Comments on: Biochar gets some attention at Poznan as a measurable way of sequestering carbon http://www.cleanbreak.ca/2008/12/06/biochar-gets-some-attention-at-poznan-as-a-measurable-way-of-sequestering-carbon/ Trends, happenings and innovations in the clean technology market Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:28:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Michael Garjian http://www.cleanbreak.ca/2008/12/06/biochar-gets-some-attention-at-poznan-as-a-measurable-way-of-sequestering-carbon/comment-page-1/#comment-6006 Michael Garjian Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:10:19 +0000 http://www.cleanbreak.ca/?p=1352#comment-6006 Not all charcoal is biochar. True biochar is the result of heating biomass in an emission free pyrolysis reactor devoid of oxygen. Biochar has been shown to be a very effective soil amendment in numerous studies in South America and Japan. It is becoming popularized enough in the US that Biochar Xtra is now even being sold on Ebay. Others are using the bio-oils derived from biochar production to replace fossil fuels. Some folks are alarmed at the possibility of vast tracts of land being denuded to produce biochar. This is not a valid concern because, due to its very low density of from 20 to 35 pounds per cubic foot, the transport of biochar over long distances is not economically feasible. Not all charcoal is biochar. True biochar is the result of heating biomass in an emission free pyrolysis reactor devoid of oxygen. Biochar has been shown to be a very effective soil amendment in numerous studies in South America and Japan. It is becoming popularized enough in the US that Biochar Xtra is now even being sold on Ebay. Others are using the bio-oils derived from biochar production to replace fossil fuels. Some folks are alarmed at the possibility of vast tracts of land being denuded to produce biochar. This is not a valid concern because, due to its very low density of from 20 to 35 pounds per cubic foot, the transport of biochar over long distances is not economically feasible.

]]> By: greensolutions http://www.cleanbreak.ca/2008/12/06/biochar-gets-some-attention-at-poznan-as-a-measurable-way-of-sequestering-carbon/comment-page-1/#comment-3740 greensolutions Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:23:56 +0000 http://www.cleanbreak.ca/?p=1352#comment-3740 This is one of the best solutions I've come across. This is only carbon negative if operated locally. If you transport biomass a thousand miles, pyrolyze it and transport the biochar another thousand miles, you're missing the point. That's the real challenge here--not letting agribusiness/energy giants hijack the biochar discussion and brainwash everyone into thinking centralized pyrolysis facilities are the way to go. We've already seen this happen with corn ethanol, the massive energy loser. I think one of the best uses for the syngas is to replace natural gas and propane as cooking fuels in this country, since there is no other convenient renewable substitute and the scale seems appropriate. General heating for buildings and energy for transportation are best met with other, more appropriate fuels and techniques. This is one of the best solutions I’ve come across. This is only carbon negative if operated locally. If you transport biomass a thousand miles, pyrolyze it and transport the biochar another thousand miles, you’re missing the point. That’s the real challenge here–not letting agribusiness/energy giants hijack the biochar discussion and brainwash everyone into thinking centralized pyrolysis facilities are the way to go. We’ve already seen this happen with corn ethanol, the massive energy loser.

I think one of the best uses for the syngas is to replace natural gas and propane as cooking fuels in this country, since there is no other convenient renewable substitute and the scale seems appropriate. General heating for buildings and energy for transportation are best met with other, more appropriate fuels and techniques.

]]> By: Robert http://www.cleanbreak.ca/2008/12/06/biochar-gets-some-attention-at-poznan-as-a-measurable-way-of-sequestering-carbon/comment-page-1/#comment-3715 Robert Sun, 14 Dec 2008 04:50:42 +0000 http://www.cleanbreak.ca/?p=1352#comment-3715 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5OAkmum7gU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5OAkmum7gU

]]> By: J.C., Sr. http://www.cleanbreak.ca/2008/12/06/biochar-gets-some-attention-at-poznan-as-a-measurable-way-of-sequestering-carbon/comment-page-1/#comment-3672 J.C., Sr. Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:29:08 +0000 http://www.cleanbreak.ca/?p=1352#comment-3672 The Engineer Poet blog wrote an interesting article on this subject a few years ago. Very interesting. with T.Boone Pickens lobbying Washington and advertising like crazy to convert all the eighteen wheelers to his natural gas (fertilizer) we'd better do something or find ourselves in another price pickle. The Engineer Poet blog wrote an interesting article on this subject a few years ago. Very interesting. with T.Boone Pickens lobbying Washington and advertising like crazy to convert all the eighteen wheelers to his natural gas (fertilizer) we’d better do something or find ourselves in another price pickle.

]]> By: Biochar gets some attention at Poznan as a measurable way of sequestering carbon http://www.cleanbreak.ca/2008/12/06/biochar-gets-some-attention-at-poznan-as-a-measurable-way-of-sequestering-carbon/comment-page-1/#comment-3665 Biochar gets some attention at Poznan as a measurable way of sequestering carbon Sun, 07 Dec 2008 06:26:22 +0000 http://www.cleanbreak.ca/?p=1352#comment-3665 [...] Biochar gets some attention at Poznan as a measurable way of sequestering carbon [...] [...] Biochar gets some attention at Poznan as a measurable way of sequestering carbon [...]

]]> By: JR Moreau http://www.cleanbreak.ca/2008/12/06/biochar-gets-some-attention-at-poznan-as-a-measurable-way-of-sequestering-carbon/comment-page-1/#comment-3657 JR Moreau Sat, 06 Dec 2008 22:13:34 +0000 http://www.cleanbreak.ca/?p=1352#comment-3657 This is a great idea. Some other good ideas are carbon sequestration through selective grazing of herd animals. Holistic Management Institute is a good place to look. This is a great idea. Some other good ideas are carbon sequestration through selective grazing of herd animals. Holistic Management Institute is a good place to look.

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