Nitrogen cycle of effluent-irrigated energy crop Plantations from wastewater treatment to the themochemical conversion processes

Abstract

This paper reviews nitrogen (N) cycle of effluent-irrigated energy crop plantations, starting from waste water treatment to thermo-chemical conversion processes. In waste water, N compounds contribute to eutrophication and toxicity in water cycle.Removal of N via vegetative filters and specifically in short-rotation energy plantations, is a relatively new approach to managing nitrogenous effluents. Though combustion of energy crops is in principle carbon neutral, in practice, N content may contribute to NOx emissions with significant global warming potential. Intermediate pyrolysis produces advanced fuels while reducing such emissions. By operating at intermediate temperature (500°C), it retains most N in char as pyrrolic-N, pyridinic-N, quaternary-Nand amines. In addition, biochar provides long-term sequestration of carbon in soils.