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

[Mark Ludlow]

Hi Robert,

 

The wholesale effect of increased levels of CO2 on plant growth seems to be
assumed by many people. Some on this List have suggested that it's not as
simple as it seems; other conditions such as the availability of necessary
(micro)nutrients are also critical.

 

I would guess that most plant species are adapted to present levels of CO2
and huge spikes (such as pumping CO2-rich gas into a greenhouse) may not map
linearly onto increased  photosynthetic activity. Are there data that
support the value of significant increases of atmospheric CO2 for growth
stimulation? I wonder if we may need to consider all of the systems
affected, including the environmental requirements of soil microbes?

 

Mark

 

 

From: terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org
[mailto:terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of Robert Klein
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 11:14 PM
To: Michael Bailes
Cc: terra pretta group
Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Promoting biochar in an era of high food prices

 

It is possible to make a very compelling argument that all waste streams
should be heated to about 600 degrees which removes all the carbon.  The
problem is that historic burning methods did not control the temperature
producing lousy results.  So the perception is awful

Right now I can build an effective system for any urban waste stream that
will only put CO2 into the atmosphere or better still the greenhouse next
door.  The question is how to actually make a sustainable business out of it
without incurring a massive public relations expense for every order.

The solution is great and cheap, it just needs a billion dollar ad campaign
which will make it prohibitively expensive.  Which is why we did not build
nuclear power reactors for thirty years or so.  What happened to good old
American knowhow?

bob

----- Original Message ----
From: Michael Bailes <michaelangelica at gmail.com>
To: terra pretta group <terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2008 6:53:39 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> 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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