Is Biochar Really Sustainable? A critique of the UNDP Biochar project (Indonesia)

This critique on biochar gets its own torrefied response...
http://inesad.edu.bo/developmentroast/2013/04/is-biochar-really-sustainable-a-critique-of-the-undp-biochar-project/
My take on this... distributed rural biochar production and application should be limited by two factors - the need for distributed energy and soil improvement. We are a long way from fulfilling either of these and they should be balanced (not waste the energy).  We still don't have the simple low cost equipment at a community scale... but we do have TLUD's at a family scale.

Philippine Biochar Association (PBiA) in the news

Pro-biochar group supports government's efforts to achieve sufficiency in rice (link)

"THE Philippine Biochar Association (PBiA) is keen on backing government initiatives to attain rice sufficiency, achieve food security and mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change. The PBiA expressed its support during the first national conference on biochar initiatives in the country at the Philippine Social Science Center on Tuesday. In his address, Philip Camara, PBiA founding member and a member of the lead advisory council, said what the country needs to do is to try removing carbon dioxide (C02) from the atmosphere and not just rely on neutrality or mitigation. “The biochar technology can help us do that,” he added. Biochar, now practiced by some farmers in Zambales province’s Botolan town, is charred biomass usually produced from agricultural and forestry organic waste material like rice hull, straw, corn stover, coconut husks, tree branches and fallen trees by applying heat with very limited oxygen to the biomass. The process releases synthesis gases or syngases that can be harnessed for renewable energy and leaves behind charcoal. The PBiA said biochar is intended for use in farm soils while charcoal is for cooking.

Biochar is also being supported by international leaders. Former US Vice President Al Gore said biochar is one of the newest and most exciting strategies for restoring carbon in depleted soils and sequestering significant amounts of CO2 for 1,000 years. Dr. Bernardo Tadeo, member of the PBiA board of trustees, said many farmers are now testing the use of biochar, with some reporting higher farm yields. During the two-day conference, attendees discussed organic farming, climate-change adaptation and mitigation, local biochar network and the integration of biochar into companies’ corporate social responsibility programs."

Re:char Grow more Food and Fight Climate Change

Biochar and conservation farming: results from tropical Africa

Biochar effect on maize yield and soil characteristics in five conservation farming sites in Zambia
Abstract:
"Biochar addition to agricultural soils can improve soil fertility, with the added bonus of climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration. Conservation farming (CF) is precision farming, often combining minimum tillage, crop rotation and residue retention. In the present farmer-led field trials carried out in Zambia, the use of a low dosage biochar combined with CF minimum tillage was tested as a way to increase crop yields. Using CF minimum tillage allows the biochar to be applied to the area where most of the plant roots are present and mirrors the fertilizer application in CF practices. The CF practice used comprised manually hoe-dug planting 10-L sized basins, where 10%–12% of the land was tilled. Pilot trials were performed with maize cob biochar and wood biochar on five soils with variable physical/chemical characteristics. At a dosage as low as 4 tons/ha, both biochars had a strong positive effect on maize yields in the coarse white aeolian sand of Kaoma, West-Zambia, with yields of 444% ± 114% (p = 0.06) and 352% ± 139% (p = 0.1) of the fertilized reference plots for maize and wood biochar, respectively. Thus for sandy acidic soils, CF and biochar amendment can be a promising combination for increasing harvest yield. Moderate but non-significant effects on yields were observed for maize and wood biochar in a red sandy clay loam ultisol east of Lusaka, central Zambia (University of Zambia, UNZA, site) with growth of 142% ± 42% (p > 0.2) and 131% ± 62% (p > 0.2) of fertilized reference plots, respectively. For three other soils (acidic and neutral clay loams and silty clay with variable cation exchange capacity, CEC), no significant effects on maize yields were observed (p > 0.2). In laboratory trials, 5% of the two biochars were added to the soil samples in order to study the effect of the biochar on physical and chemical soil characteristics. The large increase in crop yield in Kaoma soil was tentatively explained by a combination of an increased base saturation ..."

http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/3/2/256

The other WTO...

http://www.terra-preta-sanitation.net/cms/index.php?id=19
links here to work in the Philippines and Indonesia

http://www.sswm.info/category/implementation-tools/water-use/hardware/toilet-systems/terra-preta-toilet

Palm frond biochar production and characterisation

Co/ the Erich Knight search engine...

"Palm oil has been the world's main source of oil and fats since 2004, producing over 45 million tonnes in 2009. Malaysia alone has over 4·5 million hectares planted with oil palm and, based on common practice, ∼300 palm fronds are pruned per hectare per year. This agricultural waste is currently either being used as roughage feed or, more frequently, being left between rows of palm trees to prevent soil erosion, or for nutrient recycling purposes. This paper proposes an alternative use for palm frond as a source of biochar. A traditional method commonly use by gardeners in Malaysia to improve soil fertility was used to produce the biochar. A shallow earth pit was dug in the ground for the carbonisation process. The process is described and the impact of carbonisation on the earth wall is analysed and presented. The process was later re-assessed by using TGA-FTIR. Most of the hemicelluloses had fully disintegrated, but the depolymerisation of the cellulose was still incomplete at the carbonisation temperature. Most of the lignin aromatic structure was still present in the biochar. The carbonisation process was repeated in the laboratory and biochar was characterised by using BET, SEM and FTIR. An adsorption isotherm study was conducted and the experimental data were fitted to the Langmuir model. The model predicted Pb2+ adsorption rates of 83·3 mg/g, Cu2+ 41·4 mg/g, Ni2+ 13·0 mg/g and Zn2+ 19·7 mg/g."

