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  • From: Pietro Galgani <peppox@hotmail.com>
  • To: <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [permaculture] Terra Preta & Biochar
  • Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2010 12:02:29 +0200


and another very informative link
http://biochar.pbworks.com/FrontPage



> From: peppox@hotmail.com
> To: permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
> Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2010 11:01:54 +0200
> Subject: Re: [permaculture] Terra Preta & Biochar
>
>
>
>
> To everyone who wants to learn more about biochar:
> Some time ago I stumbled on this page with a lot of resources about
> biochar, including links to explanations on how to produce it on a small
> scale, a review of companies that sell equipment and/or biochar, and
> scientific research.
>
> http://ahualoa.net/ag/notes_biochar.html
>
>
> > Date: Wed, 20 Oct 2010 13:40:21 -0400
> > From: venaurafarm@bellsouth.net
> > To: permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
> > Subject: [permaculture] Terra Preta & Biochar
> >
> >
> > -------- Original Message --------
> > Subject: Re: [SANET-MG] Terra Preta
> > Date: Wed, 20 Oct 2010 02:09:37 EDT
> > From: Neal Van Milligen <CAVM@AOL.COM>
> > To: SANET-MG@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU
> >
> > There are any number of terra preta or bio-char production sites in
> > Google. In a nutshell it is the roasting of ground organic matter to
> > produce what is essentially charcoal.
> >
> > The roasting process, or pyrolysis, can be polluting if done the old
> > fashioned low tech way. In modern techniques the gases given off by the
> > roasting or torrefaction of biomass is CO, CO2, methane and H2. If
> > ambient air is used to stoke the process a significant amount of N will
> > also be in the gas, up to 50%. In an oxygen deprived process the gases
> > will provide a valuable substitute for propane with slightly less BTU
> > per scf. If air is used in the process the gas will be a weak but
> > still valuable flammable byproduct with BTU content from 135 to 300 per
> > scf.. It can be used to power an engine or a generator or to produce
> > heat for other uses such as to distill water or cooking.
> >
> > If the biomass used in the process costs $20 per green ton the bio-char
> > terra preta will have about $100 per ton cost due to loss of moisture
> > and reduction in volume. This excludes equipment, labor, site,
> > maintenance, etc, etc. However, in many cases the biomass will have a
> > negative cost, you are paid to take it.
> >
> > Different biomass inputs and different process techniques will result in
> > different qualities of char. There is still more art than science
> > involved and experience pays good dividends in this.
> >
> > Neal
> >
> >
> > In a message dated 10/19/2010 11:59:54 P.M. Central Daylight Time,
> > lflj@bellsouth.net writes:
> >
> > On 10/20/2010 12:09 AM, Neal Van Milligen wrote:
> > > I read that a 140% increase in corn yields in a study done in Columbia
> > > was attributed to the use of Terra Preta or char.
> >
> > (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/sep/30/biochar-production-climate-change)
> >
> > > This is stunning considering the ease with which the char can
> > > beproduced.
> >
> > It is amazing for sure. Charcoal has an incredible amount of surface
> > area and can store and retain (w/o leaching) an amazing amount of
> > nutrients. Initially, with a constructed biochar farmsite there is a
> > deficiency of nitrogen as the charcoal soaks up to capacity N from
> > surrounding soil, then it is released to the plants. I always thought
> > it was diffcult, polluting and expensive to produce.
> > You say otherwise. Do you know of websites illustrating efficient
> > methods of producing biochar?
> >
> > LL
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