Date of Award

Spring 5-3-2023

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering (MSMSE)

Department

Materials Science

First Advisor

Dr. Richard LaDouceur

Second Advisor

Dr. Mario Caccia

Third Advisor

Steve Tarrant

Fourth Advisor

Ryan Munson

Abstract

The present study focuses upon the design, fabrication, and feasibility of the bulk production of scientific biochar for mobile delivery. In the 2022 annual report, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine recommended the integration of mobile, decentralized reactors that employ flexible manufacturing and circular economic principles. Biochar production, involving the thermal degradation of biomass under an inert atmosphere to yield remediation media is an ideal material to satisfy this recommendation. Many potential application sites, such as abandoned mines, are remote and limit the construction of large infrastructure. The continuous vacuum-assisted pyrolysis (CVAP) reactor was designed to: increase biochar throughput, provide process sensing/automation, and determine the effects of bulk production. Reactor design was completed by modifying existing technologies and incorporating previously unexplored induction heating. Fabrication and design of the CVAP reactor were performed according to industrial safety standards and best-practices. The feasibility of bulk production was evaluated based upon the characteristics of the produced biochar, reactor performance, and project economics. Due to production delays, existing biochar samples were thoroughly characterized to serve as a baseline for future analysis. The performance of the reactor greatly improves upon previous designs: increasing throughput, decreasing the burden upon the operator, and providing increased safety interlocks. Finally, the CVAP reactor operational costs are less than traditional batch reactors by a factor of 21. Preliminary results from this study indicate promising results for future development of bulk biochar processing.

Download

Share

COinS