A. Md Som, Z. Wang and A. Al-Tabbaa
Geotechnical and Environmental Research Group, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK.

Malaysian Soils Conference 2013 update (biochar papers)

Three biochar related papers and one poster will be presented at the Malaysian Soils conference (16-18 April 2013)

SESSION 6: Soil Physics and Biochar (Wednesday, 17 April)
Chairman: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Che Fauziah Ishak
16.15
Quality of biochars derived from empty fruit bunch and rice husk produced at different pyrolysis temperature
Claoston N., A.W. Samsuri , M.K. Ahmad Husni and M.S. Mohd Amran (Universiti Putra Malaysia)
16.30
Adsorption of NPK fertilizer on original and HA-coated palm kernel shell biochar
Arasu Uttran, Muhammad Ahmad, Robert Thomas Bachmann and Loh Soh Kheang (Universiti Kuala Lumpur)
16.45
Effect of empty fruit bunch biochar on rice cultivated in an acid sulphate soil system of rice intensification
Rosenani A. B., R. Zahidah, S. H. Ahmad, B. Jalili Seh-Bardan and C. Coulter (Universiti Putra Malaysia)

8. Effect of chicken manure and biochar (empty fruit brunch) amendments on kenaf yield planted on sandy soil (BRIS soil)
Norkhatina M.R., M.S. Malisa and J. Hamdan (Universiti Putra Malaysia)

Biochar related publication from Malaysia...

Characterization of Local Mill Rice Husk Charcoal and Its Effect on Compost Properties
ABSTRACT
Rice Husk Charcoal (RHC) is a by-product of rice processing mills which can be found in very large quantities in these mills. This industrial waste is largely unutilized, causing environmental pollution especially in the state of Kelantan. In order to increase its utilization, RHC was characterized and investigated for its potential in enhancing the composting process. Physico-chemical properties of RHC such as pH, nutrient content, ash content, CEC, adsorption kinetics, surface area, functional groups, surface structure and pore sizes were studied. The composting treatments were carried out by mixing 4% (wt/wt) and 6% (wt/wt) RHC with organic substrates and with no RHC amended as control. Parameters such as daily temperature, CO fux, nutrient content, pH, moisture and total microbial count were measured during the composting process. Results showed that RHC is a highly alkaline material (pH 8.9) with a carbon content of 16% (wt/wt dry basis), CEC of 17cmol kg-1 soil, BET surface area of 401 mg g-1 and a methylene blue adsorption capacity of 38.8 mg g-1. The presence of C=O carboxyl-C, ketones and ester, aliphatic C=H, C=C benzene ring and C-H aromatic hydrogen suggests that RHC mainly comprises amorphous char, a random mixture of thermally altered molecules and aromatic polycondensates.The addition of RHC to organic matter accelerated the composting process through higher decomposition rates due to higher microbial population at the thermophilic stage with RHC acting as a bulking agent, as well as higher moisture and nutrient retention during composting. N losses were found to be lower with RHC composting

http://www.msss.com.my/mjss/Full%20Text/Vol%2016/Theeba.pdf

Also published, some initial findings coming from the MPOB BEK work...

Production and physico-chemical characterization of biochar from palm kernel shell
http://biochar.jp/Kong_etal.pdf
Related reports...
http://sea-biochar.blogspot.com/2012/10/unikl-mpob-biochar-trials-update.html
http://sea-biochar.blogspot.com/2011/03/bek-arrives-in-malaysia.html

Northen Vietnam biochar program update

North Vietnam Villagers Develop Strategies to Help Combat Global Warming and Improve Household Health; Results of First 18 months Of Village Biochar Program 

Dr Stephen Joseph has provided a detailed report on his work in Northern Vietnam, first reported in my March 2012 post. The 10 page report can be downloaded from here...
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biochar/attachments/folder/359216780/item/list

(... for group members, at least. Please let me know if you have any access problems - I can forward a copy)

Biomass Asia Conference 2013 on 20-22 May, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Please note the following further announcement from Biomass-SP conference plans...
"Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the EU-Malaysia Biomass Sustainable Production Initiative (Biomass-SP), we are pleased to announce the Biomass Asia Conference 2013 on 20-22 May 2013 at Sunway Putra Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Building on the success of the inaugural EU-Asia Biomass Best Practices & Business Partnering Conference held in 2012, with over 600 participants from 29 countries and more than 80 speakers (Read all about it HERE), this dynamic event will unite industry professionals from all sectors of biomass value chain – bioenergy, bio-based products, agriculture, and high value chemicals – with special focus on Asia and Europe.

