Physicochemical and energetic properties of biochars derived from leaves, branches, twigs, and mixtures obtained from urban pruning of Ficus benjamina
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1
Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Food Industries, Universidad Nacional Pedro Ruiz Gallo, Ciudad Universitaria, Calle Juan XXIII 391, Lambayeque 14000, Peru
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Biorefinery Research Group, Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, Ciudad Universitaria, Avenida Túpac Amaru 210 Rímac, Lima 15333, Peru
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Faculty of Environmental and Sanitary Engineering, Universidad Nacional San Luis Gonzaga, Ciudad Universitaria, Avenida Los Maestros s/n, Ica 11004, Peru
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Faculty of Engineering, Universidad Tecnológica del Perú, Local Central, Prolongación Augusto B. Leguía con Avenida. Herman Meiner, Chiclayo 14001, Peru
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Faculty of Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering, Universidad Nacional San Luis Gonzaga, Ciudad Universitaria, Avenida Los Maestros s/n, Ica 11004, Peru
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Chemical Synthesis Research Group, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Ciudad Universitaria, Avenida Venezuela cuadra 34, Lima 15081, Peru
Publication date: 2026-11-02
Corresponding author
Segundo Alberto Vásquez Llanos
Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Food Industries, Universidad Nacional Pedro Ruiz Gallo, Ciudad Universitaria, Calle Juan XXIII 391, Lambayeque 14000, Peru
J. Ecol. Eng. 2027; 28(1)
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ABSTRACT
Urban pruning residues constitute an underutilized source of lignocellulosic biomass, whose compositional heterogeneity may condition thermochemical conversion and the properties of biochar intended for energy applications. This study evaluated the physicochemical properties and energy performance of biochars obtained from leaves, branches, twigs, and their binary and ternary mixtures of pruning residues of Ficus benjamina L. Seven treatments were carbonized at 500 °C for 1 h under limited oxygen conditions. The biochars were characterized through proximate and elemental analysis, higher heating value (HHV), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic H/C and O/C ratios, and conversion and energy performance indicators. Mass yield ranged between 30.49 and 37.01%, and HHV ranged between 18.06 and 25.50 MJ/kg. The biochar obtained from the 50:50 mixture of branches and twigs (T3) presented the highest values of energy enrichment factor of 1.48 (EEF), energy yield of 47.95%, carbon densification factor of 1.52, calorific value improvement of 48.20%, combustibility index of 9.40 MJ/kg, and volatile ignitability of 23.51 MJ/kg. The biochar obtained from leaves (T7) achieved the highest mass yield but presented the lowest values of HHV, EEF, and energy yield, evidencing that a higher mass yield does not imply a higher energy recovery. FTIR and the H/C and O/C ratios evidenced the aromatization and condensation of the carbonaceous matrix, with loss of oxygenated functional groups. The proportion of leaves, branches, and twigs conditioned the physicochemical and energy properties of the biochars, evidencing differentiated profiles among treatments and their relevance for the thermochemical valorization of urban pruning residues.