Organic compounds in pyrolytic carbon

Abstract

The content of organic compounds in char affects its ecotoxicity. The chemical composition of pyrolysis carbon was studied in carbon prepared by torrefaction of spruce wood and pyrolysis of wood pellets, tyres and TetraPak. Organic compounds present in biochar and char were investigated with respect to assessment of suitability for agricultural applications. Char and biochar samples were analysed by method of pyrolysis gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection. The identified compounds were aromatic hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, furans, benzofurans, substances containing phenol, benzepolycarboxyl acids, and substances of biogenic origin (fragments of cellulose, hemicellulose, protein, etc.). Relatively higher concentrations of compound fragments from biocomponents are associated with biochar from wood pellets. Organic compounds which are potentially toxic and carcinogenic for living organisms (PAHs, benzofurans and aromatic hydrocarbons) have higher concetrations in char from synthetic materials (scarp tyres, TetraPak) compared with biochar.