This year, Biomass-SP will jointly organize the Biomass Conference Asia 2013 with the Malaysia Biomass Industries Confederation (MBIC), the national biomass association representing biomass industry players in Malaysia. It is truly a one-stop networking opportunity for biomass professionals including current and future producers of bioenergy and bio-based products with biomass traders, technology providers, equipment manufacturers, investors, researchers and policy-makers.

We are pleased to extend you the invitation to submit your speaking interest at the 2013 Conference.

In addition to our annual focus on biomass as energy, bio-chemicals, bio-based products and agriculture, the Conference this year will also highlight new and emerging areas, among others:
· Updates on financing & government initiatives for biomass commercialisation
· Solid waste as potential biomass feedstock
· Commercialisation of biochar
· Managing risks and supply chain in biomass projects

All sessions will be conducted in English; and each session will run in 30-45 minutes.

Speakers will be entitled to enjoy privileged fees to attend the Conference and its associated events. If you are interested in speaking at this Conference, please indicate your interest to participate by submitted the attached Speaker Interest Form via e-mail (info@biomass-sp.net) no later than 8 March 2013.

We look forward to your participation!
Thank you.

Yours sincerely,
NURHIDAYATI ABD AZIZ
Conference Secretariat
Biomass Asia Conference 2013

20 Jalan Diplomatik, Presint Diplomatik
62050 Putrajaya
T: 03-8884 8922 F: 03-8884 8838"

Brochure & Speaker Interest Form can be found here...
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/52700813/Call%20for%20Papers%20Brochure.pdf
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/52700813/Speaker%20Interest%20Form.doc

Biochar article on AntariaNews feed from Indonesia

Biochar makes the new in Indonesia in connection with UNDP work... not sure how much (in)justice Goolge-translate has done. Thanks to Victoria Kamsler, Chief Research Officer at Katerva for finding this...

"Biochar" Mengolah Sampah Menjadi Berkah
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http://sulteng.antaranews.com/berita/6621/biochar-mengolah-sampah-menjadi-berkah?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&goback=.gde_2446475_member_216923187&langpair=id|en&hl=en&ie=UTF8

Radio interview in NZ on biochar

Late last year, I participated in a radio discussion on biochar in New Zealand. Hopefully, the link below will work for outside of NZ...

http://www.greenplanetfm.com/members/greenradio/blog/VIEW/00000001/00000221/Biochar-advocates-Graham-Smith-and-Trevor-Richardson.html#00000221

Malaysian biochar conferences - update

There are now three conferences in quick succession that include biochar related tracks or sessions. Biomass-SP have found it necessary to shift the date of their Seminar on Commercialization of Sustainable Biochar from March to April. This seminar is targeted to Malaysian SME's but due to strong regional interest, they have now introduced a biochar track to their annual conference and provided the following announcement...
“We regretfully inform that the Seminar on Commercialization of Sustainable Biochar is intended specifically for selected Malaysian Biomass SMEs under the EU-Malaysia Biomass Entrepreneurs Nurturing Program (EUM-BENP), which is a flagship project under Biomass-SP. However, given unexpected interest in our seminar, we have decided to dedicate a special track to Biochar at our upcoming annual Biomass Asia Conference 2013, which will be taking place on the 20 - 22 of May 2013 in Kuala Lumpur. We believe this conference would be a more suitable platform for our international participants as it focuses on regional biomass / biochar developments, and we gladly invite presentations and participation from interested parties.”

They have provided the following information on BAC 2013

• Tentative Programme https://dl.dropbox.com/u/52700813/Tentative%20Programme%20-%20Biomass%20Asia%20Conference%202012.pdf
• Speaker Interest Form https://dl.dropbox.com/u/52700813/Speaker%20Interest%20Form%20-%20BAC%202013.doc

The new (still tentative) dates for the Seminar on Commercialization of Sustainable Biochar are 18 and 19 April. This will overlap with the Soils 2013 conference but should allow attendance at both the Soils biochar track (Session 3) and the seminar in KL. So, in summary,

• Soils 2013: 16-18 April (Session 3 - Biochar and Biofertilizers)
• Commercialization of Sustainable Biochar: 18-19 April (new tentative dates)
• Biomass Asia Conference: 20-22 May (biochar track penciled in)

150 Gasifier cookstove - update

I've posted previously about Paul Olivier's work in Vietnam on cook stoves. He has produced a new and very informative presentation on his work which can be downloaded from here...
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/22013094/Paper/Presentations/Gasification.pptx

Its a large file (12MB) but worth the download effort. My previous post on his work is here...
http://sea-biochar.blogspot.com/2012/03/biomass-gasification-and-benefits-of.html

Biochar and 'Future Farming' group

Lloyd Helferty has set up a new Linkedin group with links to Asia...

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/biochar-production/message/1140

http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Future-Farming-4815612