Open Source Ecology - User contributions [en]

Talk:BioCharlie

2025-11-12T16:54:51Z

Rasmus:

Stumbled upon this when looking for something else. Neat! Need to read up on if to vented the gases or not, how it holds up compared to a paint can etc and and all that

Seems like the group making it may be defunct as the link to their page isn’t working though :(

--[[User:Eric|Eric]] ([[User talk:Eric|talk]]) 15:48, 12 November 2025 (UTC)

It will vent the gases into the fire. Probably longer-lasting than a paint can. This was a small operation (I met father-daughter team at an event in NYS at Finger Lakes Biochar in 2017 where I took the picture).

--[[User:Rasmus|Rasmus]] ([[User talk:Rasmus|talk]]) 16:54, 12 November 2025 (UTC)

Talk:BioCharlie

2025-11-12T16:54:38Z

Rasmus:

Stumbled upon this when looking for something else. Neat! Need to read up on if to vented the gases or not, how it holds up compared to a paint can etc and and all that

Seems like the group making it may be defunct as the link to their page isn’t working though :(

--[[User:Eric|Eric]] ([[User talk:Eric|talk]]) 15:48, 12 November 2025 (UTC)

It will vent the gases into the fire. Probably longer-lasting than a paint can. This was a small operation (I met father-daughter team at an event in NYS at Finger Lakes Biochar in 2017 where I took the picture).
--[[User:Rasmus|Rasmus]] ([[User talk:Rasmus|talk]]) 16:54, 12 November 2025 (UTC)

Compressed Air

2018-05-16T18:04:08Z

Rasmus: link added: Ditch the Batteries: Off-Grid Compressed Air Energy Storage

[[File:AirCompressorWalton.jpg|6400px|thumb|right|Steam powered air compressor (at Walton Colliery). This magnificent machine was at one end of this colliery's power house. It was an inverted vertical compound steam engine with the steam cylinders direct coupled to two stage compressor cylinders below. It was built by Belliss & Morcom of Birmingham in 1922. The steam cylinders were 23" & 33" x 17" and it developed 715 indicated horsepower at 250 rpm. The steam pressure is thought to have been 150 psi. It was disused by 1977 and scrapped in 1982 following the closure of the colliery.]]

Compressed air is one of the basic utilities, next to water, electricity and gas. In some situations, it can replace these other utilities, providing flexibility (see product ecology, below). It could be generated by small wind installations which are mechanically coupled to air compressor. Alternatively, solar photovoltaic cells could power an electric air compressor, although this arrangement is likely more expensive.

[[File:Compressed_air.jpg|500px|thumb|right|Numerous uses for compressed air when we take back the economy]]

== Applications and product ecology ==

'''Energy'''
* for '''energy storage''' (CAES, compressed air energy storage), see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compressed_air_energy_storage energy storage Wikipedia]
* compressed air could be "co-fired" with [[Biogas_start_up|'''biogas''']] for '''electricity''' generation, saving gas
* '''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumatic_motor pneumatic motors]''' for all sorts of uses, replacing electric or hydraulic motors
* run '''power tools''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumatic_tool examples here] and [http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-some-examples-of-compressed-air-tools.htm also here]
* generate compressed air via wind power (e.g. [[VAWT]]), directly powering an air compressor
* generate compressed air via (solar) '''heat engine''' that directly powers an air compressor

'''Transportation'''
* pneumatic '''transportation''' (see Treehugger article on [http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/12/foodtubes-tubular-idea-deliver-food-pneumatically.php FoodTubes])
*''' [[Compressed Air Water Pump]]'''

'''Biomass and Biomaterials'''
* '''drying of fuel biomass''' (... wood, manure, etc.) before further uses, such as combustion, pyrolysis
* '''drying and processing''' of (bio-)materials using [[Vortex Dehydration]] (also see: [http://vortexdehydration.com/index.htm vortex dehydration] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windhexe "Windhexe"])

'''Food and Agriculture'''
* '''aeration of water''' in [[Aquaculture|aquaculture]] and to make [http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/02/how-to-make-use-compost-tea.php compost tea]
* '''aeration of compost''': so-called [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerated_static_pile_composting "Aerated Static Pile" (ASP) composting]
* '''inflatable structures''' (greenhouses, tents, other temporary installations)
* '''cooling''' (possibly via [[Vortex_tube|vortex tube]]); for making [[Freeze Dried Fruit Powders]]
* various '''ventilation''' uses (e.g. air exchange in greenhouses, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passivhaus Passivhaus], underground mine, etc.), as an alternative to electric fans

'''Other'''
* using '''vortex tube''' for separation of atmospheric gases: yields nitrogen (for food preservation) and oxygen (to co-fire with gas and reach higher temperatures for metallurgical applications)
* control air flow in updraft and other [[Gasifier|'''gasifiers''']] such as a [http://www.appropedia.org/SAPL_TLUD_gasifier_stove TLUD]
* various applications that benefit from having very hot flames (compressed air provides increased oxygen for hotter combustion)
* when precise temperature control from a flame is required

== Links ==
* Wikipedia: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compressed_Air "Compressed Air"]
* Low-Tech Magazine: [http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2018/05/ditch-the-batteries-off-the-grid-compressed-air-energy-storage.html "Ditch the Batteries: Off-Grid Compressed Air Energy Storage"]
* [http://www.colorado.edu/engineering/energystorage/files/Moutoux_Thesis.pdf Wind Integrated Compressed Air Energy Storage In Colorado]
* [http://www.naturalbuildingblog.com/windmill-driven-compressed-air/#more-11402 Windmill Driven Compressed Air]
* Air Car (see: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_car Wikipedia] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFbKINlXzRk Youtube])

[[Category:Energy]]
[[Category:Metalworks|metallurgy]]

Lime

2018-04-26T06:35:32Z

Rasmus: /* Links: */ link fixed

[[File:Limecycle.jpg|300px|thumb|right|The Lime(stone) cycle]]

[[File:LimestoneCycle.jpg|500px|thumb|right| Image from [https://youtu.be/9LDG9cnGlDo Youtube video: "Limestone Cycle - limestone, quicklime and slaked lime"] (Chemistry for All - The Fuse School)]]

==Basics==
Lime is an extremely versatile basic material. Limestone, often composed largely of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), can be burned in a kiln. When heated to 900-1000C for several hours, it vents off carbon dioxide (CO2). What remains is mostly calcium oxide (CaO), also known as “quicklime” or “burnt lime”, a highly caustic material that is very “thirsty” for water. When combined with water – hydrated or “slaked” - the quicklime becomes calcium hydroxide or Ca(OH)2, often simply referred to as "lime". This material quickly reabsorbs CO2 and once again becomes calcium carbonate, completing the lime cycle.

==Historical uses for hydrated lime:==
* mortar for construction
* agriculture: to neutralize acidic soils to crop production
* "whitewash" - to protect wood (such as fences) or fruit trees from fungal infections
* as a disinfectant: water treatment, dairy, as an antiseptic for livestock

[[File:Lime slaking.jpg|500px|thumb|right| Slaking Lime]]

==Historical uses for quicklime:==
* main industrial uses today: as a steel fluxing agent and in flue gas desulphurization. Other: production of fiberglass, pulp and paper, aluminium, uranium, copper and gold.

==Product ecology==
* as a stabilizer in [[compressed earth blocks]]
* for mixing with hemp, to make [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hempcrete "hempcrete"]
* to fire the kiln, one could use the [[pyrolysis]] off-gases from [[biochar]] production (see: [[Biochar-Lime Co-production System]])
* use waste heat (from burning and from slaking) to heat greenhouses, fish tanks, other facilities

==Links:==
* Low-Tech Magazine:[http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2013/09/lime-kilns.html "Burning the Bones of the Earth: Lime Kilns"]
* Wikipedia: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lime_%28material%29 Lime (material)]
* Practical Action: [https://answers.practicalaction.org/our-resources/item/lime-an-introduction "Lime - an introduction"]
* Practical Action: [http://practicalaction.org/lime-kiln-designs "Lime - Kiln Designs"]
* Practical Action: [http://practicalaction.org/a-small-lime-kiln-for-batch-and-continuous-firing "A Small Lime Kiln for Batch and Continuous Firing"]
* Practical Action: [https://answers.practicalaction.org/our-resources/item/how-to-build-a-small-vertical-shaft-lime-kiln "How to Build a Small Vertical Shaft Lime Kiln"]
* Nice report showing the comprehensive process, and batch + continuous [[kiln]] design descriptions - [http://www.gate-international.org/documents/publications/webdocs/pdfs/g06sme.pdf]. Source: GATE -

[[File:SmallScaleLime_GATE.pdf]]

[[Category:Materials]]
[[Category:Housing and construction]]
[[Category:Food and Agriculture]]

Lime

2018-04-26T06:33:23Z

Rasmus: /* Links: */ link fixed

[[File:Limecycle.jpg|300px|thumb|right|The Lime(stone) cycle]]

[[File:LimestoneCycle.jpg|500px|thumb|right| Image from [https://youtu.be/9LDG9cnGlDo Youtube video: "Limestone Cycle - limestone, quicklime and slaked lime"] (Chemistry for All - The Fuse School)]]

==Basics==
Lime is an extremely versatile basic material. Limestone, often composed largely of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), can be burned in a kiln. When heated to 900-1000C for several hours, it vents off carbon dioxide (CO2). What remains is mostly calcium oxide (CaO), also known as “quicklime” or “burnt lime”, a highly caustic material that is very “thirsty” for water. When combined with water – hydrated or “slaked” - the quicklime becomes calcium hydroxide or Ca(OH)2, often simply referred to as "lime". This material quickly reabsorbs CO2 and once again becomes calcium carbonate, completing the lime cycle.

==Historical uses for hydrated lime:==
* mortar for construction
* agriculture: to neutralize acidic soils to crop production
* "whitewash" - to protect wood (such as fences) or fruit trees from fungal infections
* as a disinfectant: water treatment, dairy, as an antiseptic for livestock

[[File:Lime slaking.jpg|500px|thumb|right| Slaking Lime]]

==Historical uses for quicklime:==
* main industrial uses today: as a steel fluxing agent and in flue gas desulphurization. Other: production of fiberglass, pulp and paper, aluminium, uranium, copper and gold.

==Product ecology==
* as a stabilizer in [[compressed earth blocks]]
* for mixing with hemp, to make [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hempcrete "hempcrete"]
* to fire the kiln, one could use the [[pyrolysis]] off-gases from [[biochar]] production (see: [[Biochar-Lime Co-production System]])
* use waste heat (from burning and from slaking) to heat greenhouses, fish tanks, other facilities

==Links:==
* Low-Tech Magazine:[http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2013/09/lime-kilns.html "Burning the Bones of the Earth: Lime Kilns"]
* Wikipedia: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lime_%28material%29 Lime (material)]
* Practical Action: [http://practicalaction.org/lime-an-introduction-1 "Lime - an introduction"]
* Practical Action: [http://practicalaction.org/lime-kiln-designs "Lime - Kiln Designs"]
* Practical Action: [http://practicalaction.org/a-small-lime-kiln-for-batch-and-continuous-firing "A Small Lime Kiln for Batch and Continuous Firing"]
* Practical Action: [https://answers.practicalaction.org/our-resources/item/how-to-build-a-small-vertical-shaft-lime-kiln "How to Build a Small Vertical Shaft Lime Kiln"]
* Nice report showing the comprehensive process, and batch + continuous [[kiln]] design descriptions - [http://www.gate-international.org/documents/publications/webdocs/pdfs/g06sme.pdf]. Source: GATE -

[[File:SmallScaleLime_GATE.pdf]]

[[Category:Materials]]
[[Category:Housing and construction]]
[[Category:Food and Agriculture]]

Syngas Fermentation

2017-10-19T23:00:25Z

Rasmus: /* Related Pages */

[[File:Ecoli bacteria.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Microbial catalyst.]]

Syngas fermentation is a microbial process whereby syngas (i.e. a gasification-derived mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide) is used as the source for carbon and energy for subsequent conversion into fuel and chemicals by chemoautotrophic microbes. This process has some advantages over the [[Fischer-Tropsch]] process, which include more flexibility in feedstock, high specificity of the microbial catalysts, reaction near ambient temperature and pressure, as well as other aspects. Disadvantages include limitations in the gas-liquid mass transfer, impurities in syngas generated from biomass (may affect fermentation), as well as the sensitivity of microorganisms.

==Products==
The main products include [[ethanol]], [[butanol]], acetic acid, butyric acid, and [[methane]]. However, the applications are limitless given the capabilities of biotechnology.

==Related Pages==
* [[Staged pyrolysis]] (for syngas with high value fraction and low level of fermentation inhibitors)
* [[Biochemicals from Pyrolysis]]
* [[Open Source Biotechnology]]
* [[Biorefinery]]
* Wikipedia: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syngas_fermentation "Syngas Fermentation"]
* Wikipedia: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood%E2%80%93Ljungdahl_pathway "Wood–Ljungdahl pathway"]

[[File:Acetone–butanol–ethanol fermentation.png|432px|thumb|right|Syngas may be fed into the [[Acetone-butanol-ethanol fermentation]] pathway by ''Clostridia''.]]

[[Category:Energy]]
[[Category:Biofuel]]
[[Category:Food and Agriculture]]

Staged pyrolysis

2017-10-16T23:24:46Z

Rasmus:

[[File:StagedPyrolysis.jpg|thumb|right|500px|Staged Pyrolysis: Example of possible implementation of this technology.]]

[[Pyrolysis]] is the thermal decomposition of organic matter under an inert atmosphere. Ligno-cellulosic biomass is a common feedstock. The process produces non-condensable gas, [[Pyrolysis Oil|bio-oil]] and [[biochar]]. The pyrolysis oil includes more than 300 valuable oxygenated compounds, such as furans, ketones, phenols and esters (see also: [[Biochemicals from Pyrolysis]]). Certain phenolic compounds are known for their insecticidal and fungicidal effects.

Different constituents of [[Pyrolysis Oil|bio-oil]] can be difficult to separate. However, the composition of the off-gas is strongly influenced by temperature (see also: [[Wood Preservation by Carbonization]]). Therefore, when temperature is applied in different stages, different fractional components can be captured (hence: "staged pyrolysis"). In other words, the value fraction from each step is improved and tar formation is minimized.

==Example of Protocol==
* 100°C to 250°C - [[torrefaction]]
* 100°C to 250°C - pre-pyrolysis
* above 350°C - [[pyrolysis]]

==Video==
<html>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qvxeCMNx6go" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</html>

==See Also==
* Google Patents: [https://www.google.com/patents/US20110278149 "Staged biomass pyrolysis process and apparatus - US 20110278149 A1"]
* [[Pyrolysis]] and [[Pyrolysis Oil]]
* [[Biochemicals from Pyrolysis]]
* [[Biochar]] and [[Bioasphalt]]
* [[Biofuels]]
* [[Vinegar as herbicide]]

[[Category:Materials]]
[[Category:Biofuel]]
[[Category:Energy]]

Eco-Industrial Park

2017-10-15T16:15:32Z

Rasmus: inserted figure: materials ecology

[[Image:IndSymb_POSTER.PNG|thumb|upright=3|right|615px|Industrial Symbiosis Poster (click to enlarge)]]

[[Image:1b-Generalecolgies.png|615px|thumb|right| [[Product Ecologies]] illustrate how the different tools and products of the [[GVCS]] work together. This includes how the tools utilize onsite resources for building a modern infrastructure. The goal is to create closed loop industrial ecologies that contribute to environmental and societal regeneration, as humanity regains balance with its natural life support systems. ]]

[[Image:7b-Materialseco.png|615px|thumb|right| Materials Ecology: The Global Village Construction Set (GVCS) includes the areas of Agriculture, Housing, Energy, Production, and Materials. On the materials front - this is how some of the GVCS tools are involved.]]

==Definition==
''"An [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eco-industrial_park eco-industrial park] (EIP) or estate is a community of manufacturing and service businesses located together on a common property. Member businesses seek enhanced environmental, economic, and social performance through collaboration in managing environmental and resource issues. By working together, the community of businesses seeks a collective benefit that is greater than the sum of individual benefits each company would realize by only optimizing its individual performance."''

''"The goal of an EIP is to improve the economic performance of the participating companies while minimizing their environmental impacts. Components of this approach include green design of park infrastructure and plants (new or retrofitted); cleaner production, pollution prevention; energy efficiency; and inter-company partnering. An EIP also seeks benefits for neighboring communities to assure that the net impact of its development is positive."''

(Lowe, Ernest. 2004. Defining Eco-Industrial Parks: the Global Context and China. Report prepared for the Policy Research Center for Environment and Economy, State Environmental Protection Administration, China)

==Overview==
In an EIP, the use of energy and materials is optimized in such a way that the output of one process is the input into another ("industrial ecosystem"). These arrangements may result in cost savings and waste reduction. The design of the industrial infrastructure attempts to maximize economic and environmental efficiencies. When there is a strong agricultural component, the name '''Agro'''-Eco-Industrial Park is sometimes used, emphasizing the agricultural component with food, fuel and fiber as products.

Benefits of eco-industrial parks include:
* monetary benefits to companies (lower production costs / bargain prices, lower energy consumption, less transportation, less waste)
* environmental benefits (less demand on natural resources, less waste in all forms, transportation via pipes instead of trucks)
* societal benefits (jobs, cheap heating, better air quality, better health)

[[Image:SolarEconomy.jpg|615px|thumb|right| Solar Economy and product ecology: basis of the eco-industrial park.]]

==Industrial Symbiosis==

(Section kindly contributed by Ernest Lowe, CEO of [http://www.indigodev.com/index.html Indigo Development]).

''Industrial symbiosis'' (IS) is the most familiar subject of research and application in industrial ecology. The essence of this approach is collaboration among industrial plants and utilities to increase efficiency of resource use by creating a system for trading material, energy, and water by-products (“wastes”). An authoritative definition of IS broadens the field to include sharing of utility infrastructure and joint procurement of common services. IS is also referred to as: ''by-product exchange, by-product synergy, industrial ecosystem, industrial metabolism, green twinning, and zero emissions network.'' - these all refer to similar ideas. An eco-industrial park is a more comprehensive framework for development.

This subject is of interest to energy engineers and managers because the primary goal of IS projects is to achieve higher efficiency in using resources in order to meet the challenge of increasing costs and declining stocks of major commodities. By reusing otherwise unmarketed by-products through a network of exchanges, participants increase the efficiency of energy generation and capture energy embedded in material and water outputs. They also reduce costs of disposal, may receive revenues for the by-products, and reduce net greenhouse gas emissions. A further benefit to the economy is reduced public costs of disposal.

<html>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1yCYGOxnpSY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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==System Design==
There seem to be two different basic approaches to establishing an EIP: the '''self-organizing''' and the '''engineered''' system. The self-organizing system is characterized by facilitated organic growth (without any overall engineering design) of connections between companies - the system gradually develops like an organism. In contrast, the engineered system approach relies on detailed analysis of data as well as local / regional resource and energy flows to find possibilities to maximize efficiency in interaction.

Design options include site design, park infrastructure, individual facilities and shared support services. System components include natural systems (e.g. solar, wind, biomass, water resources etc.), energy (e.g. steam), material flows (e.g. co-locating brewery + mushroom farm + pig farm), water flows (different grades of water, e.g. processed/used water), management and support services (e.g. training center, cafeteria, day care center, offices, transportation logistics).

==Possible Tenants==
The following list was excerpted with modifications from [http://www.indigodev.com/AEIP_HB.html this page], which contains a lot of specific examples and business models. Tenants on an agro-eco-industrial estate may include:

1. '''Suppliers of equipment, energy, materials, and services to farmers''' (field equipment, equipment for monitoring of nutrients, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cogeneration co-generation] of energy for food processing, biomass by-products, [[ethanol]] fermentation, bioenergy crops, [[Integrated Pest Management]] services, consulting and training firms, agricultural extension agencies,...)

2. '''Food processing and distribution firms''' (distribution center for fruits and vegetables, community supported agriculture, dairy processing, meat/fish/poultry processing)

3. '''Firms utilizing by-products from any part of the system''' (energy generators, manufacturers using biomass by-products, [[ethanol]]/[[methane]], animal feed processors, greenhouses and aquaculture ponds, composting yard)

4. '''Intensive food production located in or near an agro-estate''' (landscaping, [[greenhouses]] and [[aquaculture]] ponds, integrated brewery, etc.)

5. '''Other potential recruitment targets''' (manufacturers using primary biomaterials such as [[hemp]] or [[bamboo]], etc.; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agritourism agritourism])

==Potential Difficulties / Problems==
*potential as an obstacle to further evolution in technologies (e.g. continued reliance on toxic materials or obsolete technologies just because inter-company networking permits it)
*complex inter-firm dependencies (stability of the park as a whole may be at risk if a crucial element is lost)
*risk of higher development costs (e.g. from the design process, site preparation, infrastructure features, construction processes, aspects of building design)
*with public-private partnerships: possibility of too much dependence upon public agencies and too little involvement of private sector players
*risk of overstating the case: ecological benefits and benefits of closing material flow loops may be limited

==Agro-Eco-Industrial Park as the core of a farming community==
A rationally designed farming community may have an eco-industrial park as its center. The surrounding farms would be suppliers of raw materials, such as biomass. The core park would would be the central hub with processing facilities and other specialized services.

==Related pages on this wiki==
* [[Product Ecologies]]
* [[Integrated Food and Waste Management System]] (also, [[IFWMS-Kiehl2009Archive]])
* [[Liquid Farm]]

==Links==
* various related topics on Wikipedia: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eco-industrial_park Eco-industrial park], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eco-industrial_development Eco-industrial development], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_symbiosis Industrial symbiosis], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_ecology Industrial ecology], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circular_economy Circular economy], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blue_Economy The Blue Economy].
* [http://www.indigodev.com/AEIP_HB.html "Agro-eco-industrial parks (AEIP)"] (Ernest Lowe), chapter taken from:
* (older, 2001) Handbook: [http://www.indigodev.com/Handbook.html "Eco-Industrial Park Handbook for Asian Developing Countries" (Ernest Lowe)]
* also from Indigo Development: [http://www.indigodev.com/Defining_EIP.html "An Eco-Industrial Park definition for the Circular Economy"]
* FAO: [http://www.fao.org/ag/ags/ags-division/publications/publication/en/c/38756/ “Agro-industrial parks - Experiences from India”]
* [http://www.jica.go.jp/english/our_work/social_environmental/archive/pro_asia/palestinia_3.html “Feasibility Study on Agro-Industrial Park Development in Jordan River Rift Valley in Palestine”] (Japan/Palestine)
* journal related to this topic: [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/%28ISSN%291530-9290/homepage/ProductInformation.html Journal of Industrial Ecology]

[[Category:Housing and construction]]
[[Category:Food and Agriculture]]
[[Category:Transport]]
[[Category:Materials]]

Forest Garden Greenhouse

2017-10-15T16:03:03Z

Rasmus: /* Related Pages */

[[File:TropicalGreenhouse KewGarden.jpg|thumb|right|500px|Tropical Greenhouse at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kew_Gardens Kew Garden].]]

In this groundbreaking book, Jerome Osentowski, one of North America’s most accomplished permaculture designers, presents a wholly new approach to a very old horticultural subject. In The Forest Garden Greenhouse, he shows how bringing the forest garden indoors is not only possible, but doable on unlikely terrain and in cold climates, using near-net-zero technology. Different from other books on greenhouse design and management, this book advocates for an indoor agriculture using permaculture design concepts—integration, multi-functions, perennials, and polycultures—that take season extension into new and important territory.

Link: Chelsea Green '''[http://www.chelseagreen.com/the-forest-garden-greenhouse "The Forest Garden Greenhouse - How to Design and Manage an Indoor Permaculture Oasis"]'''

==Review (Publishers Weekly)==
''"Osentowski shows how building and maintaining a Mediterranean or tropical greenhouse full of figs, lemons, papayas, and bananas can be both affordable and practical. Drawing on his 30 years of experimentation and teaching in the harsh, dry mountain environment of his Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute, he offers lush descriptions of his five greenhouses and in-depth, layered advice on designing and constructing a balmy winter retreat. His method uses a 'climate battery’ consisting of tubes buried underground to collect and hold warm air from the greenhouse, which then recirculate it when the temperature cools, backed up in the coldest days with a pellet or wood stove that can simultaneously heat an attached sauna. Osentowski admits that he prefers a hands-on method of teaching, and his written tours through greenhouses are sometimes hard to follow. Novices may be intimidated by the lack of step-by-step, formulaic instruction. But more experienced gardeners, builders, and tinkerers, and even intrepid beginners willing to carefully observe, compute, and ponder, will find this readable guide jam-packed with enough information and inspiration to help them attempt their own indoor paradises.”''

==Related Pages==
* [[Greenhouses]] and [[Tropical Greenhouse]]
* [[Perennial Agriculture]], [[Edible Forest Gardening]] and [[Open Source Permaculture]]
* other: [[CO2 Enrichment]]; and as possible heat source, [[Kon-Tiki Kiln]]

<html>
<iframe width="560" height="315" align=right src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P55fU_ll3Sg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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[[Category:Food and Agriculture]]

Staged pyrolysis

2017-10-15T15:14:17Z

Rasmus: inserted link: patent

[[File:StagedPyrolysis.jpg|thumb|right|500px|Staged Pyrolysis: Example of possible implementation of this technology.]]

[[Pyrolysis]] is the thermal decomposition of organic matter under an inert atmosphere. Ligno-cellulosic biomass is a common feedstock. The process produces non-condensable gas, [[Pyrolysis Oil|bio-oil]] and [[biochar]]. The pyrolysis oil includes more than 300 valuable oxygenated compounds, such as furans, ketones, phenols and esters (see also: [[Biochemicals from Pyrolysis]]). Certain phenolic compounds are known for their insecticidal and fungicidal effects.

Different constituents of [[Pyrolysis Oil|bio-oil]] can be difficult to separate. However, the composition of the off-gas is strongly influenced by temperature (see also: [[Wood Preservation by Carbonization]]). Therefore, when temperature is applied in different stages, different fractional components can be captured (hence: "staged pyrolysis").

==Video==
<html>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qvxeCMNx6go" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</html>

==See Also==
* Google Patents: [https://www.google.com/patents/US20110278149 "Staged biomass pyrolysis process and apparatus - US 20110278149 A1"]
* [[Pyrolysis]] and [[Pyrolysis Oil]]
* [[Biochemicals from Pyrolysis]]
* [[Biochar]] and [[Bioasphalt]]
* [[Biofuels]]
* [[Vinegar as herbicide]]

[[Category:Materials]]
[[Category:Biofuel]]
[[Category:Energy]]

Syngas Fermentation

2017-10-15T15:06:21Z

Rasmus:

[[File:Ecoli bacteria.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Microbial catalyst.]]

Syngas fermentation is a microbial process whereby syngas (i.e. a gasification-derived mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide) is used as the source for carbon and energy for subsequent conversion into fuel and chemicals by chemoautotrophic microbes. This process has some advantages over the [[Fischer-Tropsch]] process, which include more flexibility in feedstock, high specificity of the microbial catalysts, reaction near ambient temperature and pressure, as well as other aspects. Disadvantages include limitations in the gas-liquid mass transfer, impurities in syngas generated from biomass (may affect fermentation), as well as the sensitivity of microorganisms.

==Products==
The main products include [[ethanol]], [[butanol]], acetic acid, butyric acid, and [[methane]]. However, the applications are limitless given the capabilities of biotechnology.

==Related Pages==
* [[Staged pyrolysis]]
* [[Biochemicals from Pyrolysis]]
* [[Open Source Biotechnology]]
* [[Biorefinery]]
* Wikipedia: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syngas_fermentation "Syngas Fermentation"]
* Wikipedia: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood%E2%80%93Ljungdahl_pathway "Wood–Ljungdahl pathway"]

[[File:Acetone–butanol–ethanol fermentation.png|432px|thumb|right|Syngas may be fed into the [[Acetone-butanol-ethanol fermentation]] pathway by ''Clostridia''.]]

[[Category:Energy]]
[[Category:Biofuel]]
[[Category:Food and Agriculture]]

Duckweed

2017-10-14T16:08:56Z

Rasmus:

[[Image:2974165721_aea201d454.jpg|right]]
{{Category=Biofuel}}

[[File:2951671000 18d073247c z.jpg|400px|thumb|right|duckweed flowering]]

==Introduction==
Duckweed (''lemnaceae'', water lentils) family are the smallest flowering plants and probably the fastest growing plant, capable of doubling its weight in 24 hours. Because of the very high productivity per surface area, duckweed holds great potential for future global villages. This tiny aquatic plant has tremendous potential for cleaning up pollution, combating global warming and feeding the world.

==Culture==
Duckweed grows well on wastewater that is rich in nutrients. For reasons that seem to be still poorly understood, biological contamination appears to be beneficial to duckweed growth. It therefore grows well on water contaminated with cattle dung, pig waste, human urine, biogas plant slurry, compost or other organic matter in slurry form. Other potentially good sources may be effluent from [[aquaponics]], used [[Hydroponics|hydroponic]] solution, leachate from [[silage]], perhaps [[Compost_Tea|compost tea]] or other kinds of organic nutrients. The plant likes still water and wind breaks, such as trees.

Duckweed integrates very well into [[aquaponics]] - that has been called [[Duckweed-Ponics|"duckweed-ponics"]].

*Doubling times can vary significantly - from 1-5 days depending on species - [http://www.mobot.org/jwcross/duckweed/duckweed-rapid_growth.htm]. This should be considered carefully when sourcing the initial duckweed and wolffia.
*Duckweed has "95% moisture content" - [https://repositories.tdl.org/ttu-ir/bitstream/handle/2346/17141/31295015156515.pdf?sequence=1]

[[File:Azolla filiculoides and L.minor.jpg|500px|thumb|right|An example of co-culture of [[Azolla]] and duckweed: "Azolla filiculoides and L.minor" by Mygaia at English Wikipedia (T.M.McKenzie)]]

==Integrated Farming==
According to research from the Tropical Ecological Farm, College of Agriculture and Forestry in Ho Chi Minh City:

''"It is unique amongst plants in that its protein content can be manipulated according the nitrogen content of the water in which it is growing. This is important because it integrates with the biodigester. It is the ideal water plant to introduce into an integrated farming system because it can use the nitrogen in the effluent coming from the biodigester to enrich its protein content to a level only slightly lower than Soya Bean, approaching 35%. In terms of protein production, grown under ideal conditions in can produce 10 tonnes of protein per hectare per year. This compares with Soya bean which produces less than 1 tonne per year."''

==Duckweed as food==
Depending on strain and growing conditions, duckweeds can have very high protein content of up to 50% of dry mass. High levels of vitamins are also present. The taste is remotely similar to spinach. Duckweeds have historically played a role in some east Asian cuisines (''Wolffia'' genus). Because of rapid growth and ease of cultivation, duckweeds for consumption by animals and humans are now getting more attention.

'''Animal food:''' food for ducks of course. Also chickens, fish ([[tilapia]]), goats, horses, cattle, pigs. It can provide all the protein needs for some breeds.

'''Human food:''' Duckweed can be eaten in salads or soups, on a sandwich or as a component of vegetable spread (or as a substitute for: lettuce, spinach, water cress, alfalfa, ... ?). If grown for human consumption, make sure that there is no bacterial contamination. The dense covering of duckweed at the water surface can block out sunlight, which may allow anaerobic bacteria to grow. After harvest, duckweed can be lacto-fermented (see: [[Fermentation]] or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactic_acid_fermentation Wikipedia: "Lactic acid fermentation"]), which would eliminate most potential pathogens (also see: [[silage]]).

'''''Lentein:''''' A commercial product of duckweed powder called [http://www.lentein.com/ "Lentein"] has been introduced by [http://www.parabel.com/services/food/lentein/ Parabel]. From the website: ''"LENTEIN protein powder has been successfully blended in dry-mix goods like chips, crackers, snack mixes, bars, and cereal clusters. It also blends well into protein powders used for sports drinks or meal replacement shakes."''

==For bio-energy==
As with so many bioenergy ideas, some skepticism is in order. While duckweed has potential for biofuel production (ethanol, butanol, biogas), there may be better uses as fodder and human food. The topic was reviewed in [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24985498 "Growing duckweed for biofuel production: a review"].

'''Duckweed ethanol:''' Duckweed can produce appreciable quantities of starch that can be readily fermented into ethanol. The total starch content of duckweed can vary from 3-75% of the dry weight depending on strain and species. Other factors like nutrients and concentration play a large role in the accumulation of starch in duckweed. Some species like [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirodela_polyrhiza Spirodela polyrrhiza] combined with swine wastewater can contain a starch content of up to 46%. Duckweed has great potential for the development of environmentally friendly, economically viable ethanol production.

'''Biogas:''': closed-loop system: use effluent from digester to grow duckweed, then use duckweed in [[biogas]] digester.

'''Gasification:''': dried feedstock can be burned or gasified. Ash can be recycled as fertilizer on the duckweed pond.

'''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrothermal_liquefaction Hydrothermal liquefaction]''' for conversion to a crude-oil like liquid.

[[File:4469419678_fa36e0c45a_z.jpg|400px|thumb|right|duckweed microfarm for fish food]]

==Other applications==
'''Bio-sensors:''' Duckweeds are used for the detection of heavy metals and organic contaminants.

'''Bioremediation:''' [[Living Machines]] for cleaning wastewater, such as blackwater (domestic sewage).

'''[[Biomining]]:''' of phosphorus and other minerals/nutrients from wastewater.

'''Pharmaceuticals:''' Genetic modifications can give duckweeds new characteristics, such as pharmaceutical proteins and other biopharmaceuticals.

'''In Space:''' food production in bioregenerative life support systems in space. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11695430]

==Duckweed [[Silage]]==
Ensiling duckweed may result in very high quality fodder, but appears to require add-ons such as molasses or sugar beet pulp (see [http://www.allaboutfeed.net/Nutrition/Diet-Formulation/2011/12/Ensiling-duckweed-gives-better-quality-AAF012530W/ source]). Pressing duckweed does not reduce the water content significantly, therefore some drying may be required in order to reduce the weight and improve transportability (consider [[Food Drying with Superheated Steam]]).

