Biochar Crusher - Revision history

Eric: Cleaned Page Up a Bit (To better format standards etc)

2019-05-28T03:12:10Z

Cleaned Page Up a Bit (To better format standards etc)

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:12, 28 May 2019
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	[[File:CharcoalPowder01.jpg\|500px\|thumb\|right\|Fine powdery biochar may be needed for some applications, and would require a crusher or grinder. Injection of biochar into subsoil will also likely require powdery texture.]]		[[File:CharcoalPowder01.jpg\|500px\|thumb\|right\|Fine powdery biochar may be needed for some applications, and would require a crusher or grinder. Injection of biochar into subsoil will also likely require powdery texture.]]

	==Problem Statement==		=Problem Statement=
	If [[biochar]] is still in larger chunks after pyrolysis, it may need to be processed into smaller pieces or even into a powder before further uses. There is an ongoing debate in the [[biochar]] community as to how far down in size these pieces need to be crushed, and whether or not it is really necessary to further grind them down to a fine powder. Some people think this is not necessary, and that it is fine to use the smaller pieces when applying to soil. Natural processes such as the freeze-thaw cycle and plant root intrusion may already break down the pieces over time.		If [[biochar]] is still in larger chunks after pyrolysis, it may need to be processed into smaller pieces or even into a powder before further uses. There is an ongoing debate in the [[biochar]] community as to how far down in size these pieces need to be crushed, and whether or not it is really necessary to further grind them down to a fine powder. Some people think this is not necessary, and that it is fine to use the smaller pieces when applying to soil. Natural processes such as the freeze-thaw cycle and plant root intrusion may already break down the pieces over time.

	Typical biochar processing steps after pyrolysis include crushing, screening, adding liquids (such as fertilizer, e.g. ~~pee~~ and microbes, e.g. from compost tea). The Crusher could be an important technology for [[The Biochar Economy]], although it remains to be seen how important.		Typical biochar processing steps after pyrolysis include crushing, screening, adding liquids (such as fertilizer, e.g. urine and microbes, e.g. from compost tea). The Crusher could be an important technology for [[The Biochar Economy]], although it remains to be seen how important.

	==Proposed Solution: Open Source Biochar Crusher==		=Proposed Solution: Open Source Biochar Crusher=
	The proposal is to design and build an open source char crusher (alternative names: pulverizer, grinder). Possible technical approaches are:		The proposal is to design and build an open source char crusher (alternative names: pulverizer, grinder). Possible technical approaches are:
	*shredder-type (see first video below)		*shredder-type (see first video below)
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	*roller mill (counter-rotating drums that crush the pieces between them)		*roller mill (counter-rotating drums that crush the pieces between them)

	==Important Design Considerations==		=Important Design Considerations=
	* Charcoal dust, when mixed with air, can lead to a flammable gas-like mixture. The crushing process can therefore potentially result in a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_explosion "coal dust explosion"] (!), especially when moving steel surfaces are involved. This can be avoided by wetting the biochar before it goes into the crusher, although this may necessitate changes in the design of the machine.		* Charcoal dust, when mixed with air, can lead to a flammable gas-like mixture. The crushing process can therefore potentially result in a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_explosion "coal dust explosion"] (!), especially when moving steel surfaces are involved. This can be avoided by wetting the biochar before it goes into the crusher, although this may necessitate changes in the design of the machine.
	* Biochar consistency will vary with feedstock: char made from dense wood or nut hulls will have different properties than char made from straw. However, most chars are soft and easy to crush.		* Biochar consistency will vary with feedstock: char made from dense wood or nut hulls will have different properties than char made from straw. However, most chars are soft and easy to crush.
Line 20:		Line 20:
	* Char dust exposure is a problem for human health, and good machine design should minimize it.		* Char dust exposure is a problem for human health, and good machine design should minimize it.

	==Video collection==		=Video collection=
	<html>		<html>
	<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2YH1UOI8ulg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>		<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2YH1UOI8ulg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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	</html>		</html>

	==~~Link collection~~==		=See Also=
			*[[Open Source Fuels Construction Set]]

			=Useful Links=
	* The Walden Effect: [http://www.waldeneffect.org/blog/Do_I__need_to_crush_biochar__63__/ "To crush or not?"]		* The Walden Effect: [http://www.waldeneffect.org/blog/Do_I__need_to_crush_biochar__63__/ "To crush or not?"]
	* Appropedia: [http://www.appropedia.org/Corn_Cob_Charcoal_Crusher Corn Cob Charcoal Crusher]		* Appropedia: [http://www.appropedia.org/Corn_Cob_Charcoal_Crusher Corn Cob Charcoal Crusher]

