NUR INSYIRAH BINTI MOHD NOOR POLITEKNIK NILAI
Deforestation, driven by charcoal production from trees, poses a significant environmental threat, contributing to climate change and biodiversity loss. This study addresses this issue by exploring an innovative approach to biochar production using sugarcane biomass. The rising demand for charcoal in developing countries, coupled with improper disposal of sugarcane waste, necessitates sustainable alternatives. Biochar, a carbon-rich material derived from sugarcane biomass, not only addresses waste management but also offers a potential solution to deforestation. The research objectives include identifying optimised conditions for sugarcane biomass production, determining the best method for biochar production, and assessing the physicochemical properties of the resulting biochar. The methodology involves 2 sugarcane variables (coarse and fine) during pre-pyrolysis process, pyrolysis operated at 8 hours, and thorough post-pyrolysis testing for characterization using pH, calorific content, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solid (TDS) reduction and bulk density. Key findings include the successful identification of optimal conditions at 5 kg load under 8 hours operation for the pyrolysis chamber and insights into critical factors affecting the efficiency of sugarcane biomass conversion with the yield of 0.8 kg of biochar. Post-pyrolysis tests reveal essential physicochemical properties such as pH 7, calorific content 39.974 MJ/kg, EC ranging at 0.8 - 2.5 deciSiemens/m, TDS reduction 18%, and bulk density at 0.08g/ml. In conclusion, this research contributes valuable insights into sustainable biomass conversion, providing a nuanced understanding of efficient pyrolysis methods and crucial physicochemical properties of biochar. These findings pave the way for environmentally friendly and economically sound practices, shaping future research directions and applications in the realm of biochar production and utilisation.