----

A possible recipe (not tested yet!) for a high-quality duckweed [[silage]] product could include:

1. duckweed (dried or at least partially dehydrated with reduced moisture content)

2. sauerkraut juice (to add those [[Fermentation|lactofermenting]] bacteria)

3. some sort of sugar to fed the bacteria (e.g. molasses)

4. a small % amount of [[biochar]] as a microbial stabilizer

----

==Business Model==
Tamra Fakhoorian who runs the excellent blog [https://duckweedgardening.com/ "Duckweed Gardening"] has pioneered the commercialization of duckweed (see her company: [http://www.greensunproducts.com/ GreenSun Products, LLC]). Also check out the video below.

<html>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dwwTekE7RMc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</html>

==Sources==
*Garden Pool organization - [http://gardenpool.org/online-classes/growing-duckweed]

==Links: General==
* Wikipedia entry on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duckweed duckweed in general] and on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolffia Wolffia]
* International Duckweed Association - [http://www.mobot.org/jwcross/duckweed/duckweed.htm] and Linked In page - [https://www.linkedin.com/grp/post/4463122-118967608]
* Very comprehensive manual on duckweed aquaculture [http://www.p2pays.org/ref/09/08875.htm] - internal .pdf backup copy here: [http://opensourceecology.org/w/images/e/ea/Duckweed_Aquaculture.pdf]
* Thesis on pig waste conversion to duckweed. Includes growth rates, such as .1-.5 grams of growth per gram of duckweed - [https://repositories.tdl.org/ttu-ir/bitstream/handle/2346/17141/31295015156515.pdf?sequence=1]. 100 g/m2 harvest per day is suggested for optimal growth (10% of mass).
* Cross, J.W. (2006). The Charms of Duckweed. [http://www.mobot.org/jwcross/duckweed/duckweed.htm]
* Older patent with many details on duckweed for human consumption [http://www.google.com/patents?id=Zo8mAAAAEBAJ&dq=5269819]

==Links: Integrated Agriculture==
* Duckweed as a feed supplement for livestock [http://www.mobot.org/jwcross/duckweed/feed-supplement.htm]
* Duckweed as a Primary Feedstock for Aquaculture - duckweed has a higher conversion ratio in tilapia than commercial feed, though intake rate is lower so slower growth occurs overall. 10-20 dry tons/hectare growth are common. [http://www.mobot.org/jwcross/duckweed/Fish.htm]
* Integrated Tilapia & Duckweed [[Aquaponics]] System [http://www.fishfarming.com/duckweed.html]. Download: [[File:Aquasol,Inc.pdf]]
* Manual for the use of biodigester effluent and ponds for duckweed production (from Vietnam) [http://www.fao.org/WAICENT/FAOINFO/AGRICULT/AGA/AGAP/FRG/Recycle/dweed/mandw.htm]

==Links: Biofuel==
* Practical applications of duckweed, such as biofuel - [http://www.mobot.org/jwcross/duckweed/duckweed.htm]
* Biofuels Wiki: [http://www.biofuelswiki.org/Home/Duckweed Duckweed]
* book by Christopher Kinkaid (2014): [http://www.amazon.com/Duckweed-Ethanol-Biomass-International-Production/dp/1500485764 Duckweed Ethanol: Duckweed Biomass Grown from Organic Wastes to Replace Corn for US and International Ethanol Biofuel Production]

[[Category:Food and Agriculture]]

Flame Weeder

2017-10-14T16:08:04Z

Rasmus: Created page with "Flame weeding is a simple, cost efficient, non-toxic form of weed control for hard to weed crops and orchards. It is enjoying a resurgence today because of concerns over pesti..."

Flame weeding is a simple, cost efficient, non-toxic form of weed control for hard to weed crops and orchards. It is enjoying a resurgence today because of concerns over pesticides.

* Related: [[Steam Weeder]]

==Video==
<html>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yAElr7btyho" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</html>

[[Category:Food and Agriculture]]
[[Category:Farm equipment]]

Staged pyrolysis

2017-10-13T18:50:01Z

Rasmus: /* See Also */

[[File:StagedPyrolysis.jpg|thumb|right|500px|Staged Pyrolysis: Example of possible implementation of this technology.]]

[[Pyrolysis]] is the thermal decomposition of organic matter under an inert atmosphere. Ligno-cellulosic biomass is a common feedstock. The process produces non-condensable gas, [[Pyrolysis Oil|bio-oil]] and [[biochar]]. The pyrolysis oil includes more than 300 valuable oxygenated compounds, such as furans, ketones, phenols and esters (see also: [[Biochemicals from Pyrolysis]]). Certain phenolic compounds are known for their insecticidal and fungicidal effects.

Different constituents of [[Pyrolysis Oil|bio-oil]] can be difficult to separate. However, the composition of the off-gas is strongly influenced by temperature (see also: [[Wood Preservation by Carbonization]]). Therefore, when temperature is applied in different stages, different fractional components can be captured (hence: "staged pyrolysis").

==Video==
<html>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qvxeCMNx6go" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</html>

==See Also==
* [[Pyrolysis]] and [[Pyrolysis Oil]]
* [[Biochemicals from Pyrolysis]]
* [[Biochar]] and [[Bioasphalt]]
* [[Biofuels]]
* [[Vinegar as herbicide]]

[[Category:Materials]]
[[Category:Biofuel]]
[[Category:Energy]]

Staged pyrolysis

2017-10-13T18:49:16Z

Rasmus: /* See Also */ rearranged

[[File:StagedPyrolysis.jpg|thumb|right|500px|Staged Pyrolysis: Example of possible implementation of this technology.]]

[[Pyrolysis]] is the thermal decomposition of organic matter under an inert atmosphere. Ligno-cellulosic biomass is a common feedstock. The process produces non-condensable gas, [[Pyrolysis Oil|bio-oil]] and [[biochar]]. The pyrolysis oil includes more than 300 valuable oxygenated compounds, such as furans, ketones, phenols and esters (see also: [[Biochemicals from Pyrolysis]]). Certain phenolic compounds are known for their insecticidal and fungicidal effects.

Different constituents of [[Pyrolysis Oil|bio-oil]] can be difficult to separate. However, the composition of the off-gas is strongly influenced by temperature (see also: [[Wood Preservation by Carbonization]]). Therefore, when temperature is applied in different stages, different fractional components can be captured (hence: "staged pyrolysis").

==Video==
<html>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qvxeCMNx6go" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</html>

==See Also==
* [[Pyrolysis Oil]] and [[Pyrolysis]]
* [[Biochar]]
* [[Biochemicals from Pyrolysis]]
* [[Bioasphalt]]
* [[Biofuels]]
* [[Vinegar as herbicide]]

[[Category:Materials]]
[[Category:Biofuel]]
[[Category:Energy]]

Syngas Fermentation

2017-10-13T18:40:45Z

Rasmus: added Wikipedia link

[[File:Ecoli bacteria.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Microbial catalyst.]]
syngas
Syngas fermentation is a microbial process whereby syngas (i.e. a gasification-derived mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide) is used as the source for carbon and energy for subsequent conversion into fuel and chemicals by microorganisms. The main products include [[ethanol]], [[butanol]], acetic acid, butyric acid, and [[methane]].

This process has some advantages over the [[Fischer-Tropsch]] process, which include more flexibility in feedstock, high specificity of the microbial catalysts, reaction near ambient temperature and pressure, as well as other aspects.

Disadvantages include limitations in the gas-liquid mass transfer, impurities in syngas generated from biomass (may affect fermentation), as well as the sensitivity of microorganisms.

==Related Pages==
* [[Staged pyrolysis]]
* [[Biochemicals from Pyrolysis]]
* [[Open Source Biotechnology]]
* [[Biorefinery]]
* Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syngas_fermentation

[[File:Acetone–butanol–ethanol fermentation.png|432px|thumb|right|Syngas may be fed into the [[Acetone-butanol-ethanol fermentation]] pathway by ''Clostridia''.]]

[[Category:Energy]]
[[Category:Biofuel]]
[[Category:Food and Agriculture]]

Biochemicals from Pyrolysis

2017-10-13T18:40:28Z

Rasmus: /* Syngas Fermentation */ text edits, link change

{{Category=Materials}}
{{Category=Energy}}

[[File:Biochemicals from Pyrolysis.jpg|600px|thumb|right|courtesy: Wytze Meindersma, Eindhoven University of Technology, found [https://noppa.tkk.fi/noppa/kurssi/ke-40.9920/luennot/KE-40_9920_extraction_of_chemicals_from_po.pdf here]]]

=Overview=

Liquids derived from the pyrolysis of biomass, also known as [[Pyrolysis_Oil|bio-oil]], may contain hundreds of different organic chemical substances. Some of these can be quite valuable (example: 100g levoglucosan = $200) and therefore using the vapors and liquids only for energy (example: burning in a [[Babington_Burner|Babington Burner]]) appears wasteful at first. Depending on the amount of gases/bio-oil produced, it may be worthwhile to separate out the complex organic chemicals from simpler ones. However, this may require a lot of effort and/or expense.

==Components==
The spectrum of chemicals varies with feedstock composition and pyrolysis conditions, such as gasifier temperature, rate of temperature increase, duration, pressure etc.

[[File:Pyroil.jpg|326px|thumb|right|The vapors that come off can be sent into another drum, submerged in cool water for condensation to occur. ]]

Other components include:
*organic acids (formic acid, [[acetic acid]], propionic acid, butyric acid, etc);
*phenol group;
*carbonyl group (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, etc.);
*alcohol ([[ethanol]], methanol, etc);
*neutral materials (levoglucosan, acetol, maltol, etc);
*base (substances like ammonia, methylamine, dimethylamine, etc.)

One major component from the dry distillation of wood is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetic_acid acetic acid], which has many applications and can even be used as an [[Vinegar_as_herbicide|organic herbicide]]. [[Methanol]] is another useful and frequent component. Upgrading of methanol to biodiesel (see: [[DME]]) is possible but may not be practical or even necessary ([[methanol]] IC engines are already widely used).

After pyrolysis, the vapors are first cooled down for distillation. Water or external air may be used as coolants. Gaseous components (primarily carbon monoxide, hydrogen and [[methane]]) remain gases and can be flared. The liquid phase is then diluted with water, which leads to separation into a polar/aqueous and apolar/oily layer. Simple, low-tech, open-source methods of separation are needed (see below, "protocol").

==Is extraction worth the trouble ?==
The alternative to extraction is always to use these substances for their energy content, in other words, burn the bio-oil. So rather than extract the apolar biochemicals from the oily phase, it may make more sense to mix all or some of them with [[Biodiesel|(bio-)diesel]] (see [[Bio-Oil_/_Diesel_Mixture_Fuels|this page]] for more details; and reference: [http://canmetenergy-canmetenergie.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca/eng/industrial_processes/industrial_energy_systems/publications/200855.html]). Similarly, if it is not worth extracting the sugars from the aqueous phase, they can possibly be fed into an alcoholic fermentation stream, producing ethanol, or into an anaerobic fermenter to make [[biogas]]. Unfortunately, many microbes are very sensitive to the contaminants in bio-oil. The acidity is also a problem but that can be fixed with buffering.

[[File:Bio-oil farm.jpg|500px|thumb|right|Bio-oil ("biocrude") straight from the farm.]]

==Syngas Fermentation==
An interesting new development are biological methods for the catalysis of CO and H to ethanol. This is one application of the emerging field of [[Syngas Fermentation]]. Companies such as [http://www.coskata.com/ Coskata] and [http://www.enerkem.com Enerkem] are turning the various syngas components into ethanol using microbes in a bioreactor. Unfortunately, there are many patents in this field.

==Possible Applications==
* the classic: wood preservative [http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2006.07.011]
* organic acids (e.g. formic acid, [[acetic acid]])
* sugars, flavors
* pharmaceuticals
* bioplastics
* fibers, resins, dyes, adhesives

==Possible Feedstocks==
* various kinds of biomass (corn stalks, straw, wood, leaf litter, algae)
* manure, incl. [http://www.humanurehandbook.com/ humanure]
* animal waste, bones

==Important considerations==
* The question is: can this be scaled down to village scale in a practical way ? If so, the products (incl. [[Biochar|biochar]] from pyrolysis) may become important sources of revenue for the community. Being able to create a large number of different potential products with a ''single'' separation mechanism would be significant in terms of autonomy and resilience.
* which feedstocks produce which biochemicals in reasonable quantity ? under what pyrolysis conditions ?
* [[Gasifier|gasifier]] design / pyrolysis conditons etc.
* distillation and separation of products; one extraction method is using methanol as a solvent [http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=13769264]
* further processing of products: when used for energy, purity may be less important then when used for pharmaceuticals (for example).

==Possible OSE Protocol (under development and up for debate) ==
The goal here is to develop a simple, robust, low-cost, low-energy, (low-tech ?) way to extract certain biochemicals from biocrude. The process really already starts at the time of pyrolysis, since its conditions have major effects on the composition of the resulting bio-oil. Differences in the thermo-chemical stability of the main biomass constituents (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin) can be used to selectively devolatilise their pyrolytic breakdown products ("[[staged pyrolysis]]"). Abundant solar process heat may be available and can be used for distillation and other steps, but that is a whole other topic.

1.) Cool the pyrolysis vapors by running them through a coil which is immersed in coolant water. Which material to use for the coil ? perhaps copper ? glass ? clay pottery ? ... not steel, as the vapors are highly corrosive. This will separate out the gaseous components, namely CO, H2, CO2 and some CH4 from the liquid. Use these gases for energy (heat) to keep the reaction going, perhaps also to boil water and generate steam. Consider a heat recovery system that will later use this coolant water in a steam engine (after further heating and boiling) <br>
2.) Dilute the resulting liquid portion with water and let settle - this separates the polar aqueous phase from the apolar oily phase; filtration will be required. The aqueous phase has some highly acidic components, such as formic acid and acetic acid. Let it settle, this step takes a bit of time. There are still volatiles in the liquid which evaporate over time (this has environmental, energy yield and health implications).<br>
3.) So far, so good, but then it gets more complicated (depending on the bio-oil composition, goals of extraction, etc.). The apolar/oily phase has lighter and heavier components - and is therefore possibly amenable to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fractional_distillation fractional distillation], for which an open source model could be developed. <br>

==Relevant Expired Patents==
* [http://www.google.com/patents?id=rAhrAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4&source=gbs_overview_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false Levoglucosan production by pyrolysis of pretreated starches]
* [http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=ccYPAAAAEBAJ Method and apparatus for converting solid organic material to fuel oil and gas]

==Links==
* good introduction: [http://www.worldbiofuelsmarkets.com/downloads/presentations/16thMarch/Biorefineries/Paul_Wild.pdf "Innovative thermochemical conversion of biomas for value-added chemicals"] (Paul de Wild, [http://www.ecn.nl/home/ Energy Research Center of the Netherlands], Amsterdam)
* excellent, detailed presentation: [https://noppa.tkk.fi/noppa/kurssi/ke-40.9920/luennot/KE-40_9920_extraction_of_chemicals_from_po.pdf "Separation of chemicals from pyrolysis oil"] by Wytze Meindersma, Eindhoven University of Technology, part of [http://www.biocoup.com/ "Biocoup" - Co-processing of upgraded bio-liquids in standard refinery units]

==See Also==
* [[Biofuels]]
* [[Pyrolysis]]
* [[Bioasphalt]]

Syngas Fermentation

2017-10-13T18:34:41Z

Rasmus: Created page with "Microbial catalyst. syngas Syngas fermentation is a microbial process whereby syngas (i.e. a gasification-derived mixture of hyd..."

[[File:Ecoli bacteria.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Microbial catalyst.]]
syngas
Syngas fermentation is a microbial process whereby syngas (i.e. a gasification-derived mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide) is used as the source for carbon and energy for subsequent conversion into fuel and chemicals by microorganisms. The main products include [[ethanol]], [[butanol]], acetic acid, butyric acid, and [[methane]].

This process has some advantages over the [[Fischer-Tropsch]] process, which include more flexibility in feedstock, high specificity of the microbial catalysts, reaction near ambient temperature and pressure, as well as other aspects.

Disadvantages include limitations in the gas-liquid mass transfer, impurities in syngas generated from biomass (may affect fermentation), as well as the sensitivity of microorganisms.

==Related Pages==
* [[Staged pyrolysis]]
* [[Biochemicals from Pyrolysis]]
* [[Open Source Biotechnology]]
* [[Biorefinery]]

[[File:Acetone–butanol–ethanol fermentation.png|432px|thumb|right|Syngas may be fed into the [[Acetone-butanol-ethanol fermentation]] pathway by ''Clostridia''.]]

