[Terrapreta] Char made made under pressurized conditions?

[Sean K. Barry]

Hi Jeff,

This is an interesting idea, because of the free source of cool ammonia-NH3 gas from from off a compost pile.  I wonder what the concentration of ammonia-NH3 in air is?  It is entirely possible that ammonia-NH3 would be absorbed into charcoal, but maybe in the form of a solidified ammonia salt, like ammonium bicarbonate (NH4HCO3), rather than as a gas.  I don't believe NH3 gas reactes with carbon-C atoms on the surface of the charcoal.

Eprida had/has a product called ECOSS which has (I believe) ammonium bicarbonate deposited on the surface of the charcoal (like an M&M candy coating).  Some of their early bags smelled like ammonia when first opened, I heard.  I think making a fertilized with ammonia charcoal product would require some way to "fix" the NH3 molecules onto the charcoal.

Regards,

SKB
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jeff Davis<mailto:jeff0124 at velocity.net> 
  To: Terra Preta<mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org> 
  Sent: Saturday, March 29, 2008 4:21 PM
  Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Char made made under pressurized conditions?


  Dear All,

  I was thinking more on the lines of capturing the lost ammonia gas (etc)
  from the composting pile. If it would be possible to absorb this in the
  cooling period of the charcoal. I know it's a close to zero chance.


  Best regards,


  Jeff




  > Either case, I still doubt that N2 as a reasonably inert gas will do
  > anything - either as a fertilizer or be absorbed into the char.


  -- 
  Jeff Davis

  Some where 20 miles south of Lake Erie, USA

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