[Terrapreta] Char made made under pressurized conditions?

[Greg and April]

Let's put it this way, I keep wondering what the effect of some pressure 
cooking of the wood, **before** charring, would be.

Would it break down the cell walls of the wood creating a more pours 
charcoal?


Greg H.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Yarrow" <dyarrow at nycap.rr.com>
To: "Terra Preta" <terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>
Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2008 13:39
Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Char made made under pressurized conditions?


>i am encouraged by the imagery of hot steam forcing water vapors deep into
> the dense networks of micropores in charcoal.  a steam treatment should
> rapidly reduce char's initial resistance to absorbing water.  might even
> induce a few explosions and ruptures to the cellular celluose matrix of
> micropores -- ripping open larger channels for macroscopic lifeforms to 
> join
> the community.
>
> and since i'm most certainly making my char for soil enhancement, i
> definitely intend to quench my first 2008 batch of hot char with sea 
> water.
> not just water, but sea water, to inject a full spectrum mineral solution
> into the char, and thus improve its potential as microbial habitat.  the
> sooner microbes find water and a full menu of minerals, the sooner they 
> will
> take up residence in the char.
>
> for a green & peaceful planet,
> David Yarrow
> 44 Gilligan Rd, E Greenbush, NY 12061
> www.championtrees.org
> www.OnondagaLakePeaceFestival.org
> www.farmandfood.org
> www.SeaAgri.