Thermochemical conversion of avocado agro-industrial waste: Influence of operating conditions on biochar yield and properties

Flores-Izquierdo M.A.; Carrera C.J.O.; Gaviria-Restrepo J.; Flores-Espinoza B.C. · Bioresource Technology Reports (2025) · DOI: 10.1016/j.biteb.2025.102418

Resumen

Biochar production from agroindustrial waste is a promising strategy to meet the demand for renewable, sustainable energy. This study evaluated the thermochemical behavior of Persea americana var. Hass seeds during pyrolysis, focusing on the influence of particle size, residence time and temperature using a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial design. The highest biochar yield (48 %) was obtained with 1 mm particles at 300 °C and a 1 h residence time, whereas yields at 400 °C and 500 °C ranged from 33 %–34 %, respectively. The full factorial design and post hoc Tukey's HSD analysis confirmed that temperature, particle size, and residence time significantly influenced biochar yield. The resulting biochar exhibited a high calorific value (26.27 MJ/kg), high carbon concentration (69.85 %), and low sulfur concentration (0.27 %). These findings identify optimal conditions for maximizing biochar yield and quality, supporting the industrial-scale utilization of untreated agroindustrial residues while contributing to pollution reduction and resource efficiency.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería; Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola