Biochar: The New Fuel For Your Fire
Scientists are calling a new innovation in organic waste the “black gold” for agriculture. “Biochar” is a charcoal-like substance made from organic waste – raw material from any forest, agricultural or animal waste, such as woodchips, corn husks, peanut shells and chicken manure.
The machine is located on the University of Georgia campus and is operated by a group of scientists working on alternative ways to reuse recycled carbon. Research engineer Brian Bibens explains the machine’s inner-workings to CNN
Because of its high carbon content, Biochar may be the answer to the major energy problems. Photo: Endingcharcoal.wildlifedirect.org
The scientists feed the waste, or “biomass,” into an octagon-shaped metal barrel. The waste is then cooked through a thermochemical process called “pyrolysis” under intense heat that reaches above 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
The organic trash is then converted into a charcoal-like material suitable for fertilizer for farmers. Scientists say the gasses emitted can be utilized to fuel vehicles and power electric generators.
Biochar is considered to be of high value for the environment because of its high carbon content and porous material which acts as a natural carbon sink and helps soil retain water, nutrients, protect soil microbes and eventually increase crop yields.
Biochar is a part ongoing scientific experiments to find solutions to big environmental problems such as energy, food production and climate change.
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David Kunkel
posted on April 1st, 2009 at 11:25 am
This is interesting because I read that indigenous farmers were able to farm the same plot of rainforest earth (typically very nutrient-poor) for generations, by mixing charcoal into the soil. It prevented compaction, reintroduced carbon, and provided a substrate for nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Looks like modern science has caught up with the Stone Age.
John Mikel
posted on April 1st, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Would this process also work on plywood? Could it also be used in fireplaces camp fires instead of wood?
Best Regards,
John
Lori Brown
posted on April 1st, 2009 at 3:39 pm
What a great invention. Not only could it prove useful as a carbon sink, but if made available and affordable (that is key) to developing nations, it could be used as charcoal and decrease the resource depletion associated with the illegal charcoal trade affecting countries like Malawi and DRC.
Jeremie Verdier
posted on April 2nd, 2009 at 1:18 am
That could be really interresting because we get lots of woodchips from the green waste composting process.
Would it be any opportuniy/contact for this market in south east England?
Many thanks,
Jeremie
David Smith
posted on April 2nd, 2009 at 3:54 am
What fuels the fire that cooks it?
Peter
posted on April 3rd, 2009 at 5:27 am
Plant Waste? Since when is it plant waste? Nothing can be considered waste in an ecosystem, the plants decaying are necessary to replenish the nutrients for other plants to grow. Biochar is just another example of how “technology” can save us from the problems created by other technology, nothing is free. Everything we use is at the expense of other things.