permaculture

[Pietro Galgani <peppox@hotmail.com>]

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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