CUSAR’s Sustainable Approach: Utilizing Organic Waste for Eco-friendly Biochar Production

12 September 2023

In agricultural practices, apart from achieving primary yields, there are also significant byproducts that result from extensive cultivation. These agricultural byproducts, if not managed properly by farmers, such as through inappropriate burning, can lead to environmental issues, generate smoke, and cause adverse effects on human health. Additionally, they contribute to environmental problems, particularly global warming. The School of Agricultural Resources at Chulalongkorn University, which is an academic institution responsible for education, research, and academic services in agricultural resource management, emphasizes the importance of managing agricultural byproducts. They aim to increase their value through various means or utilize them to maximize benefits without impacting human health or the environment.

Transforming agricultural byproducts into biochar is another alternative for increasing their value and utilizing them for various purposes. In the province of Nan, a significant number of agricultural byproducts are generated from crops such as animal feed corn, including corn husks, corn stalks, and corn cobs. Rice farming also produces valuable byproducts such as rice straw. Additionally, pruning and trimming fruit trees results in various sizes of woody branches as byproducts. These agricultural byproducts can be effectively converted into biochar by using standardized kilns that produce high-quality charcoal and biochar with diverse qualities.

For the past several years, Dr. Supin Sangsuk, an assistant professor at the School of Agricultural Resources at Chulalongkorn University, has been actively engaged in collaborative work with farmers. Her work involves providing knowledge, guidance, and support to promote the utilization of agricultural byproducts and conducting research on the beneficial uses of biochar. Furthermore, she has collaborated with experts in crop production, utilizing woody branches from pruning and trimming fruit trees to produce biochar. The biochar is then used to enhance soil quality in a circular economy approach, or it can be utilized as an energy source for cooking. Dr. Supin’s continuous research focuses on utilizing biochar to effectively adsorb contaminants in water, such as dye removal from fabric production processes in local community enterprises that produce various types of textiles in Nan province.

The biochar demonstrates excellent adsorption properties, allowing for water purification before discharge into natural water sources or recycling in agricultural practices and other applications. The results of the ongoing collaborative work with farmers in the area and continuous research have led to the publication of an academic article in the journal Heliyon. The academic paper is titled “Production of non-activated biochar based on Biden pilosa and its application in removing methylene blue from aqueous solutions.”

In addition, Dr. Supin Sangsuk has conducted training programs to disseminate knowledge among students. These programs are conducted in collaboration with the Provincial Administration Organization of Nan, aiming to raise awareness and provide a comprehensive understanding of agricultural resource management for maximizing benefits. During the learning activities for high school students in Nan province, participants receive knowledge transfer, starting from the meaning of biochar to the types of agricultural waste materials that can be used as raw materials for biochar production.

They also learn about the preparation process to ensure suitability for use. As an example, a 200-liter drum kiln with a heat distribution tube is used to demonstrate biochar production equipment designed for efficient heat distribution, resulting in consistent and high-quality charcoal and biochar production. The biochar can be utilized as a material for soil improvement and for absorbing contaminants in water. A practical example illustrating the effectiveness of biochar is demonstrated through the removal of dye contaminants from water. Biochar is packed into glass columns, and water contaminated with dye is poured into the columns. As the contaminated water passes through the columns, the resulting water becomes colorless. This principle can serve as a guide for participants to produce biochar in their own areas and utilize the dye-absorbing properties of biochar for water treatment, especially before releasing the water into the environment, particularly natural water sources. This process significantly reduces the dye contamination in water sources.

The initiatives align closely with the sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 – Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 13 – Climate Action, and SDG 15 – Life on Land. The School of Agricultural Resources at Chulalongkorn University, has a strategic approach to supporting and promoting continuous knowledge dissemination and development for sustainable agricultural development and resource management.

By addressing SDG 3, – Clean Water and Sanitation, the faculty’s efforts in utilizing biochar for water treatment contribute to ensuring clean and safe water sources. The use of biochar in water purification helps reduce contaminants and improve water quality, aligning with the goal of providing access to clean water for all.

Regarding SDG 13 – Climate Action, the production and utilization of biochar from agricultural byproducts represents a climate-friendly approach. Biochar serves as a carbon sink, effectively mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. This sustainable practice helps combat climate change and contributes to its overall goal.

Additionally, the school’s focus on SDG 15 – Life on Land is evident through their emphasis on utilizing biochar to enhance soil quality and promote sustainable land management practices. By improving soil fertility and nutrient retention, biochar aids in maintaining healthy ecosystems and preserving biodiversity.

The School of Agricultural Resources at Chulalongkorn University continues to provide continuous support and promotion of knowledge dissemination to uplift and advance sustainable agricultural development and resource management. Through its ongoing efforts, it contributes in significant ways to the achievement of these SDGs and work towards a more sustainable future.