[Terrapreta] Terrapreta Digest, Vol 7, Issue 7

rjabele rjabele at sprintmail.com
Fri Aug 3 10:38:32 EDT 2007


Robert,

Interesting you mentioned the solid acid nature 
of bio-char.  I used my prototype gasifier to 
make bio-char from wood shavings, hardwood pellets and cocoa shells.

The soil in our area of Northern Illinois 
contains a type of limestone which makes the soil very alkaline pH of 8.0+/-.

We added about 10-15% bio-char by volume when we tilled my daughters garden.

We also added the bio-char around the 40 ft 
mature white oak which the Ag extension diagnosed 
as having chlorosis (lack of iron and nitrogen) 
around the perimeter of the tree.

Garden and tree doing extremely well and the 
bio-char appears to greatly improve the tilth of the soil too.

Please let us know if you have any papers on the subject.

Best regards,

Bob Abele
Effective Energy



At 04:41 PM 8/2/2007, you wrote:

>Send Terrapreta mailing list submissions to
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>
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> 
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>When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>than "Re: Contents of Terrapreta digest..."
>
>Today's Topics:
>
>    1. Solid Crystalline Acids  and activated Charcoal (Robert Klein)
>    2. Re: Eprida bio-char available (Allan Balliett)
>       (Gerald Van Koeverden)
>
>From: Robert Klein <arclein at yahoo.com>
>Precedence: list
>MIME-Version: 1.0
>To: terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
>Date: Thu, 2 Aug 2007 13:58:31 -0700 (PDT)
>Message-ID: <447009.5403.qm at web60221.mail.yahoo.com>
>Subject: [Terrapreta] Solid Crystalline Acids  and activated Charcoal
>Message: 1
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1; x-avg-checked=avg-ok-651B7D0D
>Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
>
>I posted this today on my blog:
>
>http://globalwarming-arclein.blogspot.com/2007/08/solid-crystalline-acids.html
>
>I also have commented heavily over the past several
>days on terra preta.
>
>regards
>
>bob
>
>
>
>
>____________________________________________________________________________________Ready 
>for the edge of your seat?
>Check out tonight's top picks on Yahoo! TV.
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>
>
>From: Gerald Van Koeverden <vnkvrdn at yahoo.ca>
>Precedence: list
>MIME-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v752.3)
>Cc: terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
>To: "Rebecca Oglesby" <rebecca.oglesby at gmail.com>
>References: <66f6c3270708020903t62e1d8a3jd6f8a875fd28c3d4 at mail.gmail.com>
>In-Reply-To: <66f6c3270708020903t62e1d8a3jd6f8a875fd28c3d4 at mail.gmail.com>
>Date: Thu, 2 Aug 2007 17:41:21 -0400
>Message-ID: <BBA90329-6843-46ED-A153-1A1305211FFD at yahoo.ca>
>Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Eprida bio-char available (Allan Balliett)
>Message: 2
>Content-Type: multipart/alternative; 
>boundary=Apple-Mail-1--522232425; x-avg-checked=avg-ok-651B7D0D
>
>We just got in a load of 6-month old char and it isn't heating up at all.
>
>As far as handling fresh stuff, it might have to 
>be moistened and kept that way until mixed with 
>the soil.   Or dry, it has to be incorporated 
>quickly (within an hour or two of leaving the 
>plant) for example into a pig manure pit within 
>which it can be stirred and mixed.  Then, in the 
>fall or spring,  it can be applied directly to 
>the soil - already 'nutrified' - with the normal 
>manure spreader and disced into the top-soil.
>
>Another detail in shipping: this stuff is 
>not  flowable.  It packs.  It will settle and 
>hang-up inside the truck dump box.
>
>It's a steep learning curve, but we are enjoying 
>the challenges of working through it.
>
>Gerrit
>
>
>
>On 2-Aug-07, at 12:03 PM, Rebecca Oglesby wrote:
>
>>Hopefully I can clear up some questions you might have about Eprida Biochar.
>>
>>The pyrolysis unit we have is a continuous feed 
>>system with a residence time of about 12-15 
>>minutes. The biomass is slowly moved through 
