Preparation, production, characterisation and the use of biochar

In the Department of Power Engineering, the production of high-temperature biochar as an energy by-product is being addressed by a team led by Associate Professor Pohořelý. One of the main results was a Patent (Pat. No. 306239) for a device that enables combined heat, power and biochar production, on the basis of which an industrial unit was put into operation. Simultaneously, the team participated in the commissioning of other gasification units in the Czech Republic with the aim of producing low-tar generator gas. As a result of the cooperation and adjustments to the operating parameters of these gasification units, very low tar levels in the generator gas of 5-50 mg/m³ were achieved, well below the limits for combustion engines. The energy by-product met the European Biochar Certificate (EBC) quality standards for use as biochar. The biochar had a specific surface area of 350-700 m²/g and very low volatiles content, H/C molar ratio and PAHs content. Our expertise in the production of high-temperature biochar led to the establishment of collaborations with other research groups and institutions that have used our expertise in the preparation, production and characterisation of biochar properties for research work in the fields of sustainable agriculture, removal of heavy metals and metalloids from contaminated soil and water or using biochar as feed component. 

Projects

Articles

1. Moško, J., Skoblia, S., Beňo, Z., Farták, J., Baroš, P., Jevič, P., Měkotová, P., Pohořelý, M. Torrefaction and pyrolysis of agrowaste-derived materials: Properties and quality of products. Paliva 16, 53–65, (2024). https://doi.org/10.35933/paliva.2024.02.03
2. Halecký, M., Mach, J., Zápotocký, L., Pohořelý, M., Beňo, Z., Farták, J., Kozliak, E. Biofiltration of n-butyl acetate with three packing material mixtures, with and without biochar. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A 59, 87–101, (2024). https://doi.org/10.1080/10934529.2024.2332127. (WoS, JIF 1.9 /2023/, Q3).
3. Sochacki, A., Lebrun, M., Minofar, B., Pohořelý, M., Vithanage, M., Sarmah, A.K., Böserle Hudcová, B., Buchtelík, S., Trakal, L. Adsorption of common greywater pollutants and nutrients by various biochars as potential amendments for nature-based systems: Laboratory tests and molecular dynamics. Environmental Pollution 343, 123203, (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123203. (WoS, JIF 7.6 /2023/, Q1).
4. Lebrun, M., Zahid, Z., Bednik, M., Medynska-Juraszek, A., Száková, J., Brtnický, M., Holátko, J., Bourgerie, S., Beesley, L., Pohořelý, M., Macků, J., Hnátková, T., Trakal, L. Combined Biochar and Manure Addition to an Agricultural Soil Benefits Fertility, Microbial Activity, and Mitigates Manure-Induced CO₂ Emissions. Soil Use and Management, 40, e12997, (2024). https://doi.org/10.1111/sum.12997. (WoS, JIF 5.0 /2023/, Q1).
5. Staf, M., Šrámek, V., Pohořelý, M. The Preparation of a Carbonaceous Adsorbent via Batch Pyrolysis of Waste Hemp Shives. Energies, 16, 1202, (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/en16031202. (WoS, JIF 3.2 /2022/, Q3).
6. Joch, M., Výborná, A., Tyrolová, Y., Kudrna, V., Trakal, L., Vadroňová, M., Tichá, D., Pohořelý, M. Feeding biochar to horses: Effects on nutrient digestibility, fecal characteristics, and blood parameters. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 285, 115242, (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2022.115242. (WoS, JIF 3.313 /2021/, Q1).
7. Chen, H., Gao, Y., El-Naggar, A., Niazi, N. K., Sun, C., Shaheen, S. M., Hou, D., Yang, X., Tang, Z., Liu, Z., Hou, H., Chen, W., Rinklebe, J., Pohořelý, M., Wang, H. Enhanced Sorption of Trivalent Antimony by Chitosan-Loaded Biochar in Aqueous Solutions: Characterization, Performance and Mechanisms. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 425, 127971, (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127971. (WoS, JIF 14.224 /2021/, Q1*/D1).
