[Terrapreta] Promoting biochar in an era of high food prices

[Michael Antal]

Ron: we have had some positive results with RDF (i.e. refuse derived fuel).
As you know, RDF has a highly variable composition and moisture content;
hence a few positive results are not enough for any public announcement.  If
we obtain additional industrial support for our Flash Carbonization work, we
shall be able the supply the kind of statistics and deep knowledge that you
seek.  As I mentioned in a previous posting, we will be presenting our
results with sewage sludge at the next annual meeting of the AIChE in
Philadelphia.  These results will also be published.  Thanks for your
interest, Michael.  

 

Michael J. Antal, Jr.

Coral Industries Distinguished Professor of Renewable Energy Resources

Hawaii Natural Energy Institute

POST 109, 1680 East-West Rd.

Honolulu, HI 96822

 

phone: 808/956-7267

fax: 808/956-2336

www.hnei.hawaii.edu

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From: Ron Larson [mailto:rongretlarson at comcast.net] 
Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2008 2:40 AM
To: Michael Bailes; Biopact; terra pretta group; Mike Antal
Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Promoting biochar in an era of high food prices

 

Michael and Michael:

 

    Today Michael B. said re the potential for biochar (after supporting its
use for increased food production): "Yes not just productivity, but also the
waste stream of our economies/societies being turned into energy/biofuel."

 

    I agree with his statement on this additional value, need and potential
for biochar - but believe we have a bigger hurdle in pyrolyzing Municipal
Solid Waste (MSW) than for any other form of biomass.  No one wants an
incinerator near them.  I do not recall discussion on this list on this
''negative reaction'' topic.

 

    Mike Antal seems to have overcome this hurdle in at least Hawaii.   Mike
(or anyone else) - can you tell us more of your experiences in this area?
Any statistics or data on why pyrolysis rather than land-filling is a good
idea overall?   

 

    For background purposes, I lived for several months in northern Sweden
where one town (either Falun or Borlange) saved up (in plastic wrapped
"bales") all its summertime (household and industrial both probably) refuse
for combustion (not pyrolysis) for district heating during the winter.
There was mandatory separation and recycling of everything possible - and
presumably looking  especially for anything hazardous.  

 

    I can believe there are many European cities that are ready to try
pyrolysis - but think it will have a tough path getting started in the US.
Anyone able to offer a more positive view?  I am looking for data to try to
push the idea where we can.  Where MSW combustion is already occurring,
switching to pyrolysis should not be that hard.

 

Ron


MA/B 

 


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