https://phys.org/news/2021-08-biochar-product-mitigate-climate.html
Biochar: The waste product that could help mitigate climate change. Australian researcher Stephen Joseph describes a landmark study that confirms the potential of biochar and the need to scale up applications. "We've done the science, what we don't have is enough resources to educate and train people, to establish demonstrations so farmers can see the benefits of using biochar, to develop this new industry," said Joseph.
https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=8527
Senator Tester Secures Infrastructure Funding for Montana Biochar Projects. New infrastructure projects for Montana named in the US Senate infrastructure bill will include $200 million to remove flammable vegetation for the creation of biochar or innovative woodproducts, with a note for agencies to consider working with youth and conservation corps, and engage with Tribes and veterans.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/aminmirkouