Biochar

Biochar/ agri char / black- carbon is a form of charcoal that enhances crop growth, remediating contaminated soil and preventing climate change causing carbon emissions. The type of biochar produced depends on the feed biomass used and the temperature reached in the pyrolysis process. Biochar differs from charcoal only in the sense that its primary use is not for fuel, but for bio sequestration or atmospheric carbon capture and storage. In addition charcoal production requires complete pyrolysis i.e. carbonization. Biochar production processes utilize cellulosic biomass such as wood chips, corn stover, rice and peanut hulls, tree bark, paper mill sludge, animal manure and most urban, agricultural and forestry biomass residues.

Applications

As a soil enhancer, biochar makes soil more fertile, preserves cropland diversity, and reduces the need for some chemical and fertilizer inputs. Biochar can hold carbon in the soil for hundreds and even thousands of years. Because biochar retains nitrogen, emissions of nitrous oxide (a potent greenhouse gas) may be reduced. In addition, sustainable biochar practices can produce oil and gas byproducts that can be used as fuel, providing clean, renewable energy. Beneficiaries from biochar usage are summarized in the table.

Applications of Biochar in various industries

SOURCE

APPLICATION

Forestry waste

Commercial Fertilizer, Soil and Watershed reclamation site, Home gardening

Biomass plantation

Plantation soils, Home gardening

Agricultural waste

Farm soils, Home gardening, Commercial fertilizer

Animal Feedlots

Farm soils, Commercial fertilizer

Municipal Sewage

Commercial fertilizer for non food crops, as carbon sink

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value Chain

Biochar is made using a process called pyrolysis and the value chain of Biochar resembles Charcoal. When biomass is burnt in the absence of oxygen, pyrolysis occurs and the biomass can be turned into a liquid (‘bio-oil’), a gas and a high-carbon, fine-grained residue- biochar. As the biochar is produced, it is taken to the biochar bunker by truck or conveyor belt and deposited into the bunker. When the biochar is seasoned, it is ready for use as an agricultural amendment. Biochar is usually tailored to the needs of the customer by adding more compost, micro-nutrients, and other minerals and additional inoculates.

Business Opportunities from the Value Chain

Since the feedstock and the value chain for biochar production resembles that of Charcaol, the business opportunities discussed for charcoal is applicable for Biochar as well. Due to varying end uses between charcoal and biochar, the only opportunity that could be considered unique for biochar is for the traders and resellers.

Global Scenario and Market Segment

The growing cost of waste disposal, and implementation of renewable energy targets, is likely to make the production and application of biochar for electricity and waste management economically viable. Potential returns from carbon trading will be enhanced if biochar is accepted under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol. The economic viability of biochar is dependent on the price of the product and the benefits to the user. The price will be affected by the cost of feedstock (which may be negative in the case of biomass that would incur a waste disposal fee), and returns from renewable energy generated in the pyrolysis process. Since the economic viability of biochar is influenced by policy, uncertainty over future policy may risk investment in biochar production facilities. 

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