Biochar

Biochar is a type of bioenergy produced by the incomplete burning of biomass (pyrolysis). Biochar is often promoted for its potential to improve soil properties and fertility as well as sequester carbon¹.

Biochar outshines all other organic soil material in its ability to attract and retain water and nutrients, as well as holding phosphorous and agrochemicals. Biochar increases plant health and minimizes fertilizer run-off into surface water and ground- water. The material is relatively inert and therefore persists in soil far longer than any other organic soil additives. Because biochar lasts 100s to 1000s of years, its benefits of nutrient and water retention and overall soil porosity continue to work over long periods of time, unlike common fertilizers and conditioners. When added to soil, biochar improves plant growth and crop yields while reducing the total fertilizer required. Biochar conditioned soils also reduces N2O off-gassing by 50-80%.

Biochar can be produced in two ways:

• Pyrolysis systems include retorts to hold the biomass without allowing oxygen. Ventilation arrangement is made for pyrolysis gases to escape. Pyrolysis temperature (greater or equal to) 320c is needed for making biochar. Once temperature in retort reaches pyrolysis zone, pyrolysis gases (syngases) effuse and the process becomes self sustaining. This process is more suitable for making biochar as it tends to operate excluding oxygen. The less the interference of oxygen, the more the carbon is not burnt and the better for biochar production².
• Gasification systems produce less amount of biochar in a directly heated reaction vessel with air entrance.

With its ability to potentially retain vast amounts of carbon and return it into the earth, biochar can be a valuable tool for combatting climate change³⁴. Additionally, its benefits as a fertilizer increase its economic value as well as bolstering the broader production of biomass as an energy source⁵.