[[Category:Energy]]
[[Category:Biofuel]]
[[Category:Food and Agriculture]]

Biochemicals from Pyrolysis

2017-10-13T18:12:41Z

Rasmus: /* Possible OSE Protocol (under development and up for debate) */ removed 2 broken links, added internal link instead

{{Category=Materials}}
{{Category=Energy}}

[[File:Biochemicals from Pyrolysis.jpg|600px|thumb|right|courtesy: Wytze Meindersma, Eindhoven University of Technology, found [https://noppa.tkk.fi/noppa/kurssi/ke-40.9920/luennot/KE-40_9920_extraction_of_chemicals_from_po.pdf here]]]

=Overview=

Liquids derived from the pyrolysis of biomass, also known as [[Pyrolysis_Oil|bio-oil]], may contain hundreds of different organic chemical substances. Some of these can be quite valuable (example: 100g levoglucosan = $200) and therefore using the vapors and liquids only for energy (example: burning in a [[Babington_Burner|Babington Burner]]) appears wasteful at first. Depending on the amount of gases/bio-oil produced, it may be worthwhile to separate out the complex organic chemicals from simpler ones. However, this may require a lot of effort and/or expense.

==Components==
The spectrum of chemicals varies with feedstock composition and pyrolysis conditions, such as gasifier temperature, rate of temperature increase, duration, pressure etc.

[[File:Pyroil.jpg|326px|thumb|right|The vapors that come off can be sent into another drum, submerged in cool water for condensation to occur. ]]

Other components include:
*organic acids (formic acid, [[acetic acid]], propionic acid, butyric acid, etc);
*phenol group;
*carbonyl group (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, etc.);
*alcohol ([[ethanol]], methanol, etc);
*neutral materials (levoglucosan, acetol, maltol, etc);
*base (substances like ammonia, methylamine, dimethylamine, etc.)

One major component from the dry distillation of wood is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetic_acid acetic acid], which has many applications and can even be used as an [[Vinegar_as_herbicide|organic herbicide]]. [[Methanol]] is another useful and frequent component. Upgrading of methanol to biodiesel (see: [[DME]]) is possible but may not be practical or even necessary ([[methanol]] IC engines are already widely used).

After pyrolysis, the vapors are first cooled down for distillation. Water or external air may be used as coolants. Gaseous components (primarily carbon monoxide, hydrogen and [[methane]]) remain gases and can be flared. The liquid phase is then diluted with water, which leads to separation into a polar/aqueous and apolar/oily layer. Simple, low-tech, open-source methods of separation are needed (see below, "protocol").

==Is extraction worth the trouble ?==
The alternative to extraction is always to use these substances for their energy content, in other words, burn the bio-oil. So rather than extract the apolar biochemicals from the oily phase, it may make more sense to mix all or some of them with [[Biodiesel|(bio-)diesel]] (see [[Bio-Oil_/_Diesel_Mixture_Fuels|this page]] for more details; and reference: [http://canmetenergy-canmetenergie.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca/eng/industrial_processes/industrial_energy_systems/publications/200855.html]). Similarly, if it is not worth extracting the sugars from the aqueous phase, they can possibly be fed into an alcoholic fermentation stream, producing ethanol, or into an anaerobic fermenter to make [[biogas]]. Unfortunately, many microbes are very sensitive to the contaminants in bio-oil. The acidity is also a problem but that can be fixed with buffering.

[[File:Bio-oil farm.jpg|500px|thumb|right|Bio-oil ("biocrude") straight from the farm.]]

==Syngas Fermentation==
An interesting new development are biological methods for the catalysis of CO and H to ethanol. This is one application of the emerging field of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syngas_fermentation syngas fermentation]. Companies such as [http://www.coskata.com/ Coskata] and [http://www.enerkem.com Enerkem] are turning the various syngas components into ethanol using microbes in a bioreactor. This demonstrates a useful principle: distillation products are further processed using (micro-)biological means. Unfortunately, this field is littered with patents and will not become open source any time soon.

==Possible Applications==
* the classic: wood preservative [http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2006.07.011]
* organic acids (e.g. formic acid, [[acetic acid]])
* sugars, flavors
* pharmaceuticals
* bioplastics
* fibers, resins, dyes, adhesives

==Possible Feedstocks==
* various kinds of biomass (corn stalks, straw, wood, leaf litter, algae)
* manure, incl. [http://www.humanurehandbook.com/ humanure]
* animal waste, bones

==Important considerations==
* The question is: can this be scaled down to village scale in a practical way ? If so, the products (incl. [[Biochar|biochar]] from pyrolysis) may become important sources of revenue for the community. Being able to create a large number of different potential products with a ''single'' separation mechanism would be significant in terms of autonomy and resilience.
* which feedstocks produce which biochemicals in reasonable quantity ? under what pyrolysis conditions ?
* [[Gasifier|gasifier]] design / pyrolysis conditons etc.
* distillation and separation of products; one extraction method is using methanol as a solvent [http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=13769264]
* further processing of products: when used for energy, purity may be less important then when used for pharmaceuticals (for example).

==Possible OSE Protocol (under development and up for debate) ==
The goal here is to develop a simple, robust, low-cost, low-energy, (low-tech ?) way to extract certain biochemicals from biocrude. The process really already starts at the time of pyrolysis, since its conditions have major effects on the composition of the resulting bio-oil. Differences in the thermo-chemical stability of the main biomass constituents (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin) can be used to selectively devolatilise their pyrolytic breakdown products ("[[staged pyrolysis]]"). Abundant solar process heat may be available and can be used for distillation and other steps, but that is a whole other topic.

1.) Cool the pyrolysis vapors by running them through a coil which is immersed in coolant water. Which material to use for the coil ? perhaps copper ? glass ? clay pottery ? ... not steel, as the vapors are highly corrosive. This will separate out the gaseous components, namely CO, H2, CO2 and some CH4 from the liquid. Use these gases for energy (heat) to keep the reaction going, perhaps also to boil water and generate steam. Consider a heat recovery system that will later use this coolant water in a steam engine (after further heating and boiling) <br>
2.) Dilute the resulting liquid portion with water and let settle - this separates the polar aqueous phase from the apolar oily phase; filtration will be required. The aqueous phase has some highly acidic components, such as formic acid and acetic acid. Let it settle, this step takes a bit of time. There are still volatiles in the liquid which evaporate over time (this has environmental, energy yield and health implications).<br>
3.) So far, so good, but then it gets more complicated (depending on the bio-oil composition, goals of extraction, etc.). The apolar/oily phase has lighter and heavier components - and is therefore possibly amenable to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fractional_distillation fractional distillation], for which an open source model could be developed. <br>

==Relevant Expired Patents==
* [http://www.google.com/patents?id=rAhrAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4&source=gbs_overview_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false Levoglucosan production by pyrolysis of pretreated starches]
* [http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=ccYPAAAAEBAJ Method and apparatus for converting solid organic material to fuel oil and gas]

==Links==
* good introduction: [http://www.worldbiofuelsmarkets.com/downloads/presentations/16thMarch/Biorefineries/Paul_Wild.pdf "Innovative thermochemical conversion of biomas for value-added chemicals"] (Paul de Wild, [http://www.ecn.nl/home/ Energy Research Center of the Netherlands], Amsterdam)
* excellent, detailed presentation: [https://noppa.tkk.fi/noppa/kurssi/ke-40.9920/luennot/KE-40_9920_extraction_of_chemicals_from_po.pdf "Separation of chemicals from pyrolysis oil"] by Wytze Meindersma, Eindhoven University of Technology, part of [http://www.biocoup.com/ "Biocoup" - Co-processing of upgraded bio-liquids in standard refinery units]

==See Also==
* [[Biofuels]]
* [[Pyrolysis]]
* [[Bioasphalt]]

Kon-Tiki Kiln

2017-09-26T20:02:52Z

Rasmus: /* Assessment */

[[File: KonTiki.jpg |500px|thumb|right|Kon-Tiki operating]]

Excellent open source pyrolysis kiln from Switzerland for [[biochar]] production with a very clean burn. Some implements are already available and everything is open source. If you would like to support the further development of this effort, '''please consider [http://www.ithaka-institut.org/en/donation donating to Ithaka Institut]'''.

Ithaka Institut writes: ''While most of the [[biochar]] produced during the last 5000 years was produced with open fire, modern pyrolysis suppresses the fire. The separation of the carbonisation and the flaming of the pyrolysis gases make pyrolysis technology prone to failure and expensive which is one of the reasons why the biochar technology did not have yet it's breakthrough. The Kon-Tiki flame curtain kiln re-connects biochar making to the ancient wisdom and craft of fire making and combines it with smart design based on modern thermodynamics to produce high quality char with low emissions.''

==Assessment==
My (Rasmus) opinion: these types of open-burn kilns appear to have some advantages over those "barrel-in-a-barrel" retorts that were advocated in the past. This kiln does away with the internal metal barrier which is costly, corrodes easily and is labor-intensive to make. Instead, it has a "flame cap": the flame itself is the cap. The Kon-Tiki kiln can be tilted after the burn, allowing the [[biochar]] to be dumped out easily for further use. The char produced with open burn kilns may be of higher quality, because volatiles and tars can evaporate more easily (a recent [http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0154617 paper] provides supporting evidence for this). The Kon-Tiki Kiln can be quenched with water. This "quench water", which is soapy and alkaline (due to a certain ash content), is a potentially valuable byproduct that can be used in other processes.

==Video==
<html>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-AebWIpGu4I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</html>

[[File: KonTikiDesign.jpg |600px|thumb|right|Basic design specifications of the Kon-Tiki Kiln.]]

==Specifications==
Production capacity:
* 700 l biochar in 4 to 5 hours
* Yield: 25 to 30% (DM)
* Temperature at the surface of the blaze is around 620° to 660° C
* Some 30 to 50 cm into the blaze zone, temperatures reach 750° C

==Use of char in a charcoal gasifier to power an internal combustion engine ==
The char produced by this kiln is very clean compared to many other charcoal-making methods, i.e. it appears to have a very low content of volatiles/tars. An '''additional''' gasification step ("charcoal gasification"), would result in a very low-tar flammable gas. This gas can then power an internal combustion engine that basically requires no modifications. The sticky tars are avoided, so the internal combustion engine should be longer-lived than one run on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_gas wood gas]. Obviously, no [[biochar]] is produced in this way, and all of the biomass would be used for energy.

Comment about this from Hans-Peter Schmidt (Ithaka Institut): ''"The gasification of high quality Kon-Tiki char is a valuable solution. In that case the biochar should not be quenched with liquids but covered with an iron lid that should then be covered with soil to make it tight. It will take then 8 to 16 hours to finish the burn and use the dry char for clean combustion. However, you could also install a screw discharger at the bottom of the kiln and transport the hot and dry char directly into a gasifier."''

(For more details on the discussion of woodgas vs. charcoal gasification, see [[Troy Martz Gasifier]].)

[[File: KonTikiWholeVillage.jpg |700px|thumb|right|Impressions from the inaugural Kon-Tiki kiln burn at [http://wholevillage.org/ Whole Villeage] (Ecovillage in Ontario near Toronto) on Sunday Aug. 6th 2017.]]

==As heat source for other applications==
This kiln produces large amounts of “waste” heat that could be used productively. The main issue to consider is that the “open burn” principle has to be maintained: the ambient pressure in the pyrolysis reaction should not increase when heat is captured. This may be achievable with a smokestack of sufficient height and proper dimensions. However, careful calculations are in required.

* heat source for [[greenhouses]]
* heat source for [[Hydronic Heat System]]
* biomass drying
* as part of a small [[biorefinery]] or distillery (e.g. [[ethanol]])
* food dehydration (see: [[Food Drying with Superheated Steam]])
* for electricity generation using [[Thermoelectric Generators]]

==Related Wiki Pages==
* The [[Earth Pit Kiln]] is a more "primitive" technique that operates by the same "open burn" principle as the steel kiln. It may be a good way to get started with this type of pyrolysis.
* [[Biochar]] and [[The Biochar Economy]]
* [[Biochar Crusher]]

==Links==
*[https://www.biochar-journal.org/en/ct/39 "Kon-Tiki - the democratization of biochar production" (The Biochar Jourrnal)] (read this! - internal copy [http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/File:1437139451142.pdf here])
* same, formatted as a paper: *[http://www.ithaka-institut.org/ithaka/media/doc/kon-tiki-presentation.pdf Ithaka Inst.: "Download the presentation of the Kon-Tiki technology" (.pdf)]
*[http://opensourceecology.org/w/images/a/ad/Kon-tiki-presentation.pdf Internal copy of a presentation about this kiln] by Ithaka Institut, has many images and design specifications, complements the paper nicely [http://www.ithaka-institut.org/ithaka/media/doc/kon-tiki-presentation.pdf (original source here!)]
*[http://www.ithaka-institut.org/en/ct/101 More videos from Ithaka Institut]
*[https://www.biochar-journal.org/en/ct/46 "Charmaking in the Himalayas"] (The Biochar Journal) - has picture of full-scale “flat pack” 1000 liter Kon-Tiki
*[http://www.thebiocharrevolution.com/blog/biochar-production-in-kon-tiki-australia-1 "Biochar Production in Kon-Tiki Australia"] - many pictures and design drawings from website "The Biochar Revolution"
*Paper in PLOS One:[http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0154617 "Emissions and Char Quality of Flame-Curtain "Kon Tiki" Kilns for Farmer-Scale Charcoal/Biochar Production"]

[[Category:Energy]]
[[Category:Biofuel]]
[[Category:Food and Agriculture]]
[[Category:Biochar]]

Kon-Tiki Kiln

2017-09-26T20:01:57Z

Rasmus: /* Related Wiki Pages */

[[File: KonTiki.jpg |500px|thumb|right|Kon-Tiki operating]]

Excellent open source pyrolysis kiln from Switzerland for [[biochar]] production with a very clean burn. Some implements are already available and everything is open source. If you would like to support the further development of this effort, '''please consider [http://www.ithaka-institut.org/en/donation donating to Ithaka Institut]'''.

Ithaka Institut writes: ''While most of the [[biochar]] produced during the last 5000 years was produced with open fire, modern pyrolysis suppresses the fire. The separation of the carbonisation and the flaming of the pyrolysis gases make pyrolysis technology prone to failure and expensive which is one of the reasons why the biochar technology did not have yet it's breakthrough. The Kon-Tiki flame curtain kiln re-connects biochar making to the ancient wisdom and craft of fire making and combines it with smart design based on modern thermodynamics to produce high quality char with low emissions.''

==Assessment==
My (Rasmus) opinion: these types of open-burn kilns appear to have some advantages over those "barrel-in-a-barrel" retorts that were advocated in the past. This kiln does away with the internal metal barrier which is costly, corrodes easily and is labor-intensive to make. Instead, it has a "flame cap": the flame itself is the cap. The Kon-Tiki kiln can be tilted after the burn, allowing the [[biochar]] to be dumped out easily for further use. The char produced with open burn kilns may be of higher quality, because volatiles and tars can evaporate more easily (a recent [http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0154617 paper] provides supporting evidence for this).

==Video==
<html>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-AebWIpGu4I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</html>

[[File: KonTikiDesign.jpg |600px|thumb|right|Basic design specifications of the Kon-Tiki Kiln.]]

==Specifications==
Production capacity:
* 700 l biochar in 4 to 5 hours
* Yield: 25 to 30% (DM)
* Temperature at the surface of the blaze is around 620° to 660° C
* Some 30 to 50 cm into the blaze zone, temperatures reach 750° C

==Use of char in a charcoal gasifier to power an internal combustion engine ==
The char produced by this kiln is very clean compared to many other charcoal-making methods, i.e. it appears to have a very low content of volatiles/tars. An '''additional''' gasification step ("charcoal gasification"), would result in a very low-tar flammable gas. This gas can then power an internal combustion engine that basically requires no modifications. The sticky tars are avoided, so the internal combustion engine should be longer-lived than one run on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_gas wood gas]. Obviously, no [[biochar]] is produced in this way, and all of the biomass would be used for energy.

Comment about this from Hans-Peter Schmidt (Ithaka Institut): ''"The gasification of high quality Kon-Tiki char is a valuable solution. In that case the biochar should not be quenched with liquids but covered with an iron lid that should then be covered with soil to make it tight. It will take then 8 to 16 hours to finish the burn and use the dry char for clean combustion. However, you could also install a screw discharger at the bottom of the kiln and transport the hot and dry char directly into a gasifier."''

(For more details on the discussion of woodgas vs. charcoal gasification, see [[Troy Martz Gasifier]].)

[[File: KonTikiWholeVillage.jpg |700px|thumb|right|Impressions from the inaugural Kon-Tiki kiln burn at [http://wholevillage.org/ Whole Villeage] (Ecovillage in Ontario near Toronto) on Sunday Aug. 6th 2017.]]

==As heat source for other applications==
This kiln produces large amounts of “waste” heat that could be used productively. The main issue to consider is that the “open burn” principle has to be maintained: the ambient pressure in the pyrolysis reaction should not increase when heat is captured. This may be achievable with a smokestack of sufficient height and proper dimensions. However, careful calculations are in required.