>>the vessel (which is essentially oxygen free) 
>>at a "lower" temperature (at or below 500 
>>degrees C) and falls out as charcoal. What 
>>makes our process unique is that we use steam 
>>as a sweep gas and convert the steam and smoke into a hydrogen syn-gas.
>>
>>Our "pilot unit" is one of a kind and requires 
>>24 hours operation. Also, its small when 
>>compared to industry standards, with a 
>>throughput of 18 - 22 kilograms/hour. The char 
>>typically weighs 30% of the weight of the 
>>biomass input. Fresh out of the machine, the 
>>char is highHnkx¢ ly reactive but we have found 
>>that this declines over time. We learned real 
>>quick that a 5 gallon plastic bucket does not 
>>work as a temporary storage container for day-old char!
>>
>>The unit was built for research purposes and 
>>therefore creates char in a highly controlled 
>>environment. The hi-tech monitoring devices 
>>supply us with a large amount of data, enabling 
>>us to characterize the char and use it for scientific purposes.
>>
>>Don't worry, we are working on the market 
>>availability and if all goes well, putting 
>>charcoal in the soil will be as natural as using compost!
>>
>>~Rebecca
>>
>>On 8/1/07, 
>><mailto:terrapreta-request at bioenergylists.org>terrapreta-request at bioenergylists.org 
>><<mailto:terrapreta-request at bioenergylists.org>terrapreta-request at bioenergylists.org  
>> > wrote:
>>Send Terrapreta mailing list submissions to
>>         <mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
>>To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>> 
>><http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/biochar/>http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/biochar/ 
>>
>>or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>> 
>><mailto:terrapreta-request at bioenergylists.org>terrapreta-request at bioenergylists.org
>>You can reach the person managing the list at
>> 
>><mailto:terrapreta-owner at bioenergylists.org>terrapreta-owner at bioenergylists.org
>>When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>>than "Re: Contents of Terrapreta digest..."
>>
>>Today's Topics:
>>    1. Re: Eprida bio-char available (Allan Balliett)
>>    2. Re: Solution for your aphids (Richard Haard)
>>    3. Re: Eprida bio-char available (Gerald VaHnkx¢ n Koeverden)
>>    4. Re: Eprida bio-char available (Allan Balliett)
>>    5. Re: Eprida bio-char available (Gerald Van Koeverden)
>>
>>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>Message: 1
>>Date: Wed, 1 Aug 2007 07:00:08 -0400
>>From: Allan Balliett < 
>><mailto:aballiett at frontiernet.net>aballiett at frontiernet.net>
>>Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Eprida bio-char available
>>To: "Tom Miles" 
>><<mailto:tmiles at trmiles.com>tmiles at trmiles.com > 
>>, <mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
>>Message-ID: <p062309c2c2d617790f18@[<http://192.168.254.4>192.168.254.4]>
>>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"
>>I remain confused as to why pyrolysis char is in such short supply.
>>It was my impression that 50% of the inputs are available as char
>>after the process.
>>I guess what I'm missing is the size of the chambers and the length
>>of the process.
>>Can someone (Danny Day?) bring me up to speed on this?
>>Also, anyone know anything about the chicken 
>>manure pyrolysis operation in VA?
>>Thanks
>>-Allan Balliett
>>
>>
>>------------------------------
>>Message: 2
>>Date: Wed, 1 Aug 2007 05:54:18 -0700
>>From: Richard Haard <<mailto:richrd at nas.com>richrd at nas.com>
>>Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Solution for your aphids
>>To: Robert Flanagan < <mailto:agrisonic at gmail.com>agrisonic at gmail.com>
>>Cc: <mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
>>Message-ID: 
>><<mailto:A7DF7B95-4F05-4287-A995-7391149C0B01 at nas.com> 
>>A7DF7B95-4F05-4287-A995-7391149C0B01 at nas.com>
>>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>When I was a kid mom had me collect cigarette butts and put in a jar
>>of water. With the solution that came off and a little soapy water
