Abstract
The valorization of agricultural residues through thermochemical conversion represents a promising strategy for environmental remediation and sustainable soil management. In this study, the influence of oxidative and anaerobic thermal conditions on the microstructure of biochar produced from cocoa pod husk (Theobroma cacao L.) was investigated. Biochars were obtained via slow thermal conversion using two systems: a laboratory-scale pyrolyzer and an electric muffle furnace, operated at 300 °C and 400 °C. Surface morphology and pore structure were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while quantitative image analysis was performed using OpenCV-based processing to extract morphological parameters such as area, perimeter, aspect ratio, solidity, and equivalent diameter. Anaerobic pyrolysis at 400 °C promoted larger and more uniform porous structures; however, muffle-produced biochars also displayed morphologies suitable for environmental and agricultural applications, representing a viable alternative when access to dedicated pyrolysis systems is limited.