Rasmus: inserted link

2017-04-21T14:32:25Z

inserted link

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:32, 21 April 2017
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	* Appropedia: [http://www.appropedia.org/Corn_Cob_Charcoal_Crusher Corn Cob Charcoal Crusher]		* Appropedia: [http://www.appropedia.org/Corn_Cob_Charcoal_Crusher Corn Cob Charcoal Crusher]
	* Biocharproject: [http://biocharproject.org/charmasters-log/biochar-grinder/ "Biochar grinder – We call it the Carbonator..."]		* Biocharproject: [http://biocharproject.org/charmasters-log/biochar-grinder/ "Biochar grinder – We call it the Carbonator..."]
			* Huckins Forge: [http://www.huckinsforge.com/implements-album/biochar-grinder/ BioChar Grinder] (rotating drums)

	[[Category:Biochar]]		[[Category:Biochar]]

Rasmus at 13:35, 21 April 2017

2017-04-21T13:35:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:35, 21 April 2017
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	==Problem Statement==		==Problem Statement==
	If [[biochar]] is still in larger chunks after pyrolysis, it may need to be processed into a powder before further ~~use~~. There is an ongoing debate in the [[biochar]] community as to how far down in size these pieces need to be crushed, and whether or not it is necessary to further grind them down to a fine powder. ~~Many~~ people think this is not necessary, and that it is fine to use the smaller pieces when applying to soil. Natural processes such as the freeze-thaw cycle and plant root intrusion may already break down the pieces over time.		If [[biochar]] is still in larger chunks after pyrolysis, it may need to be processed into smaller pieces or even into a powder before further uses. There is an ongoing debate in the [[biochar]] community as to how far down in size these pieces need to be crushed, and whether or not it is really necessary to further grind them down to a fine powder. Some people think this is not necessary, and that it is fine to use the smaller pieces when applying to soil. Natural processes such as the freeze-thaw cycle and plant root intrusion may already break down the pieces over time.

	Typical biochar processing steps after pyrolysis include crushing, screening, adding liquids (such as fertilizer, e.g. pee and microbes, e.g. from compost tea). The Crusher could be an important technology for [[The Biochar Economy]], although it remains to be seen how important.		Typical biochar processing steps after pyrolysis include crushing, screening, adding liquids (such as fertilizer, e.g. pee and microbes, e.g. from compost tea). The Crusher could be an important technology for [[The Biochar Economy]], although it remains to be seen how important.

	==Proposed Solution: Open Source Biochar Crusher==		==Proposed Solution: Open Source Biochar Crusher==
	The proposal is to design and build an open source ~~biochar~~ crusher (alternative names: pulverizer, grinder). Possible technical approaches are:		The proposal is to design and build an open source char crusher (alternative names: pulverizer, grinder). Possible technical approaches are:
	*shredder-type (see first video below)		*shredder-type (see first video below)
	*meatgrinder-type (see second video below)		*meatgrinder-type (see second video below)
Line 14:		Line 14:
	*roller mill (counter-rotating drums that crush the pieces between them)		*roller mill (counter-rotating drums that crush the pieces between them)

	==Important Considerations==		==Important Design Considerations==
	* Charcoal dust, when mixed with air, can lead to a flammable gas-like mixture. The crushing process can therefore potentially result in a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_explosion "coal dust explosion"] (!), especially when moving steel surfaces are involved. This can be avoided by wetting the biochar before it goes into the crusher, although this may necessitate changes in the design of the machine.		* Charcoal dust, when mixed with air, can lead to a flammable gas-like mixture. The crushing process can therefore potentially result in a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_explosion "coal dust explosion"] (!), especially when moving steel surfaces are involved. This can be avoided by wetting the biochar before it goes into the crusher, although this may necessitate changes in the design of the machine.
	* Char dust exposure is a problem for human health, and good machine design can minimize that.		* Biochar consistency will vary with feedstock: char made from dense wood or nut hulls will have different properties than char made from straw. However, most chars are soft and easy to crush.
	* Biochar consistency will vary with feedstock: char made from dense wood or nut hulls will have different properties than char made from straw. However, most chars are soft and easy to crush.
	* Biochar may be somewhat abrasive.		* Biochar may be somewhat abrasive.
			* Char dust exposure is a problem for human health, and good machine design should minimize it.

