[Terrapreta] Wood Char Available

[Tom Miles]

Thomas,
 
Some members of this discussion should be interested in using large
quantities.
 
Can you help us understand the capabilites of existing charcoal producers? I
have the impression that the horticultural market is one that is
underdeveloped from a bulk delivery point of view. 
 
How do you deliver char for bulk or wholesale distribution today? Bulk? By
the 20/40 lb bag only? By bigbag /superbag? Do you have customers who are
buying charcoal in bulk? Nurseries? Crop farmers? Or has agriculture
primarily been buying activated carbon for uses like carbon banding,
chemical absorption etc. 
 
What is a truckload? Is this a truckload of bagged charcoal on pallets? How
much charcoal can be delivered in a truckload? How far can you haul charcoal
economically? 200 miles?
 
Product characteristics. I assume that you make charcoal from both hardwoods
and softwoods. Do you differentiate betwen species or does it all go in
together? Do you use a charcoal grading scheme? What is the grading
criteria? Is charcoal in the US tested for volatiles? Is that part of the
grading? Are there ASTM standards or industry products standards? Are there
EPA (NPDES) regulations that apply to charcoal composition or
characteristics for land application?
 
A general question: if we are able to raise the awareness (and knowledge) of
charcoal use in agriculture, horticulture, landscaping etc. what is the
capacity of the existing US industry to suppy demand? How quickly could the
industry meet increased demand? Is there a minimum practical size
(tons/year) for a charcoal production facility?
 
Many thanks
 
Tom Miles
 


  _____  

From: terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org
[mailto:terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of
thomas.beer at clorox.com
Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2007 7:34 AM
To: terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
Subject: [Terrapreta] Wood Char Available



To TerraPreta Discussion Group: 
I've been following the discussion on here for a while now. If you folks
have an idea of the amount of char volume that you are needing, I may be
able to help you in obtaining truckload quantities. 
Just send me an email and I'll be in touch. 
Also, I have many years experience in the chemical engineering around
industrial pyrolysis of wood and biomass, the equipment available, what is
generally used, what is being researched, as well as the attributes of chars
and how they are affected by pyrolysis operating conditions. Let me know if
you need anything specific. 

Thomas Beer
Manufacturing Technology
Clorox Services Company
3900 Kennesaw 75 Parkway, Suite 100
Kennesaw, GA   30144
770-426-2419
770-426-2428- FAX
770-364-1079- Cell
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