[Gasification] biochar to sequester carbon

[Pels, J.R. (Jan)]

Dear List,

As far as I understand the Terra Preta issue, it is basically the
morphology of the char that is beneficial. The chemical composition of
the char is not relevant. After pyrolysis or degassing an open structure
is formed where microorganisms and fungi find a suitable place to live.
They are improving soil quality by retaining water and nutrients. When
made at low temperature the char retains much of its original biomass
structure.

Unfortunately, in high-temperature gasification, this structure is lost.
Carbon-rich fly ash from gasification of biomass is composed of
non-porous graphite-like particles and thus not functional in Terra
Preta. 

Not all char is equal.

Jan


========================================
Dr. Jan R. Pels
ECN - Biomass, Coals and Environmental Research
P.O. Box 1, 1755 ZG Petten, The Netherlands
telephone: +31-224-564884; fax: +31-224-568487
mobile: +31-6-10923218
e-mail: pels at ecn.nl
========================================
 
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: gasification-bounces at listserv.repp.org 
> [mailto:gasification-bounces at listserv.repp.org] On Behalf Of Tom Miles
> Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2007 5:56 AM
> To: 'Discussion of biomass pyrolysis and gasification'
> Subject: Re: [Gasification] biochar to sequester carbon
> 
> Reg,
> 
> Your find discussions of this an related articles on the 
> terra preta discussion list and website that we started in January.
> http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org/
> http://bioenergylists.org/pipermail/terrapreta_bioenergylists.org/
> 
> You will find links there for Cornell where Lehmann is and 
> other charcoal research. Some people on the discussion list 
> have started their own farm and garden tests of charcoal, on 
> arid soils in Guinea and Australia, on alkaline soils in 
> India, in China, "somewhere 20 miles south of Lake Erie, 
> USA," in a nursery in Washington, etc.
> 
> We're all learning what the agronomic value of the charcoal 
> might be for different soils and plants. The results are not 
> yet clear. At best it would be a good use for char from gasifiers.
> 
> Tom
>         
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gasification-bounces at listserv.repp.org
> [mailto:gasification-bounces at listserv.repp.org] On Behalf Of 
> Reg Preston
> Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 12:43 AM
> To: Discussion of biomass pyrolysis and gasification
> Subject: [Gasification] biochar to sequester carbon
> 
> http://www.biochar-international.org/images/Lehman_Handful_of_
> C_-_Nature_5.9
> .07.pdf
> 
> I trust every one on the list has read this paper?  Comments 
> would be appreciated.
> 
> Reg Preston
> 
> 
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