Characterization of Tar and Biochar as By-Products of Rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) Pellet Gasification. P. 152–166

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https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2026-5-152-166

Abstract

Gasification of rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) pellets represents a promising pathway for valorizing abundant lignocellulosic biomass into a renewable energy source. In addition to producing synthesis gas (syngas), the process generates by-products such as tar and biochar, which require comprehensive characterization to support process optimization and downstream utilization. The downdraft gasifier was chosen because it produces less tar than other types of gasifiers. This study aims to analyze the chemical composition and characteristics of tar and biochar as by-products of wood pellet gasification of Hevea brasiliensis using a downdraft gasifier. Tar chemical components were analyzed using GC-MS, and biochar characteristics were analyzed using XRD, FTIR, and FE-SEM/EDS. The chemical composition of tar comprises complex compounds, including carboxylic acids, alkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons, and phenols. The FTIR spectrum reveals that biochar is characterized by functional groups associated with oxygenated hydrocarbons, which reflect the structural components of carbohydrates, cellulose, and hemicellulose (C−O, C=O, C−H, C=C, C≡C, and C−N). The XRD pattern shows four diffraction peaks, including two sharp and intense peaks (2θ = 28° and 40°), with the highest crystallinity peak of 71.73 % and a crystal size of 5.47 nm. The biochar structure was analyzed using SEM, revealing scattered pore-like holes and grooves at 1000× magnification, and flakes with pebble-like shapes at 5000×. The chemical elements detected in biochar include carbon, oxygen, aluminium, silicon, potassium, calcium, and iron. The major element is carbon, with an atomic percentage of 80.97 %.

Acknowledgments: The authors sincerely thank the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) for the generous support through the provision of a 20 kW Gasifier and Syngas Generator, granted under Grant Letter No. KIER-2023-05-03-01. This support greatly contributed to the successful completion of this study.

Authors

Wahyu Hidayat^1*, Doctor of Forest Biomaterials Engineering, Prof.; ResearcherID: F-8410-2017, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6015-1623
Fadilla Martha Amelia¹, Postgraduate Student; ResearcherID: OSI-7581-2025, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7500-3825
Hendra Prasetia², Doctor of Science and Engineering, Principal Researcher; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3230-7918
Indra Gumay Febryano¹, Doctor of Forestry, Prof.; ResearcherID: AAW-4454-2021, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7242-656X
Bugae Park³, Head of Research and Development Department; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4626-2351
Agus Haryanto¹, Doctor of Agricultural Engineering, Prof.; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8954-4463

Affiliation

¹University of Lampung, Bandar Lampung, Indonesia; wahyu.hidayat@fp.unila.ac.id*, fadillamarthaa@gmail.com, indra.gumay@fp.unila.ac.id, agus.haryanto@fp.unila.ac.id
²National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), South Lampung, Indonesia; hend051@brin.go.id
³SunBrand Industrial Inc., Jeollanam Province, Republic of Korea; bu2000@hanmail.net

Keywords

tar, biochar, downdraft gasifier, rubberwood pellets, GC-MS, XRD, FTIR, FE-SEM/EDS

For citation

Hidayat W., Amelia F.M., Prasetia H., Febryano I.G., Park B., Haryanto A. Characterization of Tar and Biochar as By-Products of Rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) Pellet Gasification. Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2026, no. 5, pp. 152–166. (In Russ.).
https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2026-5-152-166

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