Stabilized Biochar from Anaerobic Digestion as a Sustainable Strategy for Global Warming Mitigation

The Sultanate of Oman grapples with mounting agricultural waste, particularly palm tree residue, necessitating intervention. This study proposes converting palm waste, specifically Date Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (DPEFB), into eco-friendly products, such as biochar, fertilizers, and methane, to mitigate environmental hazards associated with illegal disposal methods, such as burning. The objectives include extracting lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose from DPEFB, followed by carbonization to produce biochar at varying temperatures. Analytical techniques, including X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, are used to characterize the samples. The results indicate optimal cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose extraction at particle sizes of 250–500 μm, with biochar conversion showing promising results under specific conditions. The study’s significance lies in being the first in Oman to demonstrate the partial anaerobic decomposition of biochar with wastewater and elucidate the roles of extracted samples and biochar. However, the absence of predictive models for biogas production from biochar remains a challenge. Future implementation entails integrating findings with the One Million Palm Tree Project in state of Ibri, utilizing palm residues for fertilizer and clean methane gas production, supplemented by solar energy for sustainability.