The Great Change: Acceleration

The Great Change: Acceleration: " We need to get to above-the-line climate solutions with the same urgency as beach communities spying an approaching tsunami. " ...

I've got Albert's blog listed in my blogger list.... always a highly entertaining and enlightening read.
This post is also an important read for those interested in biochar & climate change...

Biochar as a Building Material | Mechanical Engineering

Biochar as a Building Material | Mechanical Engineering

Speaker: 

Dr. Kua Harn Wei

Associate Professor and Assistant Dean (Academic)

School of Design and Environment

National University of Singapore

About: 

A by-product of pyrolysis of biomass, biochar has been widely studied as a type of soil enhancement and even a replacement of carbon nanotubes in a wide range of applications, including as capacitors and sensors.

The Smart Materials Laboratory of the Department of Building, National University of Singapore, has been working on producing and studying a wide variety of sustainable building materials that utilize biochar as a key ingredient. For example, increase in strength and decrease in water absorption of mortar and concrete have been achieved by adding up to 2% wt of biochar that is produced from mixed wood wastes. Current efforts include the use of food waste as a viable feedstock for biochar that is used to enhance the performance of mortar, as well as using biochar as a mean of immobilizing special species of microbes that are capable of self-healing of cracks in concrete.

The aim of this seminar is to trigger more conversation and thinking on using biochar in a wider range of building materials and technology, including the use of biochar in additive manufacturing of building components.

IBI Webinar: Anaerobic Digestion and Biochar

Register Now for the IBI Webinar: Synergies Between Anaerobic Digestion & Biochar October 30, 2017 3:30-5:00 pm EDT

Research has shown that there are many synergies to be found integrating pyrolysis and gasification with anaerobic digestion (AD) systems. Carbonizing the anaerobic digested fibers could be a viable way to create adsorbent for the removal of soluble phosphorous from Anaerobic digesters effluents. Using biochar in the AD substrate can boost not only the quantity but the quality of the methane (CH4) produced. It can also reduce the H2S generated during the AD process thereby reducing wear and tear on equipment. In the webinar we will discuss the possibilities to integrate acidic biochars with dissolved air flotation systems for ammonia removal. The focus of this webinar is on pyrolysis and gasification, two technologies that are capable of converting the digested fibers into a bio-char, and that can be integrated with AD. During the presentation Dr. Garcia-Perez will also discuss some of the potential uses of these chars in anaerobic digestion systems. Cost? Free to IBI Members or $40 for non-members When? Date: October 30, 2017 Time: 3:30 - 5:00 pm EDT To Register: Registration includes access to the slides and a recording of the webinar. IBI Members register here (go to the upcoming webinars section). Your event link will be emailed to you after successful confirmation about your membership status. *** Link will be working soon – we are experiencing some difficulties with updating the IBI website. Non-IBI members register here.

Dr. Manuel Garcia-Perez Washington State University

Dr. Manuel Garcia-Perez is an Adjunct Professor at Washington State University’ Chemical Engineering and BioEngineering Department. His focus is on biomass thermochemical conversion (torrefaction, pyrolysis, gasification and combustion); development and testing of new bio-oil refineries to produce advanced bio-fuels and bio-chemicals; environmental impact of thermochemical processes research addresses the environmental burden associated with the world’s declining petroleum resources.

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/IBI-Webinar-Anerobic-Digestion-and-Biochar.html?soid=1124199130091&aid=fnA1qNYjg_8

What has happened to the Philippines' climate funding? | News | Eco-Business | Asia Pacific

What has happened to the Philippines' climate funding? | News | Eco-Business | Asia Pacific

Could biochar projects meet fund application criteria?