Biochar: Difference between revisions
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=Background | =Background= | ||
[[Image: | [[Image:Biochar2.jpg]] | ||
[this article is still a work in progress] | |||
improve | Biochar helps mitigate the greenhouse effect by 1.) replacing fossil fuels from the energy landscape and 2.) and sequestering atmospheric carbon in a stable soil carbon pool. It can improve water quality by retaining fertilizers. | ||
soil improvement | |||
Part of the biochar process is the sustainable co-production of clean energy and other bio-based products. | |||
Biomass in the agricultural sector of developing countries can be utilized efficiently. | |||
cost-effective utilization of urban, agricultural and forest co-products | |||
Wikipedia entry on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biochar Biochar] | |||
Some of the world's most productive soils (e.g. US Midwest, Russian Chernozem / "black earth") are very rich in carbon. | |||
pyrogenic in origin - prairie fires; thousands of years old / very stable carbon | |||
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soil amelioration, degraded land, | soil amelioration, degraded land, | ||
reduced need for fertilizers | reduced need for fertilizers (e.g. manure), which is significant for the planned [http://openfarmtech.org/index.php?title=Permaculture_Plantout_at_Factor_e_Farm Permaculture Plantout at Factor e Farm]. | ||
increased productivity | |||
increased biomass productivity | |||
efficient use of biomass waste for energy generation | efficient use of biomass waste for energy generation | ||
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biochar and charcoal: need charcoal anyway for other purposes, e.g. metal smelting, so might as well build a kiln | biochar and charcoal: need charcoal anyway for other purposes, e.g. metal smelting, so might as well build a kiln | ||
pyrolysis gas: could be used for energy, as heat source for heating greenhouses, | |||
[http://openfarmtech.org/index.php?title=LifeTrac Lifetrac] can be used to mix soil, till | |||
=Specifics= | |||
pyrolysis | |||
soil: up to 25% char appears to be beneficial | |||
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International Biochar Initiative (IBI) [http://www.biochar-international.org/] | International Biochar Initiative (IBI) [http://www.biochar-international.org/] | ||
BioEnergy Lists: Terra Preta (Biochar) [http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org/] | |||
Biochar Fund [http://biocharfund.com/] | Biochar Fund [http://biocharfund.com/] | ||
Revision as of 03:23, 18 January 2009
Background
[this article is still a work in progress]
Biochar helps mitigate the greenhouse effect by 1.) replacing fossil fuels from the energy landscape and 2.) and sequestering atmospheric carbon in a stable soil carbon pool. It can improve water quality by retaining fertilizers.
soil improvement
Part of the biochar process is the sustainable co-production of clean energy and other bio-based products.
Biomass in the agricultural sector of developing countries can be utilized efficiently.
cost-effective utilization of urban, agricultural and forest co-products
Wikipedia entry on Biochar
Some of the world's most productive soils (e.g. US Midwest, Russian Chernozem / "black earth") are very rich in carbon. pyrogenic in origin - prairie fires; thousands of years old / very stable carbon
The Biochar Economy
(image from Flickr user visionshare by CC license)
Biochar in the OSE context
soil amelioration, degraded land, reduced need for fertilizers (e.g. manure), which is significant for the planned Permaculture Plantout at Factor e Farm.
increased biomass productivity efficient use of biomass waste for energy generation
reduced need for land = reduced startup costs for a global village
biochar and charcoal: need charcoal anyway for other purposes, e.g. metal smelting, so might as well build a kiln
pyrolysis gas: could be used for energy, as heat source for heating greenhouses,
Lifetrac can be used to mix soil, till
Specifics
pyrolysis
soil: up to 25% char appears to be beneficial
Links
Wikipedia entry on Biochar
International Biochar Initiative (IBI) [1]
BioEnergy Lists: Terra Preta (Biochar) [2]
Biochar Fund [3]