8.  Veselská, V., Šillerová, H., Hudcová, B., Ratié, G., Lacina, P., Laliská-Voleková, B., Trakal, L., Šottník, P., Jurkovič, Ľ., Pohořelý, M., Vantelon, D., Šafařík, I., Komárek, M. Innovative in situ remediation of mine waters using a layered double hydroxide-biochar composite. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 424, Part A, 127136, (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127136. (WoS, JIF 14.224 /2021/, Q1*/D1).
9. Mocová, K.A., Petrová, Š., Pohořelý, M., Martinec, M., Tourinho, P.S. Biochar reduces the toxicity of silver to barley (Hordeum vulgare) and springtails (Folsomia candida) in a natural soil. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29, 37435–37444, (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-18289-2. (WoS, JIF 5.190 /2021/, Q2).
10.  Matuštík, J., Pohořelý, M., Kočí, V. Is application of biochar to soil really carbon negative? The effect of methodological decisions in Life Cycle Assessment. Science of The Total Environment, 807, Part 3, 151058, (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151058. (WoS, JIF 10.754 /2021/, Q1*/D1).
11. Lebrun, M., Bouček, J., Berchová Bímová, K., Kraus, K., Haisel, D., Kulhánek, M., Omara-Ojungu, C., Seyedsadr, S., Beesley, L., Soudek, P., Petrová, Š., Pohořelý, M., Trakal, L. Biochar in manure can suppress water stress of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) and increase sucrose content in tubers. Science of The Total Environment, 814, 152772, (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152772. (WoS, JIF 10.754 /2021/, Q1*/D1).
12. Seyedsadr, S., Šípek, V., Jačka, L., Sněhota, M., Beesley, L., Pohořelý, M., Kovář, M., Trakal, L. Biochar considerably increases the easily available water and nutrient content in low-organic soils amended with compost and manure. Chemosphere, 293, 133586, (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133586. (WoS, JIF 8.943 /2021/, Q1).
13. Wen, E., Yang, X., Chen, H., Shaheen, S.M., Sarkar, B., Xu, S., Song, H., Liang, Y., Rinklebe, J., Hou., D., Li, Y., Wu, F., Pohořelý, M., Wong, J.W.C., Wang, H. Iron-modified biochar and water management regime-induced changes in plant growth, enzyme activities, and phytoavailability of arsenic, cadmium and lead in a paddy soil. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 407, 124344, (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124344. (WoS, IF 10.588 /2020/, Q1*/D1).
14. Brynda, J., Skoblia, S., Pohořelý, M., Beňo, Z., Soukup, K., Jeremiáš, M., Moško, J., Zach, B., Trakal, L., Šyc, M., Svoboda, K. Wood chips gasification in a fixed-bed multi-stage gasifier for decentralized high-efficiency CHP and biochar production: Long-term commercial operation. Fuel, 281, 118637, (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2020.118637. (WoS, JIF 5.578 /2019/, Q1).
15. Teodoro, M., Trakal, L., Gallagher, B. N., Šimek, P., Soudek, P., Pohořelý, M., Beesley, L., Jačka, L., Kovář, M., Seyedsadr, S., Mohan, D. Application of co-composted biochar significantly improved plant-growth relevant physical/chemical properties of a metal contaminated soil. Chemosphere, 242, 125255, (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125255. (WoS, IF 5,778 /2019/, Q1).
16.  Ouředníček, P., Hudcová, B., Trakal, L., Pohořelý, M., Komárek, M. Synthesis of modified amorphous manganese oxide using low-cost sugars and biochars: Material characterization and metal(loid) sorption properties. Science of The Total Environment, 670, 1159–1169, (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.300. (WoS, JIF 5.589 /2018/, Q1).
17. Jačka, L., Trakal, L., Ouředníček, P., Pohořelý, M., Šípek, V. Biochar presence in soil significantly decreased saturated hydraulic conductivity due to swelling. Soil and Tillage Research, 184, 181–185, (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2018.07.018. (WoS, JIF 3.824 /2017/, Q1*/D1).
18. Trakal, L., Bingöl, D., Pohořelý, M., Hruška, M., Komárek, M. Geochemical and spectroscopic investigations of Cd and Pb sorption mechanisms on contrasting biochars: Engineering implications. Bioresource Technology, 171, 442–451, (2014). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2014.08.108. (WoS, JIF 5.039 /2013/, Q1*/D1).