* heat source for [[greenhouses]]
* heat source for [[Hydronic Heat System]]
* biomass drying
* as part of a small [[biorefinery]] or distillery (e.g. [[ethanol]])
* food dehydration (see: [[Food Drying with Superheated Steam]])
* for electricity generation using [[Thermoelectric Generators]]

==Related Wiki Pages==
* The [[Earth Pit Kiln]] is a more "primitive" technique that operates by the same "open burn" principle as the steel kiln. It may be a good way to get started with this type of pyrolysis.
* [[Biochar]] and [[The Biochar Economy]]
* [[Biochar Crusher]]

==Links==
*[https://www.biochar-journal.org/en/ct/39 "Kon-Tiki - the democratization of biochar production" (The Biochar Jourrnal)] (read this! - internal copy [http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/File:1437139451142.pdf here])
* same, formatted as a paper: *[http://www.ithaka-institut.org/ithaka/media/doc/kon-tiki-presentation.pdf Ithaka Inst.: "Download the presentation of the Kon-Tiki technology" (.pdf)]
*[http://opensourceecology.org/w/images/a/ad/Kon-tiki-presentation.pdf Internal copy of a presentation about this kiln] by Ithaka Institut, has many images and design specifications, complements the paper nicely [http://www.ithaka-institut.org/ithaka/media/doc/kon-tiki-presentation.pdf (original source here!)]
*[http://www.ithaka-institut.org/en/ct/101 More videos from Ithaka Institut]
*[https://www.biochar-journal.org/en/ct/46 "Charmaking in the Himalayas"] (The Biochar Journal) - has picture of full-scale “flat pack” 1000 liter Kon-Tiki
*[http://www.thebiocharrevolution.com/blog/biochar-production-in-kon-tiki-australia-1 "Biochar Production in Kon-Tiki Australia"] - many pictures and design drawings from website "The Biochar Revolution"
*Paper in PLOS One:[http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0154617 "Emissions and Char Quality of Flame-Curtain "Kon Tiki" Kilns for Farmer-Scale Charcoal/Biochar Production"]

[[Category:Energy]]
[[Category:Biofuel]]
[[Category:Food and Agriculture]]
[[Category:Biochar]]

Kon-Tiki Kiln

2017-09-26T14:01:33Z

Rasmus: /* Assessment */

[[File: KonTiki.jpg |500px|thumb|right|Kon-Tiki operating]]

Excellent open source pyrolysis kiln from Switzerland for [[biochar]] production with a very clean burn. Some implements are already available and everything is open source. If you would like to support the further development of this effort, '''please consider [http://www.ithaka-institut.org/en/donation donating to Ithaka Institut]'''.

Ithaka Institut writes: ''While most of the [[biochar]] produced during the last 5000 years was produced with open fire, modern pyrolysis suppresses the fire. The separation of the carbonisation and the flaming of the pyrolysis gases make pyrolysis technology prone to failure and expensive which is one of the reasons why the biochar technology did not have yet it's breakthrough. The Kon-Tiki flame curtain kiln re-connects biochar making to the ancient wisdom and craft of fire making and combines it with smart design based on modern thermodynamics to produce high quality char with low emissions.''

==Assessment==
My (Rasmus) opinion: these types of open-burn kilns appear to have some advantages over those "barrel-in-a-barrel" retorts that were advocated in the past. This kiln does away with the internal metal barrier which is costly, corrodes easily and is labor-intensive to make. Instead, it has a "flame cap": the flame itself is the cap. The Kon-Tiki kiln can be tilted after the burn, allowing the [[biochar]] to be dumped out easily for further use. The char produced with open burn kilns may be of higher quality, because volatiles and tars can evaporate more easily (a recent [http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0154617 paper] provides supporting evidence for this).

==Video==
<html>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-AebWIpGu4I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</html>

[[File: KonTikiDesign.jpg |600px|thumb|right|Basic design specifications of the Kon-Tiki Kiln.]]

==Specifications==
Production capacity:
* 700 l biochar in 4 to 5 hours
* Yield: 25 to 30% (DM)
* Temperature at the surface of the blaze is around 620° to 660° C
* Some 30 to 50 cm into the blaze zone, temperatures reach 750° C

==Use of char in a charcoal gasifier to power an internal combustion engine ==
The char produced by this kiln is very clean compared to many other charcoal-making methods, i.e. it appears to have a very low content of volatiles/tars. An '''additional''' gasification step ("charcoal gasification"), would result in a very low-tar flammable gas. This gas can then power an internal combustion engine that basically requires no modifications. The sticky tars are avoided, so the internal combustion engine should be longer-lived than one run on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_gas wood gas]. Obviously, no [[biochar]] is produced in this way, and all of the biomass would be used for energy.

Comment about this from Hans-Peter Schmidt (Ithaka Institut): ''"The gasification of high quality Kon-Tiki char is a valuable solution. In that case the biochar should not be quenched with liquids but covered with an iron lid that should then be covered with soil to make it tight. It will take then 8 to 16 hours to finish the burn and use the dry char for clean combustion. However, you could also install a screw discharger at the bottom of the kiln and transport the hot and dry char directly into a gasifier."''

(For more details on the discussion of woodgas vs. charcoal gasification, see [[Troy Martz Gasifier]].)

[[File: KonTikiWholeVillage.jpg |700px|thumb|right|Impressions from the inaugural Kon-Tiki kiln burn at [http://wholevillage.org/ Whole Villeage] (Ecovillage in Ontario near Toronto) on Sunday Aug. 6th 2017.]]

==As heat source for other applications==
This kiln produces large amounts of “waste” heat that could be used productively. The main issue to consider is that the “open burn” principle has to be maintained: the ambient pressure in the pyrolysis reaction should not increase when heat is captured. This may be achievable with a smokestack of sufficient height and proper dimensions. However, careful calculations are in required.

* heat source for [[greenhouses]]
* heat source for [[Hydronic Heat System]]
* biomass drying
* as part of a small [[biorefinery]] or distillery (e.g. [[ethanol]])
* food dehydration (see: [[Food Drying with Superheated Steam]])
* for electricity generation using [[Thermoelectric Generators]]

==Related Wiki Pages==
* The [[Earth Pit Kiln]] is a more "primitive" technique that operates according to the same "open burn" principle as the steel kiln. It may be a good way to get started.
* [[Biochar]] and [[The Biochar Economy]]
* [[Biochar Crusher]]
* The Kon-Tiki Kiln can be quenched with water. This "quench water", which is soapy and alkaline (due to small amounts of ash), is a potentially valuable byproduct that can be used in other processes.

==Links==
*[https://www.biochar-journal.org/en/ct/39 "Kon-Tiki - the democratization of biochar production" (The Biochar Jourrnal)] (read this! - internal copy [http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/File:1437139451142.pdf here])
* same, formatted as a paper: *[http://www.ithaka-institut.org/ithaka/media/doc/kon-tiki-presentation.pdf Ithaka Inst.: "Download the presentation of the Kon-Tiki technology" (.pdf)]
*[http://opensourceecology.org/w/images/a/ad/Kon-tiki-presentation.pdf Internal copy of a presentation about this kiln] by Ithaka Institut, has many images and design specifications, complements the paper nicely [http://www.ithaka-institut.org/ithaka/media/doc/kon-tiki-presentation.pdf (original source here!)]
*[http://www.ithaka-institut.org/en/ct/101 More videos from Ithaka Institut]
*[https://www.biochar-journal.org/en/ct/46 "Charmaking in the Himalayas"] (The Biochar Journal) - has picture of full-scale “flat pack” 1000 liter Kon-Tiki
*[http://www.thebiocharrevolution.com/blog/biochar-production-in-kon-tiki-australia-1 "Biochar Production in Kon-Tiki Australia"] - many pictures and design drawings from website "The Biochar Revolution"
*Paper in PLOS One:[http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0154617 "Emissions and Char Quality of Flame-Curtain "Kon Tiki" Kilns for Farmer-Scale Charcoal/Biochar Production"]

[[Category:Energy]]
[[Category:Biofuel]]
[[Category:Food and Agriculture]]
[[Category:Biochar]]

Kon-Tiki Kiln

2017-09-26T14:00:09Z

Rasmus: /* Related Wiki Pages */

[[File: KonTiki.jpg |500px|thumb|right|Kon-Tiki operating]]

Excellent open source pyrolysis kiln from Switzerland for [[biochar]] production with a very clean burn. Some implements are already available and everything is open source. If you would like to support the further development of this effort, '''please consider [http://www.ithaka-institut.org/en/donation donating to Ithaka Institut]'''.

Ithaka Institut writes: ''While most of the [[biochar]] produced during the last 5000 years was produced with open fire, modern pyrolysis suppresses the fire. The separation of the carbonisation and the flaming of the pyrolysis gases make pyrolysis technology prone to failure and expensive which is one of the reasons why the biochar technology did not have yet it's breakthrough. The Kon-Tiki flame curtain kiln re-connects biochar making to the ancient wisdom and craft of fire making and combines it with smart design based on modern thermodynamics to produce high quality char with low emissions.''

==Assessment==
My (Rasmus) opinion: these types of open-burn kilns appear to have some advantages over those "barrel-in-a-barrel" retorts that were advocated in the past. This kiln does away with the internal metal barrier which is costly, corrodes easily and is labor-intensive to produce. The Kon-Tiki kiln can be tilted after the burn, allowing the [[biochar]] to be dumped easily for further use. The char produced with open burn kilns may be of higher quality, because volatiles and tars can evaporate more easily (a recent [http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0154617 paper] provides supporting evidence for this).

==Video==
<html>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-AebWIpGu4I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</html>

[[File: KonTikiDesign.jpg |600px|thumb|right|Basic design specifications of the Kon-Tiki Kiln.]]

==Specifications==
Production capacity:
* 700 l biochar in 4 to 5 hours
* Yield: 25 to 30% (DM)
* Temperature at the surface of the blaze is around 620° to 660° C
* Some 30 to 50 cm into the blaze zone, temperatures reach 750° C

==Use of char in a charcoal gasifier to power an internal combustion engine ==
The char produced by this kiln is very clean compared to many other charcoal-making methods, i.e. it appears to have a very low content of volatiles/tars. An '''additional''' gasification step ("charcoal gasification"), would result in a very low-tar flammable gas. This gas can then power an internal combustion engine that basically requires no modifications. The sticky tars are avoided, so the internal combustion engine should be longer-lived than one run on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_gas wood gas]. Obviously, no [[biochar]] is produced in this way, and all of the biomass would be used for energy.

Comment about this from Hans-Peter Schmidt (Ithaka Institut): ''"The gasification of high quality Kon-Tiki char is a valuable solution. In that case the biochar should not be quenched with liquids but covered with an iron lid that should then be covered with soil to make it tight. It will take then 8 to 16 hours to finish the burn and use the dry char for clean combustion. However, you could also install a screw discharger at the bottom of the kiln and transport the hot and dry char directly into a gasifier."''

(For more details on the discussion of woodgas vs. charcoal gasification, see [[Troy Martz Gasifier]].)

[[File: KonTikiWholeVillage.jpg |700px|thumb|right|Impressions from the inaugural Kon-Tiki kiln burn at [http://wholevillage.org/ Whole Villeage] (Ecovillage in Ontario near Toronto) on Sunday Aug. 6th 2017.]]

==As heat source for other applications==
This kiln produces large amounts of “waste” heat that could be used productively. The main issue to consider is that the “open burn” principle has to be maintained: the ambient pressure in the pyrolysis reaction should not increase when heat is captured. This may be achievable with a smokestack of sufficient height and proper dimensions. However, careful calculations are in required.

* heat source for [[greenhouses]]
* heat source for [[Hydronic Heat System]]
* biomass drying
* as part of a small [[biorefinery]] or distillery (e.g. [[ethanol]])
* food dehydration (see: [[Food Drying with Superheated Steam]])
* for electricity generation using [[Thermoelectric Generators]]

==Related Wiki Pages==
* The [[Earth Pit Kiln]] is a more "primitive" technique that operates according to the same "open burn" principle as the steel kiln. It may be a good way to get started.
* [[Biochar]] and [[The Biochar Economy]]
* [[Biochar Crusher]]
* The Kon-Tiki Kiln can be quenched with water. This "quench water", which is soapy and alkaline (due to small amounts of ash), is a potentially valuable byproduct that can be used in other processes.

==Links==
*[https://www.biochar-journal.org/en/ct/39 "Kon-Tiki - the democratization of biochar production" (The Biochar Jourrnal)] (read this! - internal copy [http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/File:1437139451142.pdf here])
* same, formatted as a paper: *[http://www.ithaka-institut.org/ithaka/media/doc/kon-tiki-presentation.pdf Ithaka Inst.: "Download the presentation of the Kon-Tiki technology" (.pdf)]
*[http://opensourceecology.org/w/images/a/ad/Kon-tiki-presentation.pdf Internal copy of a presentation about this kiln] by Ithaka Institut, has many images and design specifications, complements the paper nicely [http://www.ithaka-institut.org/ithaka/media/doc/kon-tiki-presentation.pdf (original source here!)]
*[http://www.ithaka-institut.org/en/ct/101 More videos from Ithaka Institut]
*[https://www.biochar-journal.org/en/ct/46 "Charmaking in the Himalayas"] (The Biochar Journal) - has picture of full-scale “flat pack” 1000 liter Kon-Tiki
*[http://www.thebiocharrevolution.com/blog/biochar-production-in-kon-tiki-australia-1 "Biochar Production in Kon-Tiki Australia"] - many pictures and design drawings from website "The Biochar Revolution"
*Paper in PLOS One:[http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0154617 "Emissions and Char Quality of Flame-Curtain "Kon Tiki" Kilns for Farmer-Scale Charcoal/Biochar Production"]

[[Category:Energy]]
[[Category:Biofuel]]
[[Category:Food and Agriculture]]
[[Category:Biochar]]

Staged pyrolysis

2017-09-26T13:45:39Z

Rasmus: text rearranged

[[File:StagedPyrolysis.jpg|thumb|right|500px|Staged Pyrolysis: Example of possible implementation of this technology.]]

[[Pyrolysis]] is the thermal decomposition of organic matter under an inert atmosphere. Ligno-cellulosic biomass is a common feedstock. The process produces non-condensable gas, [[Pyrolysis Oil|bio-oil]] and [[biochar]]. The pyrolysis oil includes more than 300 valuable oxygenated compounds, such as furans, ketones, phenols and esters (see also: [[Biochemicals from Pyrolysis]]). Certain phenolic compounds are known for their insecticidal and fungicidal effects.

Different constituents of [[Pyrolysis Oil|bio-oil]] can be difficult to separate. However, the composition of the off-gas is strongly influenced by temperature (see also: [[Wood Preservation by Carbonization]]). Therefore, when temperature is applied in different stages, different fractional components can be captured (hence: "staged pyrolysis").

==Video==
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==See Also==
* [[Pyrolysis Oil]]
* [[Biofuels]]
* [[Pyrolysis]]
* [[Biochar]]
* [[Bioasphalt]]
* [[Vinegar as herbicide]]

[[Category:Materials]]
[[Category:Biofuel]]
[[Category:Energy]]

Staged pyrolysis

2017-09-25T18:39:55Z

Rasmus: /* See Also */ categorization fixed

Staged pyrolysis

2017-09-25T18:29:13Z

Rasmus: Created page with "Staged Pyrolysis: Example of possible implementation of this technology. Pyrolysis is the thermal decomposition of organic..."

File:StagedPyrolysis.jpg

2017-09-25T18:27:09Z

Rasmus: From Youtube video: https://youtu.be/qvxeCMNx6go

From Youtube video: https://youtu.be/qvxeCMNx6go

Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI)

2017-09-22T17:37:22Z

Rasmus: + Link

The Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI) is dedicated to maintaining fair and open access to plant genetic resources worldwide in order to ensure the availability of germplasm to farmers, gardeners, breeders, and communities of this and future generations.

'''Vision:''' The Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI) engages in education and outreach that promotes sharing rather than restricting access to plant germplasm, recognizes and supports the work of plant breeders of all kinds, and supports a diversified and decentralized seed industry. The core strategy for achieving these goals is the dissemination and propagation of the OSSI Pledge and of OSSI-Pledged varieties, both of which preserve the rights of farmers, gardeners, and breeders to freely use, save, replant, and improve seed of OSSI-Pledged material.

==Video==
Peak Moment, Episode 323.

Plant breeder Carol Deppe is passionate about making seeds available for all growers, rather than being in the control of a handful of corporations. “If we want to control the kind of food available and the kind of agricultural system that we want, we have to do our own breeding,” she explains. “What Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI) does is create a pool, a protected commons, of germ plasm which will always be available for breeding. The OSSI pledge goes along with these seed varieties, but also if you breed new varieties. So it’s an ever-expanding pool of seed.” OSSI frees the seed, guaranteeing the rights of farmers and gardeners to save and replant seed for many generations. Don’t miss Carol’s catchy lyrics in the song at the end!

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==Links==
* http://osseeds.org/
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Source_Seed_Initiative

[[Category:Food and Agriculture]]

Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI)

2017-09-22T17:00:02Z

Rasmus: Created page with "The Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI) is dedicated to maintaining fair and open access to plant genetic resources worldwide in order to ensure the availability of germplasm t..."

The Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI) is dedicated to maintaining fair and open access to plant genetic resources worldwide in order to ensure the availability of germplasm to farmers, gardeners, breeders, and communities of this and future generations.

'''Vision:''' The Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI) engages in education and outreach that promotes sharing rather than restricting access to plant germplasm, recognizes and supports the work of plant breeders of all kinds, and supports a diversified and decentralized seed industry. The core strategy for achieving these goals is the dissemination and propagation of the OSSI Pledge and of OSSI-Pledged varieties, both of which preserve the rights of farmers, gardeners, and breeders to freely use, save, replant, and improve seed of OSSI-Pledged material.

