The Biochar Factory

Structural composition      Thermal degradation of cellulose between 250ºC and 350ºC results in considerable mass loss in the form of volatiles, leaving behind a rigid amorphous C matrix. As the pyrolysis temperature increases, so thus the proportion of aromatic carbon in the biochar, due to the relative increase in the loss of volatile matter (initially water, followed by hydrocarbons, tarry vapors, H2, CO and CO2), and the conversion of alkyl and O-alkyl C to aryl C (Baldock and Smernik, 2002; Demirbas, 2004). Source:  http://venice.umwblogs.org/exhibit/the-conservation-of-venetian-building-materials/wood/    Around 330ºC, polyaromatic graphene sheets begin to grow laterally, at the expense of the amorphous C phase, and eventually coalesce. Above 600ºC, carbonization becomes the dominant process. Carbonization is marked by the removal of most remaining non-C atoms and consequent relative increase of the C content, which can be up to 90% (by weight) in biochars from woody

     Compared to timber forests in the same growing conditions, bamboo can yield up to 25 times the amount of timber because it is ready to harvest so quickly. Some studies have found that bamboo can sequester four times more carbon and timber forests alone and at the same time releases 35% more oxygen than the timber forests, so there are many ecological benefits to bamboo growth (Brenner, 2008). Source:  http://www.bambooinvitro.com/product Source:  http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/08/25/fab-fabrics-greenyarns-bamboo-ecofabric/      Since bamboo can be used as a substitute of timber, it will also help decrease deforestation. Moreover, bamboo is highly sustainable as it can be regenerated within two to three years while timber could take longer than 25 years (FAO- NWFP-Digest-L, 2012). Biochar may be considered as a potential alternative to bamboo products as a durable carbon stock. Source:  http://www.proporta.com/smart/production-diary      Through a process o

     Silicon oxide forms the main component (90-97%) of the rice husk ash with trace amounts of CaO, MgO, K2O and Na2O.  The melting point of SiO2 is 1410-1610°C, while that of K2O and Na2O is 350 and 1275°C respectively. It has been suggested that at higher temperatures, the low-melting oxides fuse with silica on the surface of the rice husk char and form glassy or amorphous phases, preventing the completion of reaction. (Anshu et al., 2004). Silicon Oxide Molecule Source:  https://www.google.com/search?q=Silicon+Oxide&oq=Silicon+Oxide&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.2855j0j8&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8      We realized an investigation on the effects of rice husk biochar and its silicon content on corn (Zea mays L.) growth; the analysis of the fresh rice husk used to obtain biochar showed high levels of Si, Ca and Mg (Milla et al., 2013). After pyrolysis the same elements were found to increase in the rice husk biochar. Wood biochar was found to h

     The application of biochar has been shown to improve soil chemical properties, and especially rice husk biochar as stated by Sovu et al. (2012) that has an advantage over inorganic fertilizers in the subsequent growth of planted seedlings and soil fertility. Biochar is made from a pyrolysis process that occurs spontaneously at extreme high temperatures that can go above 300°C. At its most extreme state, pyrolysis leaves only a carbon residue, which is called carbonization. The high temperatures used in pyrolysis induce polymerization of the molecules within the feedstocks, producing larger molecules and thermal decomposition of some feedstock components into smaller molecules. The remaining solid component following pyrolysis is charcoal, referred to as biochar, when produced with the intention of adding it to soil to improve it (Schmidt et al., 1999; Preston and Schmidt., 2006; Hussain et al., 2008). Basically, biochar is known as a pyrolized carbon from solid waste used in agri

Rice husk and its transformation into biochar      Rice husks, wood remains, nutshells, manure and crop residues are regarded as agricultural waste, but recently such solid wastes have been transformed into biochar for the purpose of carbon sequestration. Biochar is commonly defined as charred organic matter, produced with the intent of being deliberately added to soil to improve its agronomic properties. On average, one ton of dry biomass can create 400 kg of biochar containing 80 to 90% pure carbon (Lehmann et al., 2009) at 300ºC to 700ºC, under low (preferably zero) oxygen concentrations.       Rice husk contains a high content of silicon and potassium, nutrients which have great potential for amending soil, while those with a relatively higher carbon content (e.g. wood or nut shells) are currently used for the production of activated carbon.  The use of rice straw and rice husks in the field has been practiced for some time (Ponamperuma, 1982). Research has shown that incor

     Feedstock is the term conventionally used for the type of biomass that is pyrolyzed and turned into biochar. In principle, any organic feedstock can be pyrolyzed, although the yield of solid residue (char) respective to liquid and gas yield varies greatly along with physicochemical properties of the resulting biochar. Feedstock is, along with pyrolysis conditions, the most important factor controlling the properties of the resulting biochar.  Source:  http://www.biochar-international.org/technology/feedstocks      Firstly, the chemical and structural composition of the biomass feedstock relates to the chemical and structural composition of the resulting biochar and, therefore, is reflected in its behavior, function and fate in soils.       Secondly, the extents of the physical and chemical alterations undergone by the biomass during pyrolysis (e.g. attrition, cracking, microstructural rearrangements) are dependent on the processing conditions (mainly temperature and