Production and use of biochar

Production and use of
biochar
Montag, 25. März 13
Why we are interested in
biochar ?
• Terra Preta shows that biochar is very
stable in soil
• Soils with biochar a very fertile and do not
need fertilizer any more
• There are a lot of possibilities to develop
different products from biochar
Montag, 25. März 13
Experimental results of
Sonnenerde (since 2008):
• 10% biochar additive: Measurable benefits
• C-and N-losses are reduced
• By fermentation (Effective
Microorganisms), no additional benefit
• By combining 10% stone powder + 20%
biochar: convergence of microbiology at TP
• By reducing the pH - no benefits
Montag, 25. März 13
All tests are carried out in practice adequate yardstick
Montag, 25. März 13
To compare the microbiology a genetic fingerprint of each
sample was created
Terra Preta
20% biochar
10% biochar
Without biochar
Evaluation of taxonomic profiles of pseudomonads in composts,
compared with an original Terra Preta
Montag, 25. März 13
Construction and operation of
a Pyreg-plant
• because it can be produced a very high
quality of biochar
• because the emissions are very low
• because the facility was one of the most
developed one
• Interesting scale, affordable
Montag, 25. März 13
Feedstock
paper fiber sludge
grain husks
green wastes
Montag, 25. März 13
The new biochar-plant produce 1-1,5 tons biochar per day
Montag, 25. März 13
In the dryingbox we use the excess energy of the pyrolysisprocess
Montag, 25. März 13
The loading is large enough for the daily requirement of
fuel
Montag, 25. März 13
The charring is a pyreg reactor
In the background is the exhaust heat exchanger
Montag, 25. März 13
I am happy with my biochar
Montag, 25. März 13
Experiences after one year
of operation
• Big step from prototype to continuous
operation
• 6500 hours per year are realistic (75%)
• 300 to biochar per year
• 150 kW heat output
• Ash amount must be reduced
Montag, 25. März 13
Duration of the Pyreg plant as a percentage of total hours
80
60
40
20
0
Montag, 25. März 13
Jän
Feb März April Mai
Juni
Juli
Aug
Sep
Okt Nov Dez
Use of biochar:
• Producing a high fertility Black soil
• Developing a soil-activator
• fixing Nitrogen (preparing manure)
• feeding animals
Montag, 25. März 13
Practical tests in raised beds
Serie „E“
Montag, 25. März 13
Serie „G“
Practical tests with potatos in raised beds
Montag, 25. März 13
Practical tests with potatos in raised beds
< 0% biochar >
0%
Montag, 25. März 13
5%
10%
< 10% biochar >
0%
5%
10%
< 20% biochar >
0%
5%
10%
stonepowder
Praxisversuche Kartoffel unter Heumulch
Montag, 25. März 13
Practical tests with carrots and onions in raised beds
Montag, 25. März 13
< 0% biochar >
< 10% biochar >
< 20% biochar >
8,0
8,0
8,0
7,0
6,0
7,0
6,0
7,0
6,0
pH
Practical tests with carrots and onions in raised beds
< 0% biochar >
8,0
Montag, 25. März 13
7,0
6,0
< 10% biochar >
< 20% biochar >
8,0
8,0
7,0
6,0
7,0
6,0
pH
Practical tests with carrots and onions in raised beds
< 10% biochar >
< 0% biochar >
< 20% biochar >
8,0
Montag, 25. März 13
7,0
6,0
8,0
7,0
6,0
8,0
7,0
6,0
pH
Practical tests with carrots and onions in raised beds
< 20% biochar >
< 10% biochar >
< 0% biochar >
8,0
Montag, 25. März 13
7,0
6,0
8,0
7,0
6,0
8,0
7,0
6,0
pH
Practical tests with carrots and onions in raised beds
Montag, 25. März 13
< 0% biochar >
< 10% biochar >
< 20% biochar >
8,0
8,0
8,0
7,0
6,0
7,0
6,0
7,0
6,0
pH
Practical tests with carrots and onions in raised beds
Montag, 25. März 13
< 0% biochar >
< 10% biochar >
< 20% biochar >
8,0
8,0
8,0
7,0
6,0
7,0
6,0
7,0
6,0
pH
Practical tests with carrots and onions in raised beds
Montag, 25. März 13
< 0% biochar >
< 10% biochar >
< 20% biochar >
8,0
8,0
8,0
7,0
6,0
7,0
6,0
7,0
6,0
pH
Plot trials with biochar-composts
Montag, 25. März 13
Plot trials with biochar-composts
Montag, 25. März 13
The aim of the soilactivator:
• initiate a kind of Terra Preta effect
(increasing carbon content itself)
• stabilize a higher humus level
• stabilize / increase harvest
Montag, 25. März 13
How you get a soilactivator
from biochar
• Enrichment with nitrogen
• Enrichment with Mo, Se, Co
• Enrichment with humus-building microorg.
• Enrichment with N-binding microorganisms
Montag, 25. März 13
Addition of trace elements to develop a soil-activator
Montag, 25. März 13
Mixing biochar, compost, nitrogen and trace elements
with our oldest (and best) converting machine
Montag, 25. März 13
Summary
• Our biochar plant works continiously
• We can produce different kinds of biochar
• We try to develop different products from
and with biochar
• There is a big market for biochar products
Montag, 25. März 13
Thanks for your attention
Montag, 25. März 13