| dc.description.abstract | The generation of waste by the agricultural sector, driven by the increase in population,
has been a challenge in terms of its management, given the large amount of bio-waste
produced, which can reach 40% only in the fruit industry. Banana peel, residue from
banana consumption, is basically composed of the lignocellulosic structures found in
most agricultural biomasses: cellulose, hemicellulose, lignins, extracts and other
elements such as K, found in large quantities in the fruit and one of the macronutrients
necessary for soil fertility. The conversion of banana peels through slow pyrolysis can
form more stable structures and which, when incorporated into the soil, can promote
an improvement in their quality and possible increase in crop yields. In this sense, this
work sought to evaluate the characteristics of the biochar formed from the pyrolysis of
banana peel in two heating profiles at the pyrolysis temperature of 370 °C at heating
rates of 11 °C/min and 35 °C/min determined with the aid of a computational model for
a potential application in agricultural soils. The biochars produced were characterized
in order to determine the hydrogen potential (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), cation
exchange capacity (CEC), morphology, surface area, atomic ratios C/N, H/C and O/C.
The results showed a highly alkaline structure, with an average pH value of 12.60; as
well as a CTC of 511 mmol/kg which suggests a good potential for application as a soil
conditioner. It was possible to conclude that, the temperature increases until the
heating bands of the profiles of the pyrolysis performed formed a stable biochar
considering its lower atomic ratios, to the point that it was possible to observe an
increase in its surface area and amount of pores in its structure. | en |
