Slow pyrolysis enhances the recovery and reuse of phosphorus and reduces metal leaching from biosolids
Highlights: • Waste water biosolids offer a source of P for agricultural applications. • Biosolids with and without alum were converted into biochar. • Conversion of biosolids containing alum into biochar liberated bound P for re-use. • Conversion of biosolids into biochar eliminated metal leaching from biosolids. • Pyrolysis enhances P recycling and reduces metal leaching from municipal waste. - Abstract: In this study, biochar is produced from biosolids with and without alum at a range of temperatures and simulated oxidative aging of the biochars is conducted to quantify the long-term leaching of P and metals. While biosolids containing alum had negligible amounts of plant-available P, after pyrolysis >90% of the P became immediately available for plant growth. When biosolids with no alum were converted into biochar there was a small increase in the availability of P but a larger pool was available after oxidation. Both of the biosolids leached significant amounts of metals after oxidation. In contrast, the biochars had a very low available metal content and this did not increase with oxidation, demonstrating a stable metal content. Pyrolysis is an effective waste management strategy for biosolids that can simultaneously reduce the leaching of metals and increase the efficiency of recycling of P for beneficial re-use.