Biochar

Background

[this article is still a work in progress, a mess]

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. These are now recognized to be largely pyrogenic in origin, having originated from prairie fires. The carbon in this "black earth" is often thousands of years old, demonstrating its stability in soil.

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]