>>took care of the aphids on the rose bushes. No problem.
>>Thinking back aHnkx¢ bout it I think she was giving me subtile non smoking
>>advice.
>>Rich
>>On Jul 31, 2007, at 9:57 PM, Robert Flanagan wrote:
>> > Hi Len,
>> >
>> > I remember reading in Peter Tompkins "Secrets of the soil" about
>> > Machelle Wright solving this problem by growing "Costmary" as a
>> > sacrificial plant beside her rose bushes to solve her aphid
>> > problem. Not sure if that herb grows in your area but the idea
>> > still seems to have good merit.
>> >
>> > Regards,
>> > Rob.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > On 7/31/07, Len Walde 
>> <<mailto:sigma at ix.netcom.com> sigma at ix.netcom.com> wrote:
>> > Gerald:
>> >
>> > Thanks for the wood vinegar information.  One question:  How does
>> > it work on
>> > aphids? A real problem for me.  Anyone else know?
>> >
>> > Many thanks,
>> >
>> > Len Walde
>> >
>> >
>> > ----- Original Message -----
>> > From: "Gerald Van Koeverden" <<mailto:vnkvrdn at yahoo.ca>vnkvrdn at yahoo.ca>
>> > To: "Jeff Davis" < <mailto:jeff0124 at velocity.net>jeff0124 at velocity.net>
>> > Cc: < 
>> <mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>
>> > Sent: Monday, July 30, 2007 9:12 PM
>> > Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Wood vinegar pesticide
>> >
>> >
>> > > I've translated some of the pesticide uses of wood vinegar from the
>> > > Thai language on the A.T.A. web site:
>> > >
>> > > 1.  for fungus (mildew?) on tomatoes and cucumbers, spray at a
>> > > concentration of 1:200
>> > > 2.  for tomato root rot, water base of plant at concentration of
>> > 1:200
>> > > 3. for cabbage, to repel insects, use concentration of 1:1500 in
>> > > watering can
>> > > 4. for corn, to repel insects, spray 1:300 concentration
>> > >
>> > > Gerrit
>> > >
>> > > On 30-Jul-07, at 11:33 PM, Jeff Davis wrote:
>> > >
>> > >> Robert wrote:
>> > >>Hnkx¢ > Another product that is a bi-product of charcoal production
>> > that  is
>> > >>> said
>> > >>> to  work as an effective pesticide is bamboo vinegar (Liquid
>> > smoke).
>> > >>
>> > >> Robert, I was thinking about that. My Gas-of-Fire produces
>> > >> something like  that and I was considering giving that a try. I
>> > bet just
>> > >> the smell
>> > >> would  do the trick.
>> > >>
>> > >> Hmmmmm, so with the correct gasifier we can produce a gas fuel to
>> > >> heat our  green house (well, maybe I need one), charcoal for
>> > Terra Preta
>> > >> and
>> > >> now a  pesticide!
>> > >>
>> > >>
>> > >> I hope this all works out!!!!
>> > >>
>> > >>
>> > >>
>> > >> Jeff
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Terrapreta mailing list
>> > <mailto:Terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>Terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
>> > http://bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/
>> > terrapreta_bioenergylists.org
>> > 
>> <http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org>http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org
>> > http://info.bioenergylists.org
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Terrapreta mailing list
>> > <mailto:Terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>Terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
>> > http://bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/
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>> <http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org>http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org
>> > http://info.bioenergylists.org
>>-------------- next part --------------
>>An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
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>>s.org/attachments/20070801/a6c45636/attachment-0001.html
>>------------------------------
>>Message: 3
>>Date: Wed, 1 Aug 2007 10:33:37 -0400
>>From: Gerald Van Koeverden <<mailto:vnkvrdn at yahoo.ca>vnkvrdn at yahoo.ca>
>>Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Eprida bio-char available
>>To: Allan Balliett 
>><<mailto:aballiett at frontiernet.net>aballiett at frontiernet.net>