==Video==
Peak Moment, Episode 323.

Plant breeder Carol Deppe is passionate about making seeds available for all growers, rather than being in the control of a handful of corporations. “If we want to control the kind of food available and the kind of agricultural system that we want, we have to do our own breeding,” she explains. “What Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI) does is create a pool, a protected commons, of germ plasm which will always be available for breeding. The OSSI pledge goes along with these seed varieties, but also if you breed new varieties. So it’s an ever-expanding pool of seed.” OSSI frees the seed, guaranteeing the rights of farmers and gardeners to save and replant seed for many generations. Don’t miss Carol’s catchy lyrics in the song at the end!

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==Links==
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Source_Seed_Initiative

[[Category:Food and Agriculture]]

Open-source biomass pyrolysis reactor, Woolf et al. 2017

2017-09-16T18:04:41Z

Rasmus: Created page with "Link to article: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/10.1002/bbb.1814/full '''"An open-source biomass pyrolysis reactor"''' in ''Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining''..."

Link to article: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/10.1002/bbb.1814/full

'''"An open-source biomass pyrolysis reactor"''' in ''Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining''

authors: Dominic Woolf, Johannes Lehmann, Stephen Joseph, Christopher Campbell, Farid C. Christo and Largus T. Angenent
Published online: 11 SEP 2017

[[Category:Biofuel]]
[[Category:Biochar]]
[[Category:Pyrolysis Oil]]
[[Category:Materials]]
[[Category:Food and Agriculture]]

Black Soldier Fly

2017-08-22T20:13:16Z

Rasmus: added video: "How to Use Black Soldier Flies for Biowaste Treatment"

{{Category=Soil and compost}} [[Category:Holistic Aquaponics Greenhouse Toolkit]]
[[File:BSF_adult.jpg|500px|thumb|right|Black Soldier Fly adult]]
[[File:BSF_larvae.jpg|700px|thumb|right|Black Soldier Fly larvae]]

[[File:014-Complete_2-Foot_Unit.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Bioconversion unit for Black Soldier Flies - image courtesy of Dr. Paul Olivier. ]]
[[File:DSC01995.JPG|500px|thumb|right|Bioconversion unit for Black Soldier Flies - image courtesy of Dr. Paul Olivier. ]]

Parts of this text were taken an article by Dr. Paul Olivier - please read [http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/bioconversion-dr_paul_olivier/ the original here].

Larvae of the black soldier fly (BSF), ''Hermetia illucens'', can be used to convert many kinds of organic waste, including putrescent waste such as meat and dairy products. Soldier Grubs are not associated in any way with the transmission of disease. They do not bite, bother or pester humans in any way. In fact, they send out a (pheromonal?) signal to house flies: '''''get lost !'''''

==Applications and Product Ecology==
*Soldier Grubs can be fed to chickens or fish (see: [[Aquaponics|aquaponics]]). They can become an important part of any [[Integrated Food and Waste Management System|integrated food and waste management system]].
* Oils from Soldier Grubs has been proposed for making diesel - like biofuels and a protein-rich feed additive
* Whatever is left after the Soldier Grubs are done eating can be eaten by worms ([[vermicomposting]]), dramatically reducing the weight and volume of the compost

==Open-source Black Soldier Fly composter==
http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/bsf-bucket-composter-version-2-1/ - An open hardware project to build a grub composter for Black Soldier Fly. Includes automatic harvesting of the larvae. The grubs abandon the waste only when they have reached their final mature prepupal stage, and they crawl out of the waste and into a collection bucket without any mechanical or human intervention.

The design is for a 5 gallon (19l) bucket that could process a maximum of 1lb (454g) of food scraps a day. [http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/biopod-log-waste-in-grubs-out/ Performance testing] shows that you can get about 1 kilo of grubs for every seven kilos of food waste you put in, so you could get a maximum of 7lb (3.17kg) of grubs a week from just a 5 gallon bucket. If the grubs are used as fish food in [[Aquaponics|aquaponics]], the grubs from this bucket could easily sustain an aquaponics system with a 5000l tank.

==Videos==
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==Further Links==
*Mass production of BSF - [http://www.caes.uga.edu/commodities/animals/aquaculture/catfish/documents/soldierflymagazinearticle.pdf]
*How to grow them - [http://www.ie.unc.edu/for_students/courses/capstone/13/bsfl_how-to_guide.pdf] and download - [[File:bsf.pdf]]
*Scientific American article on BSF as fish food - [http://www.scientificamerican.com/video/soldier-flies-the-new-food-for-farm-fish/]
*[http://www.blacksoldierflyfarming.com/ Black Soldier Fly Farming website]
*[http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/ Black Soldier Fly Blog]
*[http://agroinnovations.com/index.php/en_us/multimedia/blogs/2010/02/episode-78-the-black-soldier-fly-part-i/ Agroinnovations Podcast on BSF]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermetia_illucens Wikipedia: Black Soldier Fly]
*[http://www.esrint.com/pages/bioconversion.html ESR International LLC - Dr. Paul Olivier] and proprietary technologies: [http://thebiopod.com/pages/pages/products.html BioPod™ Classic], [http://thebiopod.com/pages/biopod-plus.html BioPod™ Plus], [http://thebiopod.com/pages/pages/protapod.html ProtaPod™]
*[http://www.esrla.com/pdf/Brazil.pdf Very detailed information from a project in Brazil (Dr. Paul Olivier)]

==Sourcing==
*Larvae source - [http://www.phoenixworm.com/pages/what-size-phoenix-worm-is-right-for-my-animal]

==Food Value==
*1000 calories per kilogram - [http://www.waldeneffect.org/blog/How_many_chickens_will_a_black_soldier_fly_bin_feed__63__/]

==Building Bins==
*[http://www.waldeneffect.org/blog/Homemade_black_soldier_fly_bins/ Walden Effect site]]

==Breeding==
*home system - [http://members.shaw.ca/borealwormer/BSFLx2.html#Numbers]

==Production==
*20 ton per week in a facility in China - [http://entomologytoday.org/2015/05/26/black-soldier-flies-as-recyclers-of-waste-and-possible-livestock-feed/]
*Spend brewer's grain and grass clippings can grow house flies

==Efficiencies==
*15 kg of putrescent material can be processed per m2 of surface area - at a conversion rate of 20% into BSF body mass. Source - [http://www.esrint.com/pages/bioconversion.html]. This indicates that 3 kg of BSF mass is produced per day from 15 kg of waste. If fish convert this to fish body mass, then 1.5 lb of fish mass growth can be sustained by this level of feeding. This appears to be comparable (same order of magnitude) to the 16 square meters of gutters (240 feet of 6" gutter) that would be required to produce 3lb of duckweed.
*Commercial ProtaPod has a '''digestion rate of 20lb of scraps per day''' - or produces 4 lb of BSF per day. This is outstanding for a 1 square meter footprint-[http://www.thebiopod.com/pages/pages/protapod.html]. Cost is $350.

==BSF as Fish Food==
*This paper says BSF can be used to replace 30% of fish food in catfish - [http://www.caes.uga.edu/commodities/animals/aquaculture/catfish/documents/soldierflymagazinearticle.pdf]
*BSF can replace 25% of fishmeal - [http://www.extension.org/pages/15054/research-summary:-black-soldier-fly-prepupae-a-compelling-alternative-to-fish-meal-and-fish-oil#.VgclQt_YyVo]
*For tillapia fish food with 15% fish meal, 50% of the fish meal can be replaced with BSF (7.5% of overall feed) - [http://www.academia.edu/12342582/Development_of_Black_Soldier_Fly_Larvae_Production_Technique_as_an_Alternate_Fish_Feed]
*Tilapia are not carnivores, so they can't eat 100% BSF. -[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6kxKpNrKa0]
*good video from Plant Chicago - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xsv7cZcABvc]

==Human Waste Processing==
*This paper concluded that BSF can be an effective solution to the processing of human waste - [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/tmi.12228/pdf]. 20% bioconversion (conversion from feces to larval mass) and 2-3 feed conversion ratio (ratio of food mass to BSF larval mass)

Kon-Tiki Kiln

2017-08-10T16:21:41Z

Rasmus: inserted image

[[File: KonTiki.jpg |500px|thumb|right|Kon-Tiki operating]]

Excellent open source pyrolysis kiln from Switzerland for [[biochar]] production with a very clean burn. Some implements are already available and everything is open source. If you would like to support the further development of this effort, '''please consider [http://www.ithaka-institut.org/en/donation donating to Ithaka Institut]'''.

Ithaka Institut writes: ''While most of the [[biochar]] produced during the last 5000 years was produced with open fire, modern pyrolysis suppresses the fire. The separation of the carbonisation and the flaming of the pyrolysis gases make pyrolysis technology prone to failure and expensive which is one of the reasons why the biochar technology did not have yet it's breakthrough. The Kon-Tiki flame curtain kiln re-connects biochar making to the ancient wisdom and craft of fire making and combines it with smart design based on modern thermodynamics to produce high quality char with low emissions.''

==Assessment==
My (Rasmus) opinion: these types of open-burn kilns appear to have some advantages over those "barrel-in-a-barrel" retorts that were advocated in the past. This kiln does away with the internal metal barrier which is costly, corrodes easily and is labor-intensive to produce. The Kon-Tiki kiln can be tilted after the burn, allowing the [[biochar]] to be dumped easily for further use. The char produced with open burn kilns may be of higher quality, because volatiles and tars can evaporate more easily (a recent [http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0154617 paper] provides supporting evidence for this).

==Video==
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[[File: KonTikiDesign.jpg |600px|thumb|right|Basic design specifications of the Kon-Tiki Kiln.]]

==Specifications==
Production capacity:
* 700 l biochar in 4 to 5 hours
* Yield: 25 to 30% (DM)
* Temperature at the surface of the blaze is around 620° to 660° C
* Some 30 to 50 cm into the blaze zone, temperatures reach 750° C

==Use of char in a charcoal gasifier to power an internal combustion engine ==
The char produced by this kiln is very clean compared to many other charcoal-making methods, i.e. it appears to have a very low content of volatiles/tars. An '''additional''' gasification step ("charcoal gasification"), would result in a very low-tar flammable gas. This gas can then power an internal combustion engine that basically requires no modifications. The sticky tars are avoided, so the internal combustion engine should be longer-lived than one run on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_gas wood gas]. Obviously, no [[biochar]] is produced in this way, and all of the biomass would be used for energy.

Comment about this from Hans-Peter Schmidt (Ithaka Institut): ''"The gasification of high quality Kon-Tiki char is a valuable solution. In that case the biochar should not be quenched with liquids but covered with an iron lid that should then be covered with soil to make it tight. It will take then 8 to 16 hours to finish the burn and use the dry char for clean combustion. However, you could also install a screw discharger at the bottom of the kiln and transport the hot and dry char directly into a gasifier."''

(For more details on the discussion of woodgas vs. charcoal gasification, see [[Troy Martz Gasifier]].)

[[File: KonTikiWholeVillage.jpg |700px|thumb|right|Impressions from the inaugural Kon-Tiki kiln burn at [http://wholevillage.org/ Whole Villeage] (Ecovillage in Ontario near Toronto) on Sunday Aug. 6th 2017.]]

==As heat source for other applications==
This kiln produces large amounts of “waste” heat that could be used productively. The main issue to consider is that the “open burn” principle has to be maintained: the ambient pressure in the pyrolysis reaction should not increase when heat is captured. This may be achievable with a smokestack of sufficient height and proper dimensions. However, careful calculations are in required.

* heat source for [[greenhouses]]
* heat source for [[Hydronic Heat System]]
* biomass drying
* as part of a small [[biorefinery]] or distillery (e.g. [[ethanol]])
* food dehydration (see: [[Food Drying with Superheated Steam]])
* for electricity generation using [[Thermoelectric Generators]]

==Related Wiki Pages==
* The simplest way to get started with this type of pyrolysis is to dig an [[Earth Pit Kiln]] which is a more primitive kiln but operating with the same principle of a "flame cap" (open burn).
* [[Biochar]] and [[The Biochar Economy]]
* [[Biochar Crusher]]
* The Kon-Tiki Kiln can be quenched with water. This "quench water", which is soapy and alkaline (due to small amounts of ash), is a potentially valuable byproduct that can be used in other processes.

==Links==
*[https://www.biochar-journal.org/en/ct/39 "Kon-Tiki - the democratization of biochar production" (The Biochar Jourrnal)] (read this! - internal copy [http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/File:1437139451142.pdf here])
* same, formatted as a paper: *[http://www.ithaka-institut.org/ithaka/media/doc/kon-tiki-presentation.pdf Ithaka Inst.: "Download the presentation of the Kon-Tiki technology" (.pdf)]
*[http://opensourceecology.org/w/images/a/ad/Kon-tiki-presentation.pdf Internal copy of a presentation about this kiln] by Ithaka Institut, has many images and design specifications, complements the paper nicely [http://www.ithaka-institut.org/ithaka/media/doc/kon-tiki-presentation.pdf (original source here!)]
*[http://www.ithaka-institut.org/en/ct/101 More videos from Ithaka Institut]
*[https://www.biochar-journal.org/en/ct/46 "Charmaking in the Himalayas"] (The Biochar Journal) - has picture of full-scale “flat pack” 1000 liter Kon-Tiki
*[http://www.thebiocharrevolution.com/blog/biochar-production-in-kon-tiki-australia-1 "Biochar Production in Kon-Tiki Australia"] - many pictures and design drawings from website "The Biochar Revolution"
*Paper in PLOS One:[http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0154617 "Emissions and Char Quality of Flame-Curtain "Kon Tiki" Kilns for Farmer-Scale Charcoal/Biochar Production"]

[[Category:Energy]]
[[Category:Biofuel]]
[[Category:Food and Agriculture]]
[[Category:Biochar]]

File:KonTikiWholeVillage.jpg

2017-08-10T16:16:59Z

Rasmus: Impressions from the inaugural Kon-Tiki kiln burn at @wholevillageECO on Sunday Aug. 6th. We had fun and made great biochar.

Impressions from the inaugural Kon-Tiki kiln burn at @wholevillageECO on Sunday Aug. 6th. We had fun and made great [[biochar]].

Biological Wastewater Treatment

2017-07-25T21:35:52Z

Rasmus:

This page is a stub. Please write something.

Plants: reeds, [[cattails]]

[[File:Bio wastewater.jpg|thumb|right|500px|Biological wastewater treatment using reeds at [http://www.siebenlinden.de Ecovillage Sieben Linden, Germany]. The installation is a shallow basin that receives a mixture of greywater and urine but no humanure. Treated water is used for irrigation. Photo taken by OSE contributor Rasmus Kiehl at [http://www.siebenlinden.de Ecovillage Sieben Linden, Germany].]]

[[File:CEBhybrid.jpg|thumb|right|500px|Biological wastewater treatment next to a microhome.]]

==Related Pages==
* [[Nine Principles for Designing Living Machines]] and [[Living Machines]]
* [[Duckweed]]
* [[Greywater]]
* [[Sewage treatment]]

[[Category:Housing and construction]]

Greywater

2017-07-25T21:34:50Z

Rasmus: minor link fixes

{{Category=Water}}

'''site under construction'''

[[File:Bio wastewater.jpg|thumb|right|500px|[[Biological Wastewater Treatment|Biological wastewater treatment]] using reeds at [http://www.siebenlinden.de Ecovillage Sieben Linden, Germany]. The installation is a shallow basin that receives a mixture of greywater and urine but no humanure. Treated water is used for irrigation. Photo taken by OSE contributor Rasmus Kiehl at [http://www.siebenlinden.de Ecovillage Sieben Linden, Germany].]]

==Good Gray Water Summary==
*http://www.ecosanres.org/pdf_files/ESR_Publications_2004/ESR4web.pdf

==Strategic Planning==

Source Control -> Plumbing and Pipesystem -> Pre-Treatment -> Treatment -> Post-Treatment(?)

extensive planning help, tips and tricks:
*http://www.greywater.com/planning.htm
From the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna
*http://www.wau.boku.ac.at/fileadmin/_/H81/H811/Skripten/811362/03_Design_questions.pdf
For the new-house builder
*http://oasisdesign.net/greywater/buildersguide/actionssummary.htm

==Things to consider==

1)hydraulic load
2)load of easily degradable organic matter and BOD (biochemical oxygen demand)

ad1)maximum load of water:
estimated gray water amount for one person
(incl. rain/storm water for mulch basin and planted soil filters):
*http://www.rssweather.com/climate/Missouri/Kansas%20City/)

see also: Percolation Test

ad 2)possible properties of gray water:
Organic Compounds
Pathogens
Nutrients
Metals/Toxins

3)Source Control:
water-conservation methods

4)[[Duckweed]] has excellent capabilities for greywater purification and should be considered as a component of a treatment system.

==Tests and Preparations==

Percolation Test: to determine the water absorption rate of the soil
In general, soils are classified as clay soils, sandy soils, or loamy soils. Clay is nutrient rich, but slow draining. Sand is quick draining, but has trouble retaining nutrients and moisture. Loam is generally considered to be ideal soil because it retains moisture and nutrients but doesn’t stay soggy.

