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

[Sean K. Barry]

Hi Michael,

One would think that you could get charcoal certified for use in soil, if it were manufactured in a "Clean Charcoal" process.  You are right, I think, too that the more efficient and clean charcoal making processes will harvest more than just charcoal from the biomass feedstock, mainly charcoal, combustible gases (H2, CO, and CH4, C2H6, etc), heat, and some liquid fraction, perhaps.  The suspended , vaporous volatile matter is combustible, as well, and can be burned directly with the combustible gases.  Getting these other co-products from biomass, beyond charcoal, is what would, I think, make charcoal production more economical and viable.

For a long time ethanol plants have been selling dried distiller grains, the non-fermentable (proteins in the germ or kernel of the grains used in fermentation) fraction of the feedstock as food for cattle.  The anaerobic digesters, which harvest Methane-CH4 from decomposing animal feces and other waste biomass, produce the Methane-CH4 gas, heat, and another product (what is left over) that is used as animal bedding.

I do think that there will be pyrolysis processes (and perhaps other carbonization methods) that will harvest a great deal more from biomass then can be got from a smoldering pile of biomass in an open pit, open field, or a barrel.

Regards,

SKB
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Michael Bailes<mailto:michaelangelica at gmail.com> 
  To: terra pretta group<mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org> 
  Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2008 8:53 PM
  Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Promoting biochar in an era of high food prices


  I can't see the need for pryolosis of anything but waste at this point in time
  Certainly that is the "marketing strategy" of BEST Energies, to sell their units to Companies with large waste streams that would otherwise end up in landfill- producing methane.

  Pyrolysis is not a traditional incinerator. A good pyrolysis system captures most everything gasses, water, energy, charcoal.
  I guess one of the problems with getting TP and char accepted, is this confusion with traditional burning of waste.

  It is so counter-intuitive to think we can save a warming planet by burning things.

  Personally I would like to see all charcoal produced by pyrolysis. What worries me is  home made bonfires made popular by our discussions of the benefits of char in soil.
  Michael B


  On 17/04/2008, Ron Larson <rongretlarson at comcast.net<mailto:rongretlarson at comcast.net>> wrote: 
    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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  -- 
  Michael the Archangel
  How strange and sad for the species - have people forgotten that they can always escape to the fairy dell and talk to the ducks?
  -Leunig, 2008 _______________________________________________
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