterized using FTIR, BET, proximate analysis and other key parameters. The results indicated that KW possesses favorable properties for thermochemical conversion, with low ash content (4.35% wt. dry basis) and significant organic constituents (46.89% cellulose, 28.53% lignin, 19.62% hemicellulose, 4.96% extractives). The effect of pyrolysis process variables embracing reaction temperature, reaction time, and particle size on biochar yield and quality was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) coupled with central composite design (CCD). The biochar was desirably characterized by a pH of 8.96, fixed carbon of 60.08%, ash content of 10.55%, and a yield of 45.12% at the optimum production processes of 390 °C, 44 min, and 0.7 mm particle size. Moreover, the study found that pyrolysis temperature was the most influential factor across all responses (yield and quality). Consequently, the biochar (yield and quality) was significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by pyrolysis temperature. In conclusion, the study inferred that KW holds substantial potential for biochar production with remarkable soil amendment characteristics. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s40643-025-00866-9BiocharCatha edulis wasteCCDOptimizationPyrolysis conditionsRSM |
| spellingShingle | Abdi Birhanu Abrha Mulu Hailu Zemene Worku Israel Tessema Kenatu Angassa Solomon Tibebu Optimization of pyrolysis conditions for Catha edulis waste-based biochar production using response surface methodology Bioresources and Bioprocessing Biochar Catha edulis waste CCD Optimization Pyrolysis conditions RSM |
| title | Optimization of pyrolysis conditions for Catha edulis waste-based biochar production using response surface methodology |
| title_full | Optimization of pyrolysis conditions for Catha edulis waste-based biochar production using response surface methodology |
| title_fullStr | Optimization of pyrolysis conditions for Catha edulis waste-based biochar production using response surface methodology |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimization of pyrolysis conditions for Catha edulis waste-based biochar production using response surface methodology |
| title_short | Optimization of pyrolysis conditions for Catha edulis waste-based biochar production using response surface methodology |
| title_sort | optimization of pyrolysis conditions for catha edulis waste based biochar production using response surface methodology |
| topic | Biochar Catha edulis waste CCD Optimization Pyrolysis conditions RSM |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40643-025-00866-9 |
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