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Olive pomace and sewage sludge - turning environmental problems into environment- friendly biochar

World olive oil production is coupled with a significant quantity of waste produced during the making process - olive pomace (OP). On the other hand, with the rapid development of urban areas, large quantities of sewage sludge (SS) are generated from wastewater treatment plants. Both materials are becoming big environmental problems. One of the promising technologies for an environment friendly disposal is slow pyrolysis resulting in biochar production. The aim of the present experiment was to research the potential of OP and SS for biochar production (OPB and SSB). Biochar samples were produced using a cost-efficient flame curtain kiln (Kon-Tiki). In the studied OP, SS, OPB and SSB samples macro and microelements (N, C, H, S, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Mo, Zn), as well as heavy metals content (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb) were determined. Samples were examined by high- resolution scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). OPB samples showed higher content of all investigated elements, except N, C, H, S and Hg, compared to OP, while SSB samples showed higher content of all investigated elements, except H and Hg, compared to SS. SEM results showed that OPB samples had a typical biochar structure, while SSB samples showed only a partial success of slow pyrolysis, probably due to the heterogeneity of SS. It was also confirmed by FTIR results, showing a successful pyrolysis of OP and only a partial of SS. This study showed that OP and SS after conversion into biochar presented generally higher macro and micronutrient content which is very good for biochar agricultural usage in form of soil fertilizer, but further investigation should be addressed to the slow pyrolysis process of SS using Kon-Tiki kilns. Biochar production from OP and SS is a promising technology for the disposal of these materials.

olive pomace, sewage sludge, biochar, nutrients, pollution

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