Where have we been? Where are things heading? - Biochar · 2014-12-19 · Aspen, Colorado. Blended...
Transcript of Where have we been? Where are things heading? - Biochar · 2014-12-19 · Aspen, Colorado. Blended...
Where have we been? Where are things heading?
Biochar Commercialization: The Pathway Forward December 11, 2014
Erin Rasmussen
TR Miles Technical Consultants Inc
2012 Survey, by Jenny Knoth
2012 Pre-Conference Survey, Jenny Knoth, Carbon Cultures
October 19, 2012 33 participants
2012 Pre-Conference Survey, Jenny Knoth, Carbon Cultures
2012 Pre-Conference Survey, Jenny Knoth, Carbon Cultures
Updating the Survey
Hope Mine Restoration project Morgan Williams and Andrew Harley's biochar restoration work at The Hope Mine in Colorado. In 2010, the team installed the world's first fully scaled biochar mine reclamation trial at an historic silver mine 7 miles outside of Aspen, Colorado. Blended biochar soil amendments (made from dead pine trees), were applied to the mine waste rock piles to increase moisture retention and re-vegetate the steep slopes at the site (zero irrigation, 35 degree slopes, 8,000+ feet in elevation, and only 80 continuous frost free days). From Morgan Williams’ summary: http://youtu.be/TCaOlirfLic
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Where we’ve been Where things are going
Where we were in 2012 • Research, Guidelines • Experience w/ biochar • Projects incorporating
biochar
• Our 2012 meeting set the stage for the NW Biochar Working Group
Where we are in 2014 • NW Biochar is still an
informal working group of public and private papers
• Many more academic papers, & outreach
• Demonstration projects • Biochar in use in
stormwater filtering and other applications
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NW Biochar Working Group nwbiochar.org
Biochar Producers http://bit.ly/1sBZdpq
• Email list • Web site • Meetings • Projects
Why Produce Biochar in the Pacific Northwest? • Locally produced • Natural product • Sustainable • Creates recycling opportunities and adds value to
abundant local agricultural and forest resources • Adds environmental and economic value • Needed in key local markets for agricultural production,
environmental protection and resource management • Can be integrated into existing energy and agricultural
resource infrastructure for production, marketing and distribution
• Can be produced and sold at a profit to maintain jobs NW Biochar Working Group Jan 2013
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Biochar is Made at Small and Large Scales
Boiler 3 MMBtuh Hot Water 500 lb/h 25% Char
ICM Gasifier 4-8 tph Burt’s Greenhouses
Ontario, CAN
BioChar TLUD Cook Stove Seachar.org
Mobile Pyrolysis Black is Green (BIG) AUS
Greenhouse scale heat and biochar NE Biochar 1 t/10h
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Making Biochar • Dry Fuel – Air Dried or Less than 20% MC • Temperatures – 400⁰C, 600 ⁰C, 800 ⁰C • Industrial Scale
– High Carbon Flyash, 10 CY/day – ICM Biochar 400 CY/day – Earth Systems 10-20 CY/day
• Farm Scale – Adam Retort 1-2 CY/day
• Small scale – – Top Lit Burn Pile – >0.5CY/day – Small Ovens – <10 ft3/day, Firepit kiln, Jolly Roger, Gasifiers – Stoves, BBQ – <ft3/day
10/18/2014 TR Miles Technical Consultants Inc.
Make Biochar to Suit the Purpose Processed Biochars Are Required for Some Applications
Biochar Supreme photo: Biochar Supreme biocharsupreme.com
SELECT BIOCHARS TO SUIT SOILS AND CROP NEEDS
10/18/2014
DIY BIOCHAR INDUSTRIAL BIOCHAR
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Biochar Research
In 2012 – Great Academic work
from Cornell (Lehman and others)
More than 708 papers printed about biochar
Starting to characterize absorption/ adsorption for a variety of biochars.