>>Cc: <mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
>>Message-ID: 
>><<mailto:4C23B807-3478-4E10-9FFD-F0EB2DBE2C82 at yahoo.ca> 
>>4C23B807-3478-4E10-9FFD-F0EB2DBE2C82 at yahoo.ca>
>>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed
>>Allan,
>>In the pyrolysis process using wood waste products for producing bio-
>>oil, char output comes to about 18% of the input.  But there's a
>>little problem with shipping and storing the stuff : it's pyrogenic.
>>It will start burning spontaneously on exposure to air.
>>Gerrit
>>
>>On 1-Aug-07, at 7:00 AM, Allan Balliett wrote:
>> > I remain confused as to why pyrolysis char is in such short supply.
>> >
>> > It was my impression that 50% of the inputs are available as char
>> > after the process.
>> >
>> > I guess what I'm missing is the size of the chambers and the length
>> > of the process.
>> >
>> > Can someone (Danny Day?) bring me up to speed on this?
>> >
>> > Also, anyone know anything about the chicken manure pyrolysis
>> > operation in VA?
>> >
>> > Thanks
>> >
>> > -Allan Balliett
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Terrapreta mailing list
>> > <mailto:Terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>Terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
>> > http://bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/
>> > terrapreta_bioenergylists.org
>> > 
>> <http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org>http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org
>> > http://info.bioenergylists.org
>>
>>
>>
>>------------------------------
>>Message: 4
>>Date: Wed, 1 Aug 2007 10:40:51 -0400
>>From: Allan Balliett 
>><<mailto:aballiett at frontiernet.net>aballiett at frontiernet.net >
>>Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Eprida bio-char available
>>To: <mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
>>Cc: <mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
>>Message-ID: <p062309cbc2d64b9b4715@[<http://192.168.254.4>192.168.254.4]>
>>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"
>>MAN! Do tell me more, since I clearly am under informed!
>>How long of a process is it, to take a pile of wood and and reduce it
>>to self-igniting bio-char? Does it smolder for DAYS, WEEKS?
>>-Allan
>>At 10:33 AM -0400 8/1/07, Gerald Van Koeverden wrote:
>> >Allan,
>> >
>> >In the pyrolysis process using wood waste products for producing
>> >bio-oil, char output comes to about 18% of the input.  But there's a
>> >little problem with shipping and storing the stuff : it's
>> >pyrogenic.
>> >It will start burning spontaneously on exposure to air.
>> >
>> >Gerrit
>> >
>> >
>> >On 1-Aug-07, at 7:00 AM, Allan Balliett wrote:
>> >
>> >>I remain confused as to why pyrolysis char is in such short supply.
>> >>
>> >>It was my impression that 50% of the inputs are available as char
>> >>after the process.
>> >>
>> >>I guess what I'm missing is the size of the chambers and the length
>> >>of the process.
>> >>
>> >>Can someone (Danny Day?) bring me up to speed on this?
>> >>
>> >>Also, anyone know anything about the chicken manure pyrolysis
>> >>operation in VA?
>> >>
>> >>Thanks
>> >>
>> >>-Allan Balliett
>> >>
>> >>_______________________________________________
>> >>Terrapreta mailing Hnkx¢ list
>> >><mailto:Terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>Terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
>> >>http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/biochar/
>> >> http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org
>> >><http://info.bioenergylists.org>http://info.bioenergylists.org
>>
>>
>>------------------------------
>>Message: 5
>>Date: Wed, 1 Aug 2007 11:36:06 -0400
>>From: Gerald Van Koeverden <<mailto:vnkvrdn at yahoo.ca>vnkvrdn at yahoo.ca>
>>Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Eprida bio-char available
>>To: Allan Balliett 
>><<mailto:aballiett at frontiernet.net>aballiett at frontiernet.net >
>>Cc: <mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
>>Message-ID: 