*http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/naturalresources/DD0583.html
or
*http://www.percolationtest.com/

==Treatment Methods==

laundry to mulch basin system (oasisdesign.net):

*http://oasisdesign.net/greywater/laundry/index.php
PDF-Version:
*http://oasisdesign.net/greywater/createanoasis/LaundryToLandscape.pdf

It's the simplest, most economical residential greywater system—design
open source franchise including:
Introduction
Design
Calculator
Parts
Parts sources
Maintenance
Installers
Installations photo album
Comments

==Online e-Books==

Graywater Guide Book (Department of Water Resources of California)
*http://www.owue.water.ca.gov/docs/graywater_guide_book.pdf

Septic Systems Owner's Guide Book (Grand Valley State University)
*http://www.gvsu.edu/forms/isc/septage/septic_guidebook.pdf
help site-fact sheet:
http://www.soil.ncsu.edu/publications/Soilfacts/AG-439-22/

A Homeowner's Guide to Septic Systems (American Environmental Protection Agency)
*http://epa.gov/owm/septic/pubs/homeowner_guide_long.pdf

==Links==

Open Directory Project (human-edited internet directory) site on wastewater:
*http://www.dmoz.org/Science/Environment/Water_Resources/Wastewater/Household_Wastewater_Management/

Stockholm Environment Institute - Ecological Sanitation Research: Sustainable Sanitation for the developing world; not open source but most publications are free of charge and worth reading
*http://www.ecosanres.org/

From the fund of the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna
*http://www.wau.boku.ac.at/fileadmin/_/H81/H811/Skripten/811362/11_Reuse_Wastewater.pdf

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Compressed Air Trencher

2017-06-15T16:06:33Z

Rasmus:

* pneumatic excavation device powered by an air compressor
* pressurized air digs through soils and clays
* leaves items such as cable lines and tree roots
* suitable for steep terrain (see video)

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==Links==
* [[Compressed Air]]
* commercial product: [https://www.airspade.com/technology/digging-with-air-spade Air-Spade]

[[Category:Housing and construction]]

Compressed Air Trencher

2017-06-15T15:43:52Z

Rasmus: various edits: embedded vid, added text, added category

* Pressurized air digs through soils and clays
* leaves items such as cable lines and tree roots
* suitable for steep terrain

<html>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ur8nbEJxXD8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</html>

==Links==
* [[Compressed Air]]
* commercial product: [https://www.airspade.com/technology/digging-with-air-spade Air-Spade]

[[Category:Housing and construction]]

Drones

2017-06-14T17:09:28Z

Rasmus:

[[File:Ag Drone01.jpg|640px|thumb|right|Agricultural drone surveying the land, transmitting information back to the farm's "control room".]]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unmanned_aerial_vehicle Unmanned aerial vehicles] (UAVs), commonly known as drones, may operate autonomously (say, by on-board computers) or by remote control. Some open source hardware efforts exist (some links below).

==Agricultural Drones==
Drones are increasing used in agriculture for functions such as information gathering. Many other future possibilities exist (e.g. seeding, (foliar) spraying, "drone sheepdog", etc.).

==Relevant Pages on Wiki==
*[[Conservation Drones]]
* idea: [[DroneKite]]
* [[Agricultural Robot]]
* [[OpenDroneMap]]

==Status of Open Source Hardware==
* Caldat: [http://www.caldat.com/b/open-source-drone-projects-list-cm583 "Open Source Drone Projects List"] (2016)
* [http://diydrones.com/ DIY Drones]
* [http://copter.ardupilot.com/ardupilot/index.html Ardupilot]
* [https://www.dronecode.org/ Dronecode]
* [https://dronegarageblog.wordpress.com/micro-scisky-the-32bits-open-source-brushed-flight-controller/ MicroSciSky]

[[Category:Food and Agriculture]]

Tertill

2017-06-14T14:22:01Z

Rasmus: categorized, video inserted

Solar powered weeding robot - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rorymackean/tertill-the-solar-powered-weeding-robot-for-home-g

Example of an [[Agricultural Robot]]

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==Links==
* [http://www.franklinrobotics.com/ Franklin Robotics]

[[Category: Food and Agriculture]]
[[Category: Automation]]

Agricultural Robot

2017-06-14T14:13:21Z

Rasmus: /* Relevant OSE Wiki pages */

[[File:Ag Drone01.jpg|500px|thumb|right|Agricultural drone surveying the land, transmitting information back to the farm's "control room". Drones are increasingly used in agriculture for information gathering. Many other future possibilities exist (e.g. seeding, "drone sheepdog").]]

An agricultural robot or ''agribot'' is a robot deployed for agricultural purposes. The main area of application of robots in agriculture today is at the harvesting stage. There are many benefits for the agricultural industry, including a higher quality of fresh produce, lower production costs, and less need for manual labor. Many possible emerging applications exist (see below).

==Applications==
*driverless tractor / sprayer
*fruit picking
*horticultural tasks (pruning, weeding, spraying and monitoring)
*livestock applications (livestock robotics): automatic milking, washing, castrating, sheep shearing

==Relevant OSE Wiki pages==
* [[Drones]]
* [[Farmbot]]
* [[Tertill]]
* [[Agrokruh]]
* [[Prospero: Robotic Farmer]]

==Links==
* Wikipedia: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agricultural_robot Agricultural Robot] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-source_robotics Open-source robotics]
* [http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-04-23/robots-replacing-japan-s-farmers-seen-preserving-food-security "Japan's Next Generation of Farmers Could Be Robots"]
* [https://farmbot.io/ Farmbot]
* Business Insider (Aug. 2016 article): [http://www.businessinsider.com/robots-that-are-replacing-farm-workers-2016-8 "7 robots that are replacing farm workers around the world"]

[[Category: Food and Agriculture]]
[[Category: Automation]]

Forest Garden Greenhouse

2017-06-12T14:25:48Z

Rasmus: minor edits: related pages

[[File:TropicalGreenhouse KewGarden.jpg|thumb|right|500px|Tropical Greenhouse at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kew_Gardens Kew Garden].]]

In this groundbreaking book, Jerome Osentowski, one of North America’s most accomplished permaculture designers, presents a wholly new approach to a very old horticultural subject. In The Forest Garden Greenhouse, he shows how bringing the forest garden indoors is not only possible, but doable on unlikely terrain and in cold climates, using near-net-zero technology. Different from other books on greenhouse design and management, this book advocates for an indoor agriculture using permaculture design concepts—integration, multi-functions, perennials, and polycultures—that take season extension into new and important territory.

Link: Chelsea Green '''[http://www.chelseagreen.com/the-forest-garden-greenhouse "The Forest Garden Greenhouse - How to Design and Manage an Indoor Permaculture Oasis"]'''

==Review (Publishers Weekly)==
''"Osentowski shows how building and maintaining a Mediterranean or tropical greenhouse full of figs, lemons, papayas, and bananas can be both affordable and practical. Drawing on his 30 years of experimentation and teaching in the harsh, dry mountain environment of his Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute, he offers lush descriptions of his five greenhouses and in-depth, layered advice on designing and constructing a balmy winter retreat. His method uses a 'climate battery’ consisting of tubes buried underground to collect and hold warm air from the greenhouse, which then recirculate it when the temperature cools, backed up in the coldest days with a pellet or wood stove that can simultaneously heat an attached sauna. Osentowski admits that he prefers a hands-on method of teaching, and his written tours through greenhouses are sometimes hard to follow. Novices may be intimidated by the lack of step-by-step, formulaic instruction. But more experienced gardeners, builders, and tinkerers, and even intrepid beginners willing to carefully observe, compute, and ponder, will find this readable guide jam-packed with enough information and inspiration to help them attempt their own indoor paradises.”''

==Related Pages==
* [[Greenhouses]] and [[Tropical Greenhouse]]
* [[Perennial Agriculture]], [[Edible Forest Gardening]] and [[Open Source Permaculture]]
* other: [[CO2 Enrichment]]; [[Kon-Tiki Kiln]] as possible heat source

<html>
<iframe width="560" height="315" align=right src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P55fU_ll3Sg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</html>

[[Category:Food and Agriculture]]

Duckweed-Ponics

2017-06-10T23:39:39Z

Rasmus: categorized

[[File:4469419678_fa36e0c45a_z.jpg|500px|thumb|right|duckweed microfarm for fish food]]

[[Duckweed]] integrates very well into [[aquaponics]] - that has been called [[Duckweed-Ponics|"duckweed-ponics"]] (see: [https://hawaiianparadisecoop.wordpress.com/2013/02/25/duckweed-ponics/ link]). Duckweed thrives on the wastewater that fish leave behind, filtering the water so that it can be reused.

<html>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4ksnnwxlq1g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</html>

==Links==
*Guide: [http://homeguides.sfgate.com/grow-duckweed-aquaponics-84866.html "How to Grow Duckweed in Aquaponics"]

[[Category:Food and Agriculture]]

Tree Fodder

2017-06-10T23:34:14Z

Rasmus:

[[File:SpringMeadowWillow.jpg|thumb|right|640px|Meadow with willow tree.]]

Trees can be used as a great source of fodder for livestock. This may be especially suitable for areas that experience dry summers or droughts. Poplars and willows are most often used for this purpose, and are often planted for other reasons already, such as erosion control or shade. Both are eagerly eaten by cattle, goats, etc. Leaves may be rich in protein and trace elements. These trees can be pruned every other summer – and they should be regularly pruned anyway. Leftover branches are useful for various other purposes (e.g. [[Wood Chips|wood chips]], [[Biofuel|fuel]] or [[biochar]]).

Related pages: [[Coppice]], [[Agroforestry]], [[Permaculture]]

[[Category:Food and Agriculture]]
[[Category:Agroforestry]]

Microfluidics

2017-06-10T21:29:39Z

Rasmus: added abstract from paper in Nature Biotech / moved link

{{Category=Health}}
{{Category=Pests and weeds}}

[[File:Microfluidic01.jpg|500px|thumb|right|Microfluidic Chip]]

[[File:Microfluidic Chip iX-factory.jpg|500px|thumb|right|Microfluidic Chip fabricated in Glass. Channels are 50µm deep and 150µm wide.]]

[[File:MicrofluidicDevice.png|500px|thumb|right|A schematic of fluid flowing through a microfluidic device by capillary action.]]

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microfluidics Microfluidics] refers to a set of technologies that control the flow of minute amounts of liquids or gases — typically measured in nano- and picoliters — in a miniaturized system.

Just as a computer chip has carefully-arranged wires that electricity moves around, a microfluidic chip has tiny channels etched onto it that fluids move around. In a biochemistry laboratory, a chemist might pipette some solution out of a flask, mix it with a reagent, fractionate it, or perform other operations on it. The interesting thing is that most of these processes are just a matter of moving liquids around, so they can be replicated with microfluidics. The advantage is that microfluidics is much cheaper, safer and requires less skill. Room-sized diagnostic testing equipment can be shrunk down to the size of a postage stamp. This is also called "lab-on-a-chip".

Applications are as vast as they are revolutionary, and include -
*Medical diagnostics and blood tests
*Medical and chemical research - testing for genes, [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/elps.201000067/abstract chemical separation] and reactions
*Environmental sensing - testing water quality, air quality, monitoring for environmental toxins
*Testing for plant diseases
*Testing soils ([http://2010.igem.org/Team:BCCS-Bristol biosensor example here])
*[[Micromining|mining]]
*developing [[:Category:Biofuels|biofuels]]
*and many more.

==Microfluidics in Open Source Ecology==
We are interested in very cheap, open-source ways of making microfluidic chips. There are plenty of groups working on this; it's a matter of gathering the information.

===DIY microfluidics methods===
*How to make a microfluidic chip using double-sided sellotape, glass slides and a scalpel: [http://www.rsc.org/Publishing/Journals/lc/Chips_and_Tips/Rapid_prototype.asp]. This requires inlet and outlet holes in the slide; perhaps these could be made with a [[Laser cutter|laser cutter]]?
*Complex 3D microfluidic devices made with alternating layers of paper and double-sided tape: [http://www.pnas.org/content/105/50/19606.full]. The tape was cut using a laser cutter. The paper was treated with photoresist (a light-sensitive polymer) and exposed to UV light when masked with a transparency with a pattern printed onto it. Cost of fabricating a chip = $0.03.
* [http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/research/2011/110125ZiaiePaper.html Disposable microfluidic devices created using regular wax paper]
* [http://www.rsc.org/Publishing/ChemTech/Volume/2008/01/Shrinky-Dink_microfluidics.asp Shrinky Dink® microfluidics] - academic paper [http://shrink.eng.uci.edu/papers/2008_Grimes.pdf here]

===Channel designs===
Are there online repositories of channel designs for different purposes?

[http://groups.csail.mit.edu/cag/micado/index.html Micado] is open-source software for designing microfluidic chips.

==Materials and Equipment Used==
Consumables:
*blotter paper
*regular paper
*wax paper, [http://www.shrinkydinks.com/ shrinky-dink]
*transparency film
*cotton thread
*sewing needles
*wood sticks
*[http://www.physorg.com/news195910096.html Jell-O]
*[[Beekeeping|beeswax?]]

Equipment:
*syringes
*cell phone cameras
*plastic lenses for cheap microscopes
*[[Laser cutter]], see [http://diyhpl.us/~bryan/papers/Low-cost%20rapid%20prototyping%20of%20flexible%20microfluidic%20devices%20using%20a%20desktop%20digital%20cutter.pdf Low-cost rapid prototyping of flexible microfluidic devices using a desktop digital craft cutter]

==George Whitesides, Harvard University==
In his legendary career in chemistry, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_M._Whitesides George Whitesides] has been a pioneer in [http://gmwgroup.harvard.edu/research.html microfabrication and nanoscale self-assembly]. Now, he's fabbing a diagnostic lab on a chip.

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</html>

==OpenDiagnostics==
[http://www.open-diagnostics.org/ OpenDiagnostics] are working to develop and promote a new type of open source, paper-based diagnostic. Proof-of-concept for similar tests has already been demonstrated for detecting Zika and Ebola viruses. Since they are low cost, thermally stable, and easy to use, these strips are well suited to bring diagnostic capabilities to the Global South – across areas spanning healthcare, agriculture and environmental monitoring.

Harnessing recent advances in synthetic biology and paper microfluidics, cell-free paper-based diagnostics offer a platform for low cost, in-field tests with a very wide range of possible specificities. Synthetic gene networks can be designed to generate quantifiable outputs, such as chromoproteins, in the presence of specific input signals like heavy metals or viral RNA sequences. These are freeze-dried onto paper, along with the cellular machinery used for gene transcription and translation. When rehydrated, rapid determination of the presence/absence of a substance of interest can be made. With a simple visible readout, little or no laboratory experience or infrastructure is required.

==Metafluidics==
Abstract from 2017 paper in ''Nature Biotech'' (open access): [http://www.nature.com/nbt/journal/v35/n6/full/nbt.3873.html '''"Open-source, community-driven microfluidics with Metafluidics"''']

Microfluidic devices have the potential to automate and miniaturize biological experiments, but open-source sharing of device designs has lagged behind sharing of other resources such as software. Synthetic biologists have used microfluidics for DNA assembly, cell-free expression, and cell culture, but a combination of expense, device complexity, and reliance on custom set-ups hampers their widespread adoption. We present [https://metafluidics.org/ Metafluidics], an open-source, community-driven repository that hosts digital design files, assembly specifications, and open-source software to enable users to build, configure, and operate a microfluidic device. We use Metafluidics to share designs and fabrication instructions for both a microfluidic ring-mixer device and a 32-channel tabletop microfluidic controller. This device and controller are applied to build genetic circuits using standard DNA assembly methods including ligation, Gateway, Gibson, and Golden Gate. Metafluidics is intended to enable a broad community of engineers, DIY enthusiasts, and other nontraditional participants with limited fabrication skills to contribute to microfluidic research.

==Further Reading==
* Wikipedia: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microfluidics Microfluidics] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lab_on_a_chip Lab-on-a-chip]
* [http://diybio.org/ DIY Bio]
* [http://www.dfa.org/ Diagnostics For All]
* [http://www.daktaridx.com/ Daktari]

Microfluidics

2017-06-10T21:23:04Z

Rasmus: added another image

{{Category=Health}}
{{Category=Pests and weeds}}

[[File:Microfluidic01.jpg|500px|thumb|right|Microfluidic Chip]]

[[File:Microfluidic Chip iX-factory.jpg|500px|thumb|right|Microfluidic Chip fabricated in Glass. Channels are 50µm deep and 150µm wide.]]

[[File:MicrofluidicDevice.png|500px|thumb|right|A schematic of fluid flowing through a microfluidic device by capillary action.]]

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microfluidics Microfluidics] refers to a set of technologies that control the flow of minute amounts of liquids or gases — typically measured in nano- and picoliters — in a miniaturized system.