	==Video collection==		==Video collection==

Rasmus at 13:48, 20 April 2017

2017-04-20T13:48:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:48, 20 April 2017
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	==Problem Statement==		==Problem Statement==
	If [[biochar]] is still in larger chunks after pyrolysis may need to be processed into a powder before further use. There is an ongoing debate in the [[biochar]] community as to how far down in size these pieces need to be crushed, and whether it is necessary to further grind them down to a fine powder ~~or not~~. Many people think this is not necessary, and that it is fine to use the smaller pieces when applying ~~the biochar~~ to soil. Natural processes such as freeze-thaw ~~cycles~~ and plant root intrusion may already break down the pieces. Typical biochar processing steps after pyrolysis include crushing, screening, adding liquids (such as fertilizer, e.g. pee and microbes, e.g. from compost tea). The Crusher could be an important technology for [[The Biochar Economy]], although it ~~is not clear~~ how important.		If [[biochar]] is still in larger chunks after pyrolysis, it may need to be processed into a powder before further use. There is an ongoing debate in the [[biochar]] community as to how far down in size these pieces need to be crushed, and whether or not it is necessary to further grind them down to a fine powder. Many people think this is not necessary, and that it is fine to use the smaller pieces when applying to soil. Natural processes such as the freeze-thaw cycle and plant root intrusion may already break down the pieces over time.

			Typical biochar processing steps after pyrolysis include crushing, screening, adding liquids (such as fertilizer, e.g. pee and microbes, e.g. from compost tea). The Crusher could be an important technology for [[The Biochar Economy]], although it remains to be seen how important.

	==Proposed Solution: Open Source Biochar Crusher==		==Proposed Solution: Open Source Biochar Crusher==
Line 13:		Line 15:

	==Important Considerations==		==Important Considerations==
	* Charcoal dust, when mixed with air, can lead to a flammable gas-like mixture. The crushing process can therefore potentially result in a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_explosion "coal dust explosion"] (!), especially when moving ~~metal~~ surfaces are involved. This ~~could~~ be avoided by wetting the biochar before it goes into the crusher, although this may necessitate changes in the design of the machine.		* Charcoal dust, when mixed with air, can lead to a flammable gas-like mixture. The crushing process can therefore potentially result in a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_explosion "coal dust explosion"] (!), especially when moving steel surfaces are involved. This can be avoided by wetting the biochar before it goes into the crusher, although this may necessitate changes in the design of the machine.
	* Biochar consistency will vary with feedstock: char made from dense wood or nut hulls will have different properties than char made from straw. ~~Most~~ chars are soft and easy to crush ~~though~~.		* Char dust exposure is a problem for human health, and good machine design can minimize that.
			* Biochar consistency will vary with feedstock: char made from dense wood or nut hulls will have different properties than char made from straw. However, most chars are soft and easy to crush.
	* Biochar may be somewhat abrasive.		* Biochar may be somewhat abrasive.

Rasmus: some shortening

2017-04-20T13:26:14Z

some shortening

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:26, 20 April 2017
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	==Problem Statement==		==Problem Statement==
	~~After pyrolysis,~~ [[biochar]]~~, especially when made from wood,~~ is ~~often made up of~~ larger chunks~~. These are often too big for use as a soil amendment and will~~ need to be ~~crushed~~. There is an ongoing debate in the [[biochar]] community as to how far down in size these pieces need to be crushed, and whether it is necessary to further grind ~~pieces~~ down to fine powder or not. ~~A lot of~~ people think this is not necessary, and that it is fine to use the smaller pieces when applying the biochar to soil. Natural processes such as freeze-thaw cycles and plant root intrusion may already break down the pieces. Typical biochar processing steps after pyrolysis include crushing, screening, adding liquids (such as fertilizer, e.g. pee and microbes, e.g. from compost tea). The Crusher could be an important technology for [[The Biochar Economy]], although it is not clear how important.		If [[biochar]] is still in larger chunks after pyrolysis may need to be processed into a powder before further use. There is an ongoing debate in the [[biochar]] community as to how far down in size these pieces need to be crushed, and whether it is necessary to further grind them down to a fine powder or not. Many people think this is not necessary, and that it is fine to use the smaller pieces when applying the biochar to soil. Natural processes such as freeze-thaw cycles and plant root intrusion may already break down the pieces. Typical biochar processing steps after pyrolysis include crushing, screening, adding liquids (such as fertilizer, e.g. pee and microbes, e.g. from compost tea). The Crusher could be an important technology for [[The Biochar Economy]], although it is not clear how important.

	==Proposed Solution: Open Source Biochar Crusher==		==Proposed Solution: Open Source Biochar Crusher==

Rasmus: /* Proposed Solution: Open Source Biochar Crusher */

2016-12-05T02:27:40Z

Proposed Solution: Open Source Biochar Crusher

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:27, 5 December 2016
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	*tamper		*tamper
	*ball mill		*ball mill
	*counter-rotating drums that crush the pieces between them ~~(''what is that called?''~~)		*roller mill (counter-rotating drums that crush the pieces between them)

	==Important Considerations==		==Important Considerations==

Rasmus: inserted categorization

2016-08-21T17:11:40Z

inserted categorization

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:11, 21 August 2016
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	* Appropedia: [http://www.appropedia.org/Corn_Cob_Charcoal_Crusher Corn Cob Charcoal Crusher]		* Appropedia: [http://www.appropedia.org/Corn_Cob_Charcoal_Crusher Corn Cob Charcoal Crusher]
	* Biocharproject: [http://biocharproject.org/charmasters-log/biochar-grinder/ "Biochar grinder – We call it the Carbonator..."]		* Biocharproject: [http://biocharproject.org/charmasters-log/biochar-grinder/ "Biochar grinder – We call it the Carbonator..."]

