Dennis Enright discusses biochar in Thailand

Biochar for small farm productivity – with guest Dennis Enright | Eco Living in Action

We go all the way to NZ to hear from Dennis and his biochar work in Thailand. This is closely linked to WarmHeart as well. A search here on the WarmHeart or Thailand tag will find more on this.

Biochar industry development in China

Date: Tue, 21 Nov 2017 21:56:30 +0800
From: "Tom Miles" <tmiles@trmiles.com>
To: "'Discussion of biomass cooking stoves'"
        <stoves@lists.bioenergylists.org>
Subject: Re: [Stoves] Air pollution in cities

"China is making a substantial effort to reduce air pollution. We have just completed the "2nd China-Asian Workshop on Biochar Production and Application for Green Agriculture -From Technology to Viable Systems" at Nanjing University and the International Biochar Initiative Asia-China center. Scientists and companies from around the region attended. We visited plants converting straws, manure, and biosolids to biochar and biochar fertilizers. China has invested in many biochar plants in Northern China, primarily to reduce air pollution, improve yields and soil fertility, and sequester carbon. They are currently building about 50 biochar plants. They have located a biochar plant in each of several provinces. They have tested the biochar fertilizer products in the field at more than 300 sites with impressive results. They have set up farmer coops and businesses to collect and densify crop residues at harvest. The pellets are used to store the straw and improve the efficiency for the process used to make the biochar, recover oils and vinegars, and convert the biochar into fertilizers that can be used by local for fertilizers. They have methods to account for the sequestered carbon. They grow more food with less fertilizer while reducing air pollution and sequestering carbon. Last year they converted 200,000 tons of crop residues to biochar. This year they expect to convert 800,000 tons of crop residues to biochar and biochar products. That is expected to grow to three million tons within five years. It is profitable for the farmers and for the biochar fertilizer companies.

Organizations through the region will be working with the International Biochar Association to demonstrate ways to reduce are pollution from crop residues by converting part of the residue to biochar and biochar products to smallholders and large crop producers."

Tom (Miles, IBI Chairman)

Biochar-compost mixture as amendment... oil palm seedlings (Malaysia)

Biochar-compost mixture as amendment for improvement of polybag-growing media and oil palm seedlings at main nursery stage | SpringerLink

Results

"Biochar, compost, and biochar-compost amendment improved polybag media’s chemical properties (pH, total C and N, C:N ratio, CEC, Mg, and Ca). There were no significant effects of the amendments on shoot biomass. However, root growth and shoot:root ratio significantly improved with 1.5% w/w C addition and 30% (v/v) compost with 75% recommended fertiliser rates applied. Furthermore, nutrient leaching measurement indicates that, EFB biochar significantly reduced ammonium-N leaching up to 21–46%."

Conclusions

"Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of biochar and compost co-application to improve the chemical properties of polybag medium and root development of oil palm seedlings."

Effect of biochar and biodigester effluent in Lao PDR

Effect of biochar and biodigester effluent on yield of Taro (Colocasia esculenta) foliage

Bounmay Bouaravong, Nguyen Nhut Xuan Dung¹ and T R Preston²

Plant Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Savannaket University, Savannnaket province, Lao PDR
bbounmay@yahoo.com
¹ Cantho University, Vietnam
² Centro para la Investigación en Sistemas Sostenibles de Producción Agropecuaria (CIPAV), Carrera 25 No 6-62 Cali, Colombia

Abstract

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate effects ef soil amendment with biochar and biodigester effluent on biomass yield of Taro.  In the first experimemt, five levels of biochar (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 kg/m²) were applied to Taro grown in 3*3m plots according to a completely randomized (CRD) design with 4 replicates. All plots were fertilized with biodigester effluent at the rate of 50 kg  N/ha. There were linear increases in yield of Taro leaves and petioles, and in their content of crude protein, when biochar was applied to the soil at levels from 0 to 2 kg/m². Soil fertility as measured by pH, water-holding capacity and nitrogen content was increased linearly according to the level of biochar.
In the second experiment, five levels of biodigester effluent  (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 kg N/ha) were applied to to Taro grown in 1*1m plots that had been amended with 2 kg/m² of biochar. Applying biodigester effluent at levels up to 100 kg N/ha resulted in linear increases in biomass yield and in crude protein content of leaves and petioles and to increased soil fertility as measured by pH, water-holding capacity and nitrogen content.

Biochar rice research in Indonesia

Biochar as a carrier for Nitrogen plant Nutrition: 3. Effect of EnrichedBiochar on Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Yield and Soil Qualities 

 W. H. Utomo 1) , T. Islami 2) and, E. Wisnubroto 3) and H. T. Soelistyari 3) 
1) International Research Centre for Management of Degraded and Mining Land, University Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia. 
2) Research Centre for Tubers and Root Crops, University Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia, 
3) University Tribhuwana Tunggadewi, Malang, Indonesia. 