Currently (Dec 2014)
More than 2,274 accepted papers in Scientific Journals (sciencedirect.com)
From 2013 – early 2015 – 1566 new biochar papers
Better characterizations of the properties of biochars, and understanding biochar applications
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UC Davis Biochar Database http://biochar.ucdavis.edu/
Database introduced at
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Washington Dept of Ecology & Washington State University
• Odor in Commercial Scale Compost: Literature Review and Critical Analysis
Ma, J., Wilson, K., Zhao, Q., Yorgey, G., & Frear, C. (November, 2013). Odor in Commercial Scale Compost: Literature Review and Critical Analysis. Washington State Department of Ecology. Retrieved November 12, 2013, from https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/SummaryPa...
• Methods for Producing Biochar and Advanced Biofuels in Washington State - Part 4: Literature Review of Sustainability Issues, Business Models, and Financial Analyses
Manuel Garcia-Perez, et al published February 2013 https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/SummaryPages/1207035.html
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2014 Literature Review: Toxics & Organics Remediated with Biochar
• Heavy Metals: Copper, Zinc, Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, Mercury
• Explosives: DNT, TNT, RDX
• Herbicides: Atrazine, Acetochlor, Clopyralid, Fipronil, Glyphosate, Simazine, 2,4D, Trifluralin, Diuron (DCMU)
• Benzonitrile, Phenathrene, trichloroethylene, Triazine
• Hydrocarbons • Poly chlorinated biphenyls
(PCB)
• Pesticides & Fungacides: Pyrimethanil, Hexachlorobenzene, Pentachlorophenol, Lindane, Isoproturon, Endosulfan, Chlorantraniliprole, Chlorpyrifos, Carbofuran
• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) >50% of 4-& 5- ring PAH, >40% of 2- & 3- PAH
Peer reviewed research shows the following toxic organics are sorbed by biochar.
Literature Search: sciencedirect.com Compiled by TR Miles Technical Consultants Inc
Biochar Helps Re-vegetation and Environmental Remediation
BIOCHAR IN MULCH FOR HYDROSEEDING
www.permamatrix.com
Permamatrix , Photos from Robin Cook & Sunmark Environmental TR Miles Technical Consultants Inc.
Fiber with 10% Biochar
“This was the recycled nasty soil from the steel mill that still grew vegetation. There is a line of where we sprayed PermaMatrix and where it was not applied. The other vegetation died.” -- Drew Schaefer Sunmark Environmental www.sunmarkenvironmental.com
Biochar Improves Remediation
10/18/2014 TR Miles Technical Consultants Inc.
WSU Low Impact Development Center
LOW IMPACT DESIGN:RAIN GARDENS/STORM DRAINS
ROOF DRAINS
DEMOS: 8 Cities RESEARCH: • OSU – MS, MBA • EPA Corvallis • WSU Puyallup • Stanford/CSM
BIOCHAR IN COMPOST ROLLS AND BIO BAG FILTERS FOR SURFACE RUNOFF
Biochar Improves Water Quality
10/18/2014 TR Miles Technical Consultants Inc.
Biochar in Sand and Biofilters for Industrial Stormwater Filtration
Photo: Kennedy Jenks, Port of Tacoma, West Hylebos Pier Log Yard
Port of Tacoma, West Hylebos Pier Log Yard
Sand + biochar
biofilters
Sand filter
Up to 80% - 90% reduction in ISGP parameters: pH, Zinc, Copper, Turbidity, TSS & COD Small Scale tests: 70% Sand + 30% Biochar to capture Copper and reduce
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
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Biochar in Green Roof Media
Photo: Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center Adding 7% Biochar to Scoria based media improved the effluent with 70% reduction in Nitrates, 40% reduction in Phosphates and 70% reduction of Organics than un-amended control. Beck, D.A., G.R. Johnson and G.A. Spolek. 2011. Environmental Pollution 159: 2111-2118.
Using 30% biochar in scoria roof media increased plant water availability by 16% . Cao, C.T.N., C. Farrell, P.E. Kristiansenn, J.P. Rayner. 2014. Ecological Engineering 71: 368-374.
