[Terrapreta] Char hydration

[David Yarrow]

exactly.  pressure + temperature + water = steam.  

seems to me the ideal soil prep process for char is quite similar to the charcoal activation proces by steam treatment.  and the idea time to apply water and generate steam pressures to fracture and open the char is fresh and hot out of a retort or burner.  gently douse the hot char with a fine spray of water as it is stirred, and you will quickly have moist, activated char.  i expect this requires a relatively fine mist to slowly saturate the char with water and steam, and gradually (not suddenly) lowering the temperature.

and once char temperature falls into the biologic range, you can switch from water spray (or better yet, dilute sea mineral solution spray) to innoculation with EM, compost tea, BD preps, bacterial cultures, VAM, castings, or whatever....

i expect in nature, or in slash-n-char, burning green wood and brush produces a lot of steam as plant sap and cells boil off.

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.com
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Brian Hans 
  To: Greg and April 
  Cc: terrapreta at bioenergylists.org 
  Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:33 AM
  Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Char hydration


  Adding pressure (and temp) to the system, once could more quickly hydrate carbon by forcing 'liquid stuff' into the porous nooks and crannies that is charcoal. 
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