Abstract 
"A lot of studies have proven that biochar is a good soil amendment. With its high Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), it was hypothesized that biochar can be used as the carrier of nitrogen plant nutrient. A study was conducted to investigated the effect of nitrogen enriched biochar on the growth of rice (Oriza sativa L.). The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse with the treatment of enriched biochar (2 enriched materials and 2 types of biochar feedstuffs), and the rice was planted on several soil acidity. There was 21 treatments combination which arranged in a Fully Randomized Design with 3 replications. Measurements were done for rice growth, rice yield, and some soil chemical properties, i.e. soil organic carbon and nitrogen content, soil pH, and Cation Exchange Capacity. The experimental results show that biochar was a good carrier for nitrogen plant nutrition. The growth and yield of rice planted in enriched biochar soil was as good as the rice growing in urea treated soil, even it had a higher yield. Nitrogen enriched biochar increased the fertilizer efficiency. Ammonium is a better enriched material for biochar than nitrate. "

What is your biochar story?

​Let's get regional biochar news stories some international air...

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: tmiles@trmiles.com [biochar] <biochar@yahoogroups.com>
Date: 13 November 2017 at 03:26
Subject: [biochar] What is your biochar story? Help IBI help you, through Networking, Education, and Demonstration
To: biochar@yahoogroups.com

What is your biochar story? How are you using biochar and what have you learned about how to use it (and, how not to use it) with your crops and soils. How do you measure “success” with biochar? Share your story and IBI will help you find solutions.

The directors of the International Biochar Initiative will meet in Nanjing, China, next week to plan our activities for 2018. We welcome your suggestions. In the past year we have had a very productive series of newsletters, webinars, a study tour, and exchanges here and on other social media. We have supported international conferences and regional efforts in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and the Americas. We thank the businesses, NGOs, students, and professionals who have joined IBI to help with our goals to use biochar to improve soil health, food security, clean water, the environment, and climate resilience. We promote the use of safe, stable, and sustainable biochar through Networking, Education, and Demonstration. We have a new “All Star” Science Committee that will provide periodic reviews of research to members. We have ideas about webinars, study tours, demonstrations, online courses, biochar “solutioneering” teams to address specific issues, and improved  characterization, standards, and certification. IBI is managed by a small staff and volunteers. It is funded by members and donors. In the short term we need funds to improve our delivery and exchange of information through the website and social media. Join IBI and help us help you. http://www.biochar-international.org/join

IRENA | Biofuel potential in Southeast Asia Raising food yields reducing food waste and utilising residues

IRENA | Biofuel potential in Southeast Asia Raising food yields reducing food waste and utilising residues

This report has a huge amount of regional biomass data...

Bioenergy Byproduct to Soil Savior @BiomassMagazine

Bioenergy Byproduct to Soil Savior @BiomassMagazine: Production and sale of biochar at biomass-using plants can result in significant financial gains, but the industry is still working at building its myriad of potential markets.


This article is a nice lead in for 7Dec webinar (see below).

Free Webinar for biochar businesses

​
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: tmiles@trmiles.com [biochar] 
Date: 2 November 2017 at 22:59
Subject: [biochar] Boosting Bottom Lines with Biochar
To: biochar@yahoogroups.com

FREE WEBINAR Thursday, December 7, 2017 | 2:00 PM CST Boosting Bottom Lines with Biochar
Presenters: Moderator: Anna Simet Biomass Magazine Tom Miles International Biochar Initiative Jim Brown Karr Group Jonah Levine Confluence Energy, Biochar Solutions Inc. The buzz about biochar is getting louder, and as global market demand increases, bioenergy producers may have opportunities to capitalize. Join Biomass Magazine’s Dec. 7 webinar for an expert discussion about biochar properties, uses and market drivers, technology, how pellet or bioenergy producers can diversify offerings and add value to operations, and more.

Tom Miles

International Biochar Initiative

Biochar-international.org

U.S. Biochar Initiative

"Promoting the Sustainable Production and Use of Biochar"

www.biochar-us.org

@USbiochar

Facebook US Biochar Initiative

 

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?

Feeding Biochar to Cows

IBI EDUCATIONAL WEBINAR SERIES: FEEDING BIOCHAR TO COWS TO IMPROVE SOIL FERTILITY AND FARM PRODUCTIVITY

September 20, 2017 • 5:00 - 6:30 pm ET

Feeding biochar to livestock has been a growing area of interest due to the many potential benefits which have been highlighted by various studies around the world.  This webinar features Doug Pow, a farmer from Western Australia, who has taken the research out of the labs and into the fields.  In one of the longest studies on biochar used as livestock feed, Doug has collaborated with Dr. Stephen Joseph, a long-time biochar researcher as well as a number of other researchers to document the benefits so that other farmers in Australia and around the world can learn from his experiences.

This webinar will discuss how and how much biochar is fed to cattle, the beetles that help to deliver the biochar deeper into the soil profile and the benefits that livestock farmers can derive from feeding biochar to livestock.  Stephen will provide an overview of rumen processes and how biochar interacts with the rumen.  He will discuss previous biochar research involving cows, poultry, pigs and goats including feed lot trials and he will talk about detailed science around development of new 'fit for purpose' biochars for feeding to animals.

Hugh McLaughlin

Hugh McLaughlin does a great job here explaining to soils folk about biochar links between chemistry and biology. One important take is about water.

Hang on for the next youtube by him... more great viewing on "conditioning, charging and inoculating" biochar (...CCI).