The Biochar Economy: Difference between revisions
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{{Category=Food and Agriculture}} | {{Category=Food and Agriculture}} | ||
{{Category=Energy}} | {{Category=Energy}} | ||
[[File:2959038953 31a102dc5d.jpg|800px|thumb|right|Image titled "Biochar Economy" (source: [https://www.flickr.com/photos/visionshare/2959038953/in/photolist-5vtRbZ/ Flickr user Lou Gold])]] | |||
'''Concept:''' Broadly, this refers to various products and processes dealing with [[biochar]], either in its production, transport or end use. Biochar is a carbon-negative product, i.e. its production takes carbon out of the atmosphere and puts it into a form that is stable in soil for a long time ("recalcitrant"). This is an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exothermic exothermic] process: while it does not yield as much energy as full gasification or combustion, it still gives off a lot of useful energy. The idea behind the "Biochar Economy" is to try to embed biochar production into other processes (e.g. co-production, see below). This may or may not make economic sense, depending on the market price achievable for biochar and carbon removal from the atmosphere. If the price for biochar and carbon negativity is very low, then this is less efficient and too expensive, considering only the energy yield per unit of biomass. | '''Concept:''' Broadly, this refers to various products and processes dealing with [[biochar]], either in its production, transport or end use. Biochar is a carbon-negative product, i.e. its production takes carbon out of the atmosphere and puts it into a form that is stable in soil for a long time ("recalcitrant"). This is an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exothermic exothermic] process: while it does not yield as much energy as full gasification or combustion, it still gives off a lot of useful energy. The idea behind the "Biochar Economy" is to try to embed biochar production into other processes (e.g. co-production, see below). This may or may not make economic sense, depending on the market price achievable for biochar and carbon removal from the atmosphere. If the price for biochar and carbon negativity is very low, then this is less efficient and too expensive, considering only the energy yield per unit of biomass. | ||
==Co-Production Concepts== | ==Co-Production Concepts== | ||
[[File:Lime Kiln and biochar co-production.jpg| | [[File:Lime Kiln and biochar co-production.jpg|500px|thumb|right|Co-production concept (see [[Biochar-Lime Co-production System|page]]): combination of lime burning and biochar production. Pyrolysis gases from biochar production are captured and burned in the lime [[kiln]], turning limestone into quicklime.]] | ||
[[File:VSBK mod biochar.jpg| | [[File:VSBK mod biochar.jpg|500px|right|thumb|Co-production concept (see [[Biochar/Brick Co-production System|page]]): combination of [[Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln]] and biochar production. Pyrolysis gases from biochar production are captured and used to fire bricks in a VSBK.]] | ||
Co-production can can mean that the energy/heat released during the biochar process is integrated with another process. Examples include: | Co-production can can mean that the energy/heat released during the biochar process is integrated with another process. Examples include: | ||
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* Electricity: [[pyrolysis]] oil micro-refinery where the gaseous and light fraction of distillates powers a combustion engine | * Electricity: [[pyrolysis]] oil micro-refinery where the gaseous and light fraction of distillates powers a combustion engine | ||
==Related Products== | ==Related Products== | ||
* [[Kon-Tiki Kiln]] | |||
* [[Biochar Crusher]] | |||
* [[Steam_Powered_Wood_Chipper|steam powered wood chipper]] | * [[Steam_Powered_Wood_Chipper|steam powered wood chipper]] | ||
* [[Open_Source_Steam_Weeder|open source steam weeder]] | * [[Open_Source_Steam_Weeder|open source steam weeder]] | ||
* [[The_Charvester_(biochar_producing_tractor)|The "Charvester"]]: a biochar producing tractor | * [[The_Charvester_(biochar_producing_tractor)|The "Charvester"]]: a biochar producing tractor | ||
* [[Aerial_Ropeways#Open_source_ropeway_hardware_for_large-scale_biochar_transport|aerial ropeways]] for efficient biochar transport over long distances | * [[Aerial_Ropeways#Open_source_ropeway_hardware_for_large-scale_biochar_transport|aerial ropeways]] for efficient biochar transport over long distances | ||
* [[Troy Martz Gasifier]] | |||
==Future Dedicated Wiki== | ==Future Dedicated Wiki== | ||
Revision as of 14:11, 23 June 2016
Image titled "Biochar Economy" (source: Flickr user Lou Gold)
Concept: Broadly, this refers to various products and processes dealing with biochar, either in its production, transport or end use. Biochar is a carbon-negative product, i.e. its production takes carbon out of the atmosphere and puts it into a form that is stable in soil for a long time ("recalcitrant"). This is an exothermic process: while it does not yield as much energy as full gasification or combustion, it still gives off a lot of useful energy. The idea behind the "Biochar Economy" is to try to embed biochar production into other processes (e.g. co-production, see below). This may or may not make economic sense, depending on the market price achievable for biochar and carbon removal from the atmosphere. If the price for biochar and carbon negativity is very low, then this is less efficient and too expensive, considering only the energy yield per unit of biomass.
Co-Production Concepts
Co-production concept (see page): combination of Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln and biochar production. Pyrolysis gases from biochar production are captured and used to fire bricks in a VSBK.
Co-production can can mean that the energy/heat released during the biochar process is integrated with another process. Examples include:
- Direct reduced iron (turning iron ore into iron using pyrolysis gases, e.g. in a rotary kiln)
- Biochar/brick co-production system
- Biochar-lime co-production system
- Biochemicals from pyrolysis
- Biochar and Bioasphalt (see: biorefinery)
- Nitrogen fertilizer from pyrolysis gas: the Eprida process
- Electricity: pyrolysis oil micro-refinery where the gaseous and light fraction of distillates powers a combustion engine
Related Products
- Kon-Tiki Kiln
- Biochar Crusher
- steam powered wood chipper
- open source steam weeder
- The "Charvester": a biochar producing tractor
- aerial ropeways for efficient biochar transport over long distances
- Troy Martz Gasifier
Future Dedicated Wiki
The number of applications for such a new ecomomy is vast. Therefore, a dedicated wiki is needed. Any interested participants please raise your hands, contact the author of this page (see history tab).
Links
- Climate CoLab entry: "Carbon-negative biochar economies"
- Facebook group: The Biochar Economy