A review of whether biochar is effective for improving agricultural soil in a UK context: PLENARY KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
Despina Berdeni, ADAS, UK
(Free)
What is Biochar?
• Biochar is a solid material produced by thermochemical treatment of organic materials (feedstocks) in an oxygen free atmosphere (‘pyrolysis’).
• Two types of pyrolysis;
➢ ‘slow’ pyrolysis: slow heating rate (40-50oC/min or <550oC) and long residence time (1 hour). Maximises the solid fraction (biochar).
➢ ‘fast’ pyrolysis: rapid heating (100oC/min or >550oC), and short residence time (20 minutes). Maximises the liquid and gaseous fractions (for energy recovery). Source: https://biochardemonstrator.ac.uk/#
Biochar is a form of recalcitrant C which is protected from microbial degradation & is recognized as a possible Greenhouse Gas Removal strategy by IPCC.