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On 2 years ago

Use Biochar in Agriculture

Biochar in the agriculture field plays an important role in soil, water, nutrients, carbon dioxide emissions, crop harvest, etc. Usually, people make biochar by way of traditional kiln and pyrolysis. Each of these approaches has pros and cons. The mass of the final biochar is different. If you want to apply biochar in agriculture, please choose a suitable way to produce biochar.

What is Biochar?

Biochar is a major product after the pyrolysis of biomass. Biomass is decomposed into carbon and other solid substances such as phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), N (nitrogen), S (sulfur), and ash after being subjected to closed pyrolysis. The Ph value will also rise. Biochar is composed of these substances. The source of raw material, temperature, and parameters of pyrolysis will affect the composition of biochar. During the biomass pyrolysis process, liquids (wood vinegar, tar) and gases (biogas) are also produced.

Biochar has some differences from traditional fuel – charcoal, including different ingredients and functions. Biochar is produced from biomass. And it contains ingredients needed by soil and crops. It can exist in the soil for a long time, up to thousands of years. Charcoal is produced from biomass, sludge, and other substances. It is characterized by a high combustion value. It is often used as fuel. See their components.

Items Components
Biochar The components mainly are carbon, hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, nitrogen, and minerals in the ash fraction.
Charcoal The components mainly are carbon, white ash, etc.

Different Types of Biomass Suitable for Biochar Production

The main source of biochar is biomass waste. There are abundant sources of these biomass wastes. It mainly includes the following aspects:

  • Agricultural waste: straw, rice husk, wood chips, bamboo, sawdust, grape vines, grape marc, peanut husk/fiber, pineapple husk, durian skin, empty fruit bunches, sugarcane bagasse, sunflower stalks, garden waste, biomass pellets, palm silk, Oak block, greenhouse waste, eucalyptus, hemp waste, etc.
  • Nutshells: coconut shells, palm shells, olive seed shells, coffee shells, pistachio shells, pecan shells, cocoa shells, etc.
  • Industrial waste: all kinds of sewage sludge.
Rice Straw
Rice Hull
Wood Chips
Bamboo
Grape Vine Shoots
Grape Pomace Residue
Pineapple Residue Silage
Durian Shell Waste
Palm Empty Fruit Bunches
Coconut Shell Waste
Coffee Husk
Sewage Sludge

How to Make Biochar by Biomass Pyrolysis Technology?

The way of biomass to biochar mainly refers to biomass pyrolysis. See how to make biochar by biomass pyrolysis.

  • Put the raw materials into the main biochar furnace.
  • Preheat the main furnace with the main furnace sealed.
  • When the temperature reaches above 380 degrees Celsius, continuous biochar starts to be produced. The process of biomass to biochar takes about 15-25 minutes.
  • When the pyrolysis process is complete, the biochar is removed manually or automatically.
  • The combustible gas generated throughout the production process will be recycled. Emission smoke will be purified and discharged up to standard. So, the process of biochar production is environmentally friendly.

How is Biochar Used in Agriculture?

Biochar is suitable for degraded, arid, poorly fertile, or low organic matter soils. It can change the structure, texture, porosity, particle size distribution, and density of soil. Besides, it also has a positive influence on animal husbandry. Take a view at these benefits.

Applications Benefits of Using Biochar
Crop and Forestry
  • Adjust the PH value of the soil;
  • Increase soil nutrients and organic carbon;
  • Regulates the water absorption capacity of the soil;
  • Reduce the bulk density of the soil;
  • Promote crop growth and increase crop yields;
  • Reduce the use of fertilizers;
  • Improves the amount of soil microbial life.
Soil
  • Increase soil carbon storage;
  • Reduce emissions of nitrous oxide and methane, reducing greenhouse gases;
  • Reduce pollutants in the soil;
  • Retain nutrients in groundwater.
Animal Husbandry
  • Mixing it with manure can help reduce emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, including ammonia.
  • Mixing it with animal feed to improve animal digestion;
Crop
Forestry
Soil
Animal Husbandry

Biochar’s Potential to Mitigate Climate Change in Farming

Biochar produced by biochar machines plays an important role in agriculture not only in terms of cultivation. It also plays an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture.

Carbon Sequestration Biomass releases carbon dioxide and harmful pollutants into the air and soil when it decomposes naturally. However, carbonized biomass firmly locks the carbon. This way reduces carbon dioxide emissions from biomass.

Long-term Carbon Storage When Biochar is stored in the soil, it has strong stability. The carbon in biomass biochar can remain for thousands of years. This approach increases carbon storage and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Reduce Fertilizer Use Adding the right amount of biochar to the soil can help improve the soil. Thereby, this way reduces the use of chemical fertilizers. Greenhouse gases are produced during the production, transportation, and use of fertilizers, such as nitrous oxide, methane, etc. Therefore, this way will reduce the impact of these greenhouse gases on the environment.

Carbon Sink
Carbon Storage
Reduce Fertilizer Use

The Environmental Benefits of Biochar in Agriculture

Greenhouse Gas Mitigation One of the great roles of Biochar in agriculture is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Biochar blocks carbon. It helps remove carbon dioxide. In modern times, this is one of the most effective ways to combat the increase of global greenhouse gases.

Soil Carbon Enrichment Porous structure and abundant elements in soil promote soil carbon enrichment. Carbon-added soils have healthier ecosystems. At the same time, this soil also reduces the risk of soil degradation.

Reduced Nitrogen Leaching Nitrogen plays a vital role in plant growth. Fertilizer use and water movement can increase nitrogen loss. In soil, biochar can retain nitrogen. Therefore, biochar reduces the loss of soil nutrients from the environment.

Erosion Control When soil is amended with biomass, it helps the soil retain moisture and stability. Thereby reducing soil loss and protecting waterways. In this way, the ecosystem will be healthier.

Manure Management of Livestock Biochar can be used to manage manure from livestock. In this way, the emission of greenhouse gases, especially methane, can be reduced. At the same time, this method also improves the living environment of livestock.

Waste Conservation Agricultural water accounts for more than 50%. After biochar improves the water-holding capacity of the soil, agriculture can use less water, especially in arid regions. Appropriate irrigation techniques are needed to reduce agricultural water use.

Greenhouse Gas Mitigation
Erosion Control
Waste Conservation

Use Biochar Pyrolysis Machine to Make Biochar

Beston Group is an experienced manufacturer of biochar pyrolysis plants. We provide seven models with factory prices. If you are interested in these machines, contact us.

ModelBST-50 StandardBST-50S LMBST-50S HMBST-50S MAXBST-06 StandardBST-06MAX
Time to Market201520222022202220252025
Operating ModeContinuousContinuousContinuousContinuousContinuousContinuous
ApplicationCommercial ScaleCommercial ScaleCommercial ScaleCommercial ScaleTestingTesting
Dust Removal SystemStandardAdvancedAdvancedAdvancedStandardAdvanced
Feeding Capacity10-15m³/h10-15m³/h10-15m³/h10-15m³/h100-300KG/H100-300KG/H
Biochar Discharge Temperature45℃45℃45℃45℃45℃45℃
Puro.earth Authentication Model××
Maximum Pyrolysis temperature650℃650℃650℃850℃650℃
Service Life5-8 years5-8 years5-8 years8-10 years5-8 years
Annual Operating Time7200 hours7200 hours7200 hours7200 hours8000 hours
Land Space Required (L*W*H*m)35m×15m×8m65m×15m×8m65m×15m×8m65m×15m×8m25m*18m*6m
Total Power (KW)201.25kW453.35kW505.35kW505.35kW129.79162.79
Cooling MethodRecycling cooling WaterIndustrial chillerIndustrial chillerIndustrial chillerRecycling cooling WaterIndustrial chiller
Installation Period (Calendar Days)507070704550

Biochar is a Sustainable Solution for Agriculture

Biochar in agriculture has many benefits to crops, forestry, animal husbandry, the environment, etc. Now, many customers invest in Beston biochar machines to produce biochar in agriculture. Beston Group provides biochar making solutions, a biochar production line, and a series of services to customers. If you have this demand, contact us right now.

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