			[[Category:Biochar]]

Rasmus at 22:17, 11 August 2016

2016-08-11T22:17:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:17, 11 August 2016
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	[[File:CharcoalPowder01.jpg\|500px\|thumb\|right\|Fine powdery biochar may be ~~required~~ for some applications, and would require a crusher or grinder.]]		[[File:CharcoalPowder01.jpg\|500px\|thumb\|right\|Fine powdery biochar may be needed for some applications, and would require a crusher or grinder. Injection of biochar into subsoil will also likely require powdery texture.]]

	==Problem Statement==		==Problem Statement==

Rasmus: + image

2016-08-11T21:33:11Z

+ image

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:33, 11 August 2016
Line 1:		Line 1:
			[[File:CharcoalPowder01.jpg\|500px\|thumb\|right\|Fine powdery biochar may be required for some applications, and would require a crusher or grinder.]]

	==Problem Statement==		==Problem Statement==
	After pyrolysis, [[biochar]], especially when made from wood, is often made up of larger chunks. These are often too big for use as a soil amendment and will need to be crushed. There is an ongoing debate in the [[biochar]] community as to how far down in size these pieces need to be crushed, and whether it is necessary to further grind pieces down to fine powder or not. A lot of people think this is not necessary, and that it is fine to use the smaller pieces when applying the biochar to soil. Natural processes such as freeze-thaw cycles and plant root intrusion may already break down the pieces. Typical biochar processing steps after pyrolysis include crushing, screening, adding liquids (such as fertilizer, e.g. pee and microbes, e.g. from compost tea). The Crusher could be an important technology for [[The Biochar Economy]], although it is not clear how important.		After pyrolysis, [[biochar]], especially when made from wood, is often made up of larger chunks. These are often too big for use as a soil amendment and will need to be crushed. There is an ongoing debate in the [[biochar]] community as to how far down in size these pieces need to be crushed, and whether it is necessary to further grind pieces down to fine powder or not. A lot of people think this is not necessary, and that it is fine to use the smaller pieces when applying the biochar to soil. Natural processes such as freeze-thaw cycles and plant root intrusion may already break down the pieces. Typical biochar processing steps after pyrolysis include crushing, screening, adding liquids (such as fertilizer, e.g. pee and microbes, e.g. from compost tea). The Crusher could be an important technology for [[The Biochar Economy]], although it is not clear how important.

Rasmus: /* Problem Statement */

2016-05-20T10:38:01Z

Problem Statement

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:38, 20 May 2016
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	==Problem Statement==		==Problem Statement==
	After pyrolysis, [[biochar]], especially when made from wood, is often made up of larger chunks. These are often too big for use as a soil amendment and will need to be crushed. There is an ongoing debate in the [[biochar]] community as to how far down in size these pieces need to be crushed, and whether it is necessary to further grind pieces down to fine powder or not. A lot of people think ~~it's~~ not necessary, and that it's fine to use the smaller pieces when applying the biochar to soil. Natural processes such as freeze-thaw cycles and plant root intrusion already break down the pieces. Typical biochar processing steps after pyrolysis include crushing, screening, adding liquids (such as fertilizer, e.g. pee and microbes, e.g. from compost tea). The ~~biochar crusher is one of the technologies that enables~~ [[The Biochar Economy]].		After pyrolysis, [[biochar]], especially when made from wood, is often made up of larger chunks. These are often too big for use as a soil amendment and will need to be crushed. There is an ongoing debate in the [[biochar]] community as to how far down in size these pieces need to be crushed, and whether it is necessary to further grind pieces down to fine powder or not. A lot of people think this is not necessary, and that it is fine to use the smaller pieces when applying the biochar to soil. Natural processes such as freeze-thaw cycles and plant root intrusion may already break down the pieces. Typical biochar processing steps after pyrolysis include crushing, screening, adding liquids (such as fertilizer, e.g. pee and microbes, e.g. from compost tea). The Crusher could be an important technology for [[The Biochar Economy]], although it is not clear how important.

	==Proposed Solution: Open Source Biochar Crusher==		==Proposed Solution: Open Source Biochar Crusher==
	The proposal is to design and build an open source biochar crusher (alternative names: pulverizer, grinder). Possible technical approaches are:		The proposal is to design and build an open source biochar crusher (alternative names: pulverizer, grinder). Possible technical approaches are: