Biochar (PA Technology)

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Last modified by Axel Heinemann on 2014-11-10. This is a wiki so please feel free to update information by clicking on "Edit with form". | Printable version

Name of technology example: Type
Biochar
Biochar2.jpg
☐ Energy Efficiency
Renewable Energy
Alternative Methodology
Description Biochar is a name for charcoal when it is used for particular purposes, especially as a soil amendment. Like all charcoal, biochar is created by pyrolysis of biomass. Biochar is under investigation as an approach to carbon sequestration to produce negative carbon dioxide emissions. Biochar thus has the potential to help mitigate climate change, via carbon sequestration. Independently, biochar can increase soil fertility, increase agricultural productivity, and provide protection against some foliar and soil-borne diseases. Furthermore, biochar reduces pressure on forests. Biochar is a stable solid, rich in carbon and can endure in soil for thousands of years.(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biochar)
Technology for the Application of
☐ Solar Biomass Biofuel
☐ Biogas ☐ Wind ☐ Geo-Thermal
☐ Hydro Energy Efficiency
Other: Carbon Sequestration, Soil Amendment
Primarily Relevant for the following Agricultural Value Chain Steps
☐ Mechanization Efficiency of Operation ☐ Processing
☐ Transportation Controlled Atmosphere ☐ Controlled Temperature
☐ Mechanical Sorting ☐ Preservation
☐ Other: /
Primarily Relevant for the following Agricultural Value Chain Activities
☐ Grinding ☐ Hauling and conveying ☐ Sorting
☐ Seedbed Preparation ☐ Milling ☐ Tearing
☐ Planting ☐ Washing ☐ Mixing
☐ Pumping Heating Drying
Irrigation ☐ Cooling ☐ Animal feeding
Fertilizing ☐ Venting ☐ Animal health and Welfare
Pest Management ☐ Lighting ☐ Packing and branding
☐ Cutting ☐ Sanitation
☐ Other: /
Primarily Implemented in the following Commodity Groups
Cereals Fruits and vegetables ☐ Nuts and berries
Forage ☐ Dairy products ☐ Meat products
Oil Seeds Roots and Tubers ☐ Eggs
Pulses Fiber Crops Forestry
Sugars ☐ Stimulants Spices
Other: Any soil grown plants
Region & Country of
Development
Region

☐ Africa
☐ South Asia
☐ East Asia & The Pacific
Europe & Central Asia - Germany
Latin America & The Caribbean - Brazil
☐ Middle East & North Africa
North America - United States of America
☐ N/A: /
Region & Country of
Current Deployment
Region

☐ Africa
☐ South Asia
☐ East Asia & The Pacific
Europe & Central Asia - Germany
☐ Latin America & The Caribbean
☐ Middle East & North Africa
North America -: United States of America
☐ N/A: /
Region & Country of
Potential Deployment
Worldwide

Africa
South Asia
East Asia & The Pacific
Europe & Central Asia
Latin America & The Caribbean
Middle East & North Africa
North America
☐ N/A: /
Manufacturers Supplier of Biochar, Terra Preta etc. from Pyrolysis: http://www.swiss-biochar.com/index-eng.php and manufacturer of Biochar Pyrolysis Plants: http://www.pyreg.de/anlage.html
Economics As fertilizer and improvement of soil, biochar is of inesteemable value, especially, as it is capable to return humus to former desert areas.
Technology Development Level Research and development and first pilot projects;
Required Maintenance Technical Level Medium: Technology can be maintained through its life cycle with uncommon tools and requires moderate training for maintenance;
Required Infrastructure for Deployment Medium: Technology development requires uncommon tools, mid-development level supporting technologies and moderately trained personnel; Establishing collection systems for biomass;
Required Resources during manufacture Metals, plastics; Fabrication chains for Pyrolysis plant itself;
Required Resources during operation Biomass to feed biochar production;
Deployment
Level
Low;
Deployment Capability and Potential Very high;
Requirements for Deployment Implementation of small decentral biochar production facilities, implementation of biomass collection chains and transport routes for biomass and biochar, education of operation staff and staff to apply and implement biochar in agriculture;
Relevance for Autonomy and Food Security Very high, it enables the creation of new high quality agriculture areas and reduces carbondioxide concentration of the atmosphere;
Environment Impacts (emissions) Locally CO2 and heat, but overall negative CO2-emissions possible (carbon sequestration);
Conformity with Bio- Cybernetic System Rules 100%
Additional information / Comments No comments.
Internal Reference
Additional Links

http://www.european-biochar.org/en/

http://www.pyreg.de/technology-en.html

https://practicalaction.org/briquetting

https://practicalaction.org/charcoal-production

http://www.aqsolutions.org/images/2010/06/gasifier-handbook.pdf

http://biocharfarms.org/biochar_production_energy/

http://www.britishbiocharfoundation.org/?page_id=43

http://www.biochar-international.org/

http://www.css.cornell.edu/faculty/lehmann/research/terra%20preta/terrapretasombroek.html http://www.cornell.edu/video/johannes-lehmann-finds-key-to-new-energy-soil-fertility-in-biochar

http://www.geo.uni-tuebingen.de/studium/studentische-initiativen/biochar/history-and-press-review.html#c13440

http://www.ithaka-institut.org/de/ct/8


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI0NvG5EAJg

http://www.bund-bergstrasse.de/themen_und_projekte/terra_preta_schwarzerde/

"Renewable Energy, Alternative Methodology" is not in the list (Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Alternative Methodology) of allowed values for the "PAT Type" property.