THE IMPACT OF CO-PYROLYSIS OF PIG DUNG WITH PALM KERNEL SHELL AND EMPTY PLASTIC WATER SACHETS ON ITS BIOCHAR AND ACTIVATED CHARCOAL YIELD

Abstract

The large volumes of pig dung generated in pig farms in Nigeria constitute environmental problems that need to be addressed through better waste management approaches. This study determined the impact of the co-pyrolysis of pig dung with palm kernel shell (PKS) or empty plastic water sachets (PWS) on its biochar (BC) and activated charcoal (AC) yields. Properly sun-dried weighed pig dung (PDA) and its blends with PKS (2:1 ratio pig dung/palm kernel shell derived activated charcoal (PPA) or with PWS (2.1 ratio) (pig dung/empty plastic sachet derived activated charcoal (PWA) were pyrolysed using a simple clay pot pyrolyser at about 350 - 4000C for 3-4 hours to achieve the complete carbonization and produce biochar. For AC production, the carbonization process was terminated by introduction of water to the hot biochar, thereby achieving physical activation of the chars. The products were cooled and dried at ambient temperature and thereafter weighed to determine the carbon yield and combustible material in percentages. The results showed that the AC yields from PPA< PWA and PDA were 41. 00, 19.67 and 35% respectively with PWA value being significantly lower (p < 0.05) than the PPA value but similar to PDA. The biochar (BC) result showed a similar, to PDA. The biochar results showed values standing at 35.56; 16.33 and 29.50% respectively. The AC yields were therefore higher than the BC yields across different materials. The pyrolysis of pig dung and its blends resulted in 59.00 - 83.67 % reductions in their weights with the production of value added products and is therefore recommended to pig farmers as an effective dung management option