An investigation of drum granulation of post-pyrolysis washed biochar

Biochar, unwashed and washed with a solution of Triton and hydrogen peroxide, was wet drum granulated using molasses binder solutions. Unwashed biochar was very hydrophobic and granulation proceeded through forming liquid marbles and layering. Washing reduced the hydrophobicity of the biochar. The effectiveness of the wash depended on the biochar source; it significantly reduced the hydrophobicity of biochar from woodchips and moderately reduced the hydrophobicity of biochar from flower digestate. Therefore, washed biochar from woodchips was granulated using a hydrophilic mechanism, while washed biochar from digestate was granulated according to a combination mechanism of liquid marbles collapsing and then coalescing. The change in granulation mechanism produced stronger and denser granules with higher yields of granules in the 1–4 mm optimal size range. Washing and then granulating biochar created a product that could be further tailored for optimal soil amendment.