[Terrapreta] challenges for the future of TP

[Sean K. Barry]

Correction: 2CH2 + 2O2 => 1CO2 + 2H2O  should have read CH2O + O2 => CO2 + H2O, I think.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Sean K. Barry<mailto:sean.barry at juno.com> 
  To: MMBTUPR at aol.com<mailto:MMBTUPR at aol.com> 
  Cc: terrapreta<mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org> 
  Sent: Friday, December 14, 2007 9:20 PM
  Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] challenges for the future of TP


   
  Hi Lewis,

  You know,  that is one of the nicest things about standards, ... there are so many to choose from.  There is a test for "proximate analysis" of charcoal, ASTM D1762.  It gives you the %moisture, $volatile matter, %ash, and %fixed carbon in a charcoal sample.  However, there is no test that determines a chemical analysis (or the repspective ratios) of the multiple different compounds potentially in "volatile matter".

  Processes for pyrolysis of biomass can be monitored for things like core temperature of the gas, exit temperature of the gas (biomass/char particle temperatures are inferred), residence time of the feedstock and or charcoal, gas analysis and flow, a lambda factor (related to the stoichiometric of the 2CH2 + 2O2 => 1CO2 + 2H2O component of the pyrolysis reaction), etc.

  These measurements can mostly help you control the relative yields of the pyrolysis reaction products (in mass, btu, and or volume); non-condensable fuel gases + combustion product gases + volatile matter (tars, liquids, solids) + inert gases, soot (solid carbon), heat, charcoal, and ash.  The economics of charcoal production also include feedstock material and delivery costs.  Using charcoal for soils management may require soil analysis costs, charcoal and other product delivery costs, and soil application costs.

  Tying the measurable characteristics of charcoal to a "best practice" methodology for use as a soil amendment (Terra Preta style) has not been done yet.  It will likely require much field testing.  It could involve ingredients and/or mixtures with, or other than charcoal alone.
  I might need to be tailored recipes, fine-tune for local soils.

  Regards,

  SKB
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