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Biochar for Healthy Trees
No Treatment (right) 5% biochar + compost top dressing Tree roots at 18 months in compacted soils. Photo: Morton Arboretum Soil Science Laboratory
(Bartlett Tree Service & Dr. Makoto Ogawa) http://www.bartlett.com/tips/Biochar.cfm
Biochar + Compost Biochar + Mycorrhiza, Composted
• Increases disease & insect resistance • Improves microbial activity and soil fertility • Increases soil water retention, and available water to tree roots • Stimulates tree growth • Improves tree survival
Trenches with Biochar + Mycorrhiza can be used to rehabilitate diseased trees, like these examples from Japan ->
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Biochar in Nurseries
PLANT HEALTH - Inhibits root disease Nutrient (P) carrier for poor soils
SOIL STRUCTURE- Vermiculite substitute
COMPOST AID - Peat substitute = Compost + Biochar
Ponderosa Pine in Soilless Media with Vermiculite (Left) and Biochar (Right)
2008 Calforest Nurseries 2009
Agronomic Benefits
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Biochar in Structural Soil
ParkingForest.org Structural Soil, Cornell University www.hort.cornell.edu
Structural Soil under Permeable Pavement for larger canopy trees in parking lots.
Improves tree health, helps them resist disease • Adsorbs oils/metals from the parking lot • Filters rain water, keeps nutrients close to trees. • Increases water available to street trees.
Parking Forest PCC (Maria Cahill)
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Agricultural Field Trials & Projects
Photos from Steve Griffith USDA ARS Forage Seed & Cereal Research Unit May 20, 2014 Wheat Trials
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Biochar in Urban Gardening
URBAN FARMING GREEN ANCHORS
www.facebook.com/greenanchorspdx Ghost Peppers and Carolina Reapers
10/18/2014 TR Miles Technical Consultants Inc.
How can Public Policy create positive impacts with Biochar Projects?
Local: City, County State Federal
Agriculture WA DA, ODA USDA
Forestry ODF, WDF USFS, BLM
Transportation WASHDOT, ODOT
Ecology/ Environment
Portland Bureau Environmental Services
WADOE, ODEQ EPA
Economic Development Innovate WA, OR BEST
Energy ODOE USDOE
Education/Research WSU, OSU, UI, UM USDOE/Sun Grant
Extension WSU, OSU ARS
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• Procurement – materials, carbon credits
• Policy – carbon goals, soil goals
• Grants – economic development
• Loan Guarantees • Research
US Consumer and Environmental Markets • Retail Garden and Landscaping
– Packaged consumer products • Compost and industrial byproduct char • Char suited to consumer needs
• Wholesale to – Landscape services – tree service – Specialty Crops, Horticultural, and Turf
• Bulk Char to Remediation, Erosion Control – Oilfield remediation and Filtration – Stormwater filtration
• Small scale agriculture - DIY – Community Supported Agriculture – Urban Farming
11/4/2014 TR Miles Technical Consultants Inc.
There are Many Emerging and Potential Biochar Markets
• Trees and Landscaping, Structural Soil • Nurseries, peat moss industry • Seed coating, prills and agglomerates • Green roofs • Urban Farms and Gardens • Turf Maintenance • Erosion Control and Soil Remediation • Stormwater and Water Quality • Specialized or strategic use in agriculture • Traditional horticulture, hydroponics, poultry farms • Food waste and food processors • Forest re-vegetation • Bedding, kitty litter
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Short Term market development: 1. What do you see as the most immediate market opportunity in your sector?
• Research, demonstration projects, policy, and production could all be themes from the initial question.
• What needs to happen to build that market?
2. Prioritize the top three or four action steps to meet those needs. Longer Term market development: 1. What do you see as the longer term market opportunity?
2. What needs to happen to build long term markets? 3. Prioritize the most important three or four action steps to get this market developed.
Market Development Questions
Tom Miles, 2012 Marketing Development Slide
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www.gasifiers.bioenergylists.org www.biochar.bioenergylists.org
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