>><<mailto:9F7269DC-EA8F-4801-B467-15E8169807B7 at yahoo.ca>9F7269DC-EA8F-4801-B467-15E8169807B7 at yahoo.ca  
>> >
>>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed
>>Allan,
>>I'm not an expert.  I just know that this is what is produced locally.
>>Different processes using different temperatures depending on what
>>they hope to get out of, and you get different types of char...
>>This particular process is extremely quick.   The milled wood waste
>>spends less than two seconds in the pyrolysis chamber.  Basically, it
>>is almost instantly 'melted' into oil (40% of the input weight), char
>>(18%) and the rest is gases.  The gases are recycled back into the
>>system to provide the correct heat (approx 400-500C) for the
>>pyrolysis chamber.
>>Gerrit
>>
>>On 1-Aug-07, at 10:40 AM, Allan Balliett wrote:
>> > MAN! Do tell me more, since I clearly am under informed!
>> >
>> > How long of a process is it, to take a pile of wood and and reduce it
>> > to self-igniting bio-char? Does it smolder for DAYS, WEEKS?
>> >
>> > -Allan
>>&gHnkx¢ t;
>> > At 10:33 AM -0400 8/1/07, Gerald Van Koeverden wrote:
>> >> Allan,
>> >>
>> >> In the pyrolysis process using wood waste products for producing
>> >> bio-oil, char output comes to about 18% of the input.  But there's a
>> >> little problem with shipping and storing the stuff : it's
>> >> pyrogenic.
>> >> It will start burning spontaneously on exposure to air.
>> >>
>> >> Gerrit
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> On 1-Aug-07, at 7:00 AM, Allan Balliett wrote:
>> >>
>> >>> I remain confused as to why pyrolysis char is in such short supply.
>> >>>
>> >>> It was my impression that 50% of the inputs are available as char
>> >>> after the process.
>> >>>
>> >>> I guess what I'm missing is the size of the chambers and the length
>> >>> of the process.
>> >>>
>> >>> Can someone (Danny Day?) bring me up to speed on this?
>> >>>
>> >>> Also, anyone know anything about the chicken manure pyrolysis
>> >>> operation in VA?
>> >>>
>> >>> Thanks
>> >>>
>> >>> -Allan Balliett
>> >>>
>> >>> _______________________________________________
>> >>> Terrapreta mailing list
>> >>> <mailto:Terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>Terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
>> >>> http://bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/
>> >>> terrapreta_bioenergylists.org
>> >>> 
>> <http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org>http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org
>> >>> http://info.bioenergylists.org
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Terrapreta mailing list
>> > <mailto:Terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>Terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
>> > http://bioenergylists.orgHnkx¢ /mailman/listinfo/
>> > terrapreta_bioenergylists.org
>> > 
>> <http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org>http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org
>> > http://info.bioenergylists.org
>>
>>
>>
>>------------------------------
>>_______________________________________________
>>Terrapreta mailing list
>><mailto:Terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>Terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
>>http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/biochar/
>>End of Terrapreta Digest, Vol 7, Issue 2
>>****************************************
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>--
>>Eprida, Inc
>>1151 E. Whitehall Rd.
>>Athens, GA 30605
>>(706) 316 - 1765 ext 645
>><http://www.eprida.com>http://www.eprida.com
>>_______________________________________________
>>Terrapreta mailing list
>><mailto:Terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>Terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
>>http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/biochar/
>><http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org>http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org
>>http://info.bioenergylists.org
>
>
>_______________________________________________
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