Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:05 am
Biochar: The New 'Black Gold' ?
Biochar is a highly porous charcoal made from organic waste and can be produced from any forest, agricultural or animal waste.
The waste material is placed in a barrel where it is cooked under intense heat, sometimes above 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. In a few hours organic trash can be transformed into charcoal-like pellets that farmers can then turn into fertilizer. Some of the gases given off during the process can be converted to produce electricity, others can be condensed and actually converted into gasoline.
Biochar can help clean the air by preventing rotting biomass from releasing harmful CO2 into the atmosphere and by allowing plants to store the CO2 they pull out of the air during photosynthesis. Biochar’s high carbon content and porous nature helps soil retain water, nutrients, protect soil microbes, and ultimately increases crop yields while locking harmful CO2 into the ground. Scientists believe the worldwide use of biochar could ultimately cut CO2 levels by 8 parts per million within 50 years.
The waste material is placed in a barrel where it is cooked under intense heat, sometimes above 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. In a few hours organic trash can be transformed into charcoal-like pellets that farmers can then turn into fertilizer. Some of the gases given off during the process can be converted to produce electricity, others can be condensed and actually converted into gasoline.
Biochar can help clean the air by preventing rotting biomass from releasing harmful CO2 into the atmosphere and by allowing plants to store the CO2 they pull out of the air during photosynthesis. Biochar’s high carbon content and porous nature helps soil retain water, nutrients, protect soil microbes, and ultimately increases crop yields while locking harmful CO2 into the ground. Scientists believe the worldwide use of biochar could ultimately cut CO2 levels by 8 parts per million within 50 years.
J Johnston
Green Speak Network
Green Speak Network