Just as a computer chip has carefully-arranged wires that electricity moves around, a microfluidic chip has tiny channels etched onto it that fluids move around. In a biochemistry laboratory, a chemist might pipette some solution out of a flask, mix it with a reagent, fractionate it, or perform other operations on it. The interesting thing is that most of these processes are just a matter of moving liquids around, so they can be replicated with microfluidics. The advantage is that microfluidics is much cheaper, safer and requires less skill. Room-sized diagnostic testing equipment can be shrunk down to the size of a postage stamp. This is also called "lab-on-a-chip".

Applications are as vast as they are revolutionary, and include -
*Medical diagnostics and blood tests
*Medical and chemical research - testing for genes, [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/elps.201000067/abstract chemical separation] and reactions
*Environmental sensing - testing water quality, air quality, monitoring for environmental toxins
*Testing for plant diseases
*Testing soils ([http://2010.igem.org/Team:BCCS-Bristol biosensor example here])
*[[Micromining|mining]]
*developing [[:Category:Biofuels|biofuels]]
*and many more.

==Microfluidics in Open Source Ecology==
We are interested in very cheap, open-source ways of making microfluidic chips. There are plenty of groups working on this; it's a matter of gathering the information.

===DIY microfluidics methods===
*How to make a microfluidic chip using double-sided sellotape, glass slides and a scalpel: [http://www.rsc.org/Publishing/Journals/lc/Chips_and_Tips/Rapid_prototype.asp]. This requires inlet and outlet holes in the slide; perhaps these could be made with a [[Laser cutter|laser cutter]]?
*Complex 3D microfluidic devices made with alternating layers of paper and double-sided tape: [http://www.pnas.org/content/105/50/19606.full]. The tape was cut using a laser cutter. The paper was treated with photoresist (a light-sensitive polymer) and exposed to UV light when masked with a transparency with a pattern printed onto it. Cost of fabricating a chip = $0.03.
* [http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/research/2011/110125ZiaiePaper.html Disposable microfluidic devices created using regular wax paper]
* [http://www.rsc.org/Publishing/ChemTech/Volume/2008/01/Shrinky-Dink_microfluidics.asp Shrinky Dink® microfluidics] - academic paper [http://shrink.eng.uci.edu/papers/2008_Grimes.pdf here]

===Channel designs===
Are there online repositories of channel designs for different purposes?

[http://groups.csail.mit.edu/cag/micado/index.html Micado] is open-source software for designing microfluidic chips.

==Materials and Equipment Used==
Consumables:
*blotter paper
*regular paper
*wax paper, [http://www.shrinkydinks.com/ shrinky-dink]
*transparency film
*cotton thread
*sewing needles
*wood sticks
*[http://www.physorg.com/news195910096.html Jell-O]
*[[Beekeeping|beeswax?]]

Equipment:
*syringes
*cell phone cameras
*plastic lenses for cheap microscopes
*[[Laser cutter]], see [http://diyhpl.us/~bryan/papers/Low-cost%20rapid%20prototyping%20of%20flexible%20microfluidic%20devices%20using%20a%20desktop%20digital%20cutter.pdf Low-cost rapid prototyping of flexible microfluidic devices using a desktop digital craft cutter]

==George Whitesides, Harvard University==
In his legendary career in chemistry, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_M._Whitesides George Whitesides] has been a pioneer in [http://gmwgroup.harvard.edu/research.html microfabrication and nanoscale self-assembly]. Now, he's fabbing a diagnostic lab on a chip.

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</html>

==OpenDiagnostics==
[http://www.open-diagnostics.org/ OpenDiagnostics] are working to develop and promote a new type of open source, paper-based diagnostic. Proof-of-concept for similar tests has already been demonstrated for detecting Zika and Ebola viruses. Since they are low cost, thermally stable, and easy to use, these strips are well suited to bring diagnostic capabilities to the Global South – across areas spanning healthcare, agriculture and environmental monitoring.

Harnessing recent advances in synthetic biology and paper microfluidics, cell-free paper-based diagnostics offer a platform for low cost, in-field tests with a very wide range of possible specificities. Synthetic gene networks can be designed to generate quantifiable outputs, such as chromoproteins, in the presence of specific input signals like heavy metals or viral RNA sequences. These are freeze-dried onto paper, along with the cellular machinery used for gene transcription and translation. When rehydrated, rapid determination of the presence/absence of a substance of interest can be made. With a simple visible readout, little or no laboratory experience or infrastructure is required.

==Further Reading==
* Wikipedia: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microfluidics Microfluidics] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lab_on_a_chip Lab-on-a-chip]
* [http://diybio.org/ DIY Bio]
* [http://www.dfa.org/ Diagnostics For All]
* [http://www.daktaridx.com/ Daktari]
* Nature Biotech (open access): [http://www.nature.com/nbt/journal/v35/n6/full/nbt.3873.html "Open-source, community-driven microfluidics with Metafluidics"]

File:MicrofluidicDevice.png

2017-06-10T21:20:17Z

Rasmus: Loc: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AMicrofluidicDevice.png Attrib: By AmandaLevenson (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Loc: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AMicrofluidicDevice.png

Attrib: By AmandaLevenson (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Microfluidics

2017-06-10T21:16:38Z

Rasmus: added another image

{{Category=Health}}
{{Category=Pests and weeds}}
[[File:Microfluidic01.jpg|500px|thumb|right|Microfluidic Chip]]

[[File:Microfluidic Chip iX-factory.jpg|500px|thumb|right|Microfluidic Chip fabricated in Glass. Channels are 50µm deep and 150µm wide.]]

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microfluidics Microfluidics] refers to a set of technologies that control the flow of minute amounts of liquids or gases — typically measured in nano- and picoliters — in a miniaturized system.

Just as a computer chip has carefully-arranged wires that electricity moves around, a microfluidic chip has tiny channels etched onto it that fluids move around. In a biochemistry laboratory, a chemist might pipette some solution out of a flask, mix it with a reagent, fractionate it, or perform other operations on it. The interesting thing is that most of these processes are just a matter of moving liquids around, so they can be replicated with microfluidics. The advantage is that microfluidics is much cheaper, safer and requires less skill. Room-sized diagnostic testing equipment can be shrunk down to the size of a postage stamp. This is also called "lab-on-a-chip".

Applications are as vast as they are revolutionary, and include -
*Medical diagnostics and blood tests
*Medical and chemical research - testing for genes, [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/elps.201000067/abstract chemical separation] and reactions
*Environmental sensing - testing water quality, air quality, monitoring for environmental toxins
*Testing for plant diseases
*Testing soils ([http://2010.igem.org/Team:BCCS-Bristol biosensor example here])
*[[Micromining|mining]]
*developing [[:Category:Biofuels|biofuels]]
*and many more.

==Microfluidics in Open Source Ecology==
We are interested in very cheap, open-source ways of making microfluidic chips. There are plenty of groups working on this; it's a matter of gathering the information.

===DIY microfluidics methods===
*How to make a microfluidic chip using double-sided sellotape, glass slides and a scalpel: [http://www.rsc.org/Publishing/Journals/lc/Chips_and_Tips/Rapid_prototype.asp]. This requires inlet and outlet holes in the slide; perhaps these could be made with a [[Laser cutter|laser cutter]]?
*Complex 3D microfluidic devices made with alternating layers of paper and double-sided tape: [http://www.pnas.org/content/105/50/19606.full]. The tape was cut using a laser cutter. The paper was treated with photoresist (a light-sensitive polymer) and exposed to UV light when masked with a transparency with a pattern printed onto it. Cost of fabricating a chip = $0.03.
* [http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/research/2011/110125ZiaiePaper.html Disposable microfluidic devices created using regular wax paper]
* [http://www.rsc.org/Publishing/ChemTech/Volume/2008/01/Shrinky-Dink_microfluidics.asp Shrinky Dink® microfluidics] - academic paper [http://shrink.eng.uci.edu/papers/2008_Grimes.pdf here]

===Channel designs===
Are there online repositories of channel designs for different purposes?

[http://groups.csail.mit.edu/cag/micado/index.html Micado] is open-source software for designing microfluidic chips.

==Materials and Equipment Used==
Consumables:
*blotter paper
*regular paper
*wax paper, [http://www.shrinkydinks.com/ shrinky-dink]
*transparency film
*cotton thread
*sewing needles
*wood sticks
*[http://www.physorg.com/news195910096.html Jell-O]
*[[Beekeeping|beeswax?]]

Equipment:
*syringes
*cell phone cameras
*plastic lenses for cheap microscopes
*[[Laser cutter]], see [http://diyhpl.us/~bryan/papers/Low-cost%20rapid%20prototyping%20of%20flexible%20microfluidic%20devices%20using%20a%20desktop%20digital%20cutter.pdf Low-cost rapid prototyping of flexible microfluidic devices using a desktop digital craft cutter]

==George Whitesides, Harvard University==
In his legendary career in chemistry, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_M._Whitesides George Whitesides] has been a pioneer in [http://gmwgroup.harvard.edu/research.html microfabrication and nanoscale self-assembly]. Now, he's fabbing a diagnostic lab on a chip.

<html>
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==OpenDiagnostics==
[http://www.open-diagnostics.org/ OpenDiagnostics] are working to develop and promote a new type of open source, paper-based diagnostic. Proof-of-concept for similar tests has already been demonstrated for detecting Zika and Ebola viruses. Since they are low cost, thermally stable, and easy to use, these strips are well suited to bring diagnostic capabilities to the Global South – across areas spanning healthcare, agriculture and environmental monitoring.

Harnessing recent advances in synthetic biology and paper microfluidics, cell-free paper-based diagnostics offer a platform for low cost, in-field tests with a very wide range of possible specificities. Synthetic gene networks can be designed to generate quantifiable outputs, such as chromoproteins, in the presence of specific input signals like heavy metals or viral RNA sequences. These are freeze-dried onto paper, along with the cellular machinery used for gene transcription and translation. When rehydrated, rapid determination of the presence/absence of a substance of interest can be made. With a simple visible readout, little or no laboratory experience or infrastructure is required.

==Further Reading==
* Wikipedia: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microfluidics Microfluidics] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lab_on_a_chip Lab-on-a-chip]
* [http://diybio.org/ DIY Bio]
* [http://www.dfa.org/ Diagnostics For All]
* [http://www.daktaridx.com/ Daktari]
* Nature Biotech (open access): [http://www.nature.com/nbt/journal/v35/n6/full/nbt.3873.html "Open-source, community-driven microfluidics with Metafluidics"]

File:Microfluidic Chip iX-factory.jpg

2017-06-10T21:15:26Z

Rasmus: Loc: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AMicrofluidic_Chip_iX-factory.jpg Attrib: By IX-factory STK (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Loc: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AMicrofluidic_Chip_iX-factory.jpg

Attrib: By IX-factory STK (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Microfluidics

2017-06-10T21:04:40Z

Rasmus: /* Further Reading */ added link to new paper

{{Category=Health}}
{{Category=Pests and weeds}}
[[File:Microfluidic01.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Microfluidic Chip]]

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microfluidics Microfluidics] refers to a set of technologies that control the flow of minute amounts of liquids or gases — typically measured in nano- and picoliters — in a miniaturized system.

Just as a computer chip has carefully-arranged wires that electricity moves around, a microfluidic chip has tiny channels etched onto it that fluids move around. In a biochemistry laboratory, a chemist might pipette some solution out of a flask, mix it with a reagent, fractionate it, or perform other operations on it. The interesting thing is that most of these processes are just a matter of moving liquids around, so they can be replicated with microfluidics. The advantage is that microfluidics is much cheaper, safer and requires less skill. Room-sized diagnostic testing equipment can be shrunk down to the size of a postage stamp. This is also called "lab-on-a-chip".

Applications are as vast as they are revolutionary, and include -
*Medical diagnostics and blood tests
*Medical and chemical research - testing for genes, [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/elps.201000067/abstract chemical separation] and reactions
*Environmental sensing - testing water quality, air quality, monitoring for environmental toxins
*Testing for plant diseases
*Testing soils ([http://2010.igem.org/Team:BCCS-Bristol biosensor example here])
*[[Micromining|mining]]
*developing [[:Category:Biofuels|biofuels]]
*and many more.

==Microfluidics in Open Source Ecology==
We are interested in very cheap, open-source ways of making microfluidic chips. There are plenty of groups working on this; it's a matter of gathering the information.

===DIY microfluidics methods===
*How to make a microfluidic chip using double-sided sellotape, glass slides and a scalpel: [http://www.rsc.org/Publishing/Journals/lc/Chips_and_Tips/Rapid_prototype.asp]. This requires inlet and outlet holes in the slide; perhaps these could be made with a [[Laser cutter|laser cutter]]?
*Complex 3D microfluidic devices made with alternating layers of paper and double-sided tape: [http://www.pnas.org/content/105/50/19606.full]. The tape was cut using a laser cutter. The paper was treated with photoresist (a light-sensitive polymer) and exposed to UV light when masked with a transparency with a pattern printed onto it. Cost of fabricating a chip = $0.03.
* [http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/research/2011/110125ZiaiePaper.html Disposable microfluidic devices created using regular wax paper]
* [http://www.rsc.org/Publishing/ChemTech/Volume/2008/01/Shrinky-Dink_microfluidics.asp Shrinky Dink® microfluidics] - academic paper [http://shrink.eng.uci.edu/papers/2008_Grimes.pdf here]

===Channel designs===
Are there online repositories of channel designs for different purposes?

[http://groups.csail.mit.edu/cag/micado/index.html Micado] is open-source software for designing microfluidic chips.

==Materials and Equipment Used==
Consumables:
*blotter paper
*regular paper
*wax paper, [http://www.shrinkydinks.com/ shrinky-dink]
*transparency film
*cotton thread
*sewing needles
*wood sticks
*[http://www.physorg.com/news195910096.html Jell-O]
*[[Beekeeping|beeswax?]]

Equipment:
*syringes
*cell phone cameras
*plastic lenses for cheap microscopes
*[[Laser cutter]], see [http://diyhpl.us/~bryan/papers/Low-cost%20rapid%20prototyping%20of%20flexible%20microfluidic%20devices%20using%20a%20desktop%20digital%20cutter.pdf Low-cost rapid prototyping of flexible microfluidic devices using a desktop digital craft cutter]

==George Whitesides, Harvard University==
In his legendary career in chemistry, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_M._Whitesides George Whitesides] has been a pioneer in [http://gmwgroup.harvard.edu/research.html microfabrication and nanoscale self-assembly]. Now, he's fabbing a diagnostic lab on a chip.

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==OpenDiagnostics==
[http://www.open-diagnostics.org/ OpenDiagnostics] are working to develop and promote a new type of open source, paper-based diagnostic. Proof-of-concept for similar tests has already been demonstrated for detecting Zika and Ebola viruses. Since they are low cost, thermally stable, and easy to use, these strips are well suited to bring diagnostic capabilities to the Global South – across areas spanning healthcare, agriculture and environmental monitoring.

Harnessing recent advances in synthetic biology and paper microfluidics, cell-free paper-based diagnostics offer a platform for low cost, in-field tests with a very wide range of possible specificities. Synthetic gene networks can be designed to generate quantifiable outputs, such as chromoproteins, in the presence of specific input signals like heavy metals or viral RNA sequences. These are freeze-dried onto paper, along with the cellular machinery used for gene transcription and translation. When rehydrated, rapid determination of the presence/absence of a substance of interest can be made. With a simple visible readout, little or no laboratory experience or infrastructure is required.

==Further Reading==
* Wikipedia: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microfluidics Microfluidics] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lab_on_a_chip Lab-on-a-chip]
* [http://diybio.org/ DIY Bio]
* [http://www.dfa.org/ Diagnostics For All]
* [http://www.daktaridx.com/ Daktari]
* Nature Biotech (open access): [http://www.nature.com/nbt/journal/v35/n6/full/nbt.3873.html "Open-source, community-driven microfluidics with Metafluidics"]

Radical Homemakers

2017-06-09T19:27:16Z

Rasmus: fixed more broken links, deleted section

In her recent book, [http://radicalhomemakers.com/ "Radical Homemakers"], author Shannon Hayes presents the results of interviews she performed with ''" pioneering men and women who are redefining feminism and the good life by adhering to simple principles of ecological sustainability, social justice, community engagement and family well-being. It explores the values, skills, motivations, accomplishments, power, challenges, joy and creative fulfillment of Americans who are endeavoring to change the world by first reclaiming control of home and hearth."''

== Links ==
* website [http://radicalhomemakers.com/ Radical Homemakers]
* Amazon.com: [http://www.amazon.com/Radical-Homemakers-Reclaiming-Domesticity-Consumer/dp/0979439116/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294586321&sr=8-1 Radical Homemakers: Reclaiming Domesticity from a Consumer Culture]
* Shannon Hayes on the [http://dietsoap.podomatic.com/entry/2010-05-27T01_15_25-07_00 Diet Soap Podcast]
* [http://thearchdruidreport.blogspot.ca/2008/07/reviving-household-economy.html John Michael Greer: Reviving the Household Economy, Part One: The World Outside the Market]
* [http://thearchdruidreport.blogspot.ca/2008/08/reviving-household-economy.html John Michael Greer: Reviving the Household Economy, Part Two: The Decline and Fall of Home Economics]
* [http://www.yesmagazine.org/blogs/shannon-hayes Shannon Hayes' Blog on YES! Magazine]

[[Category: Notes]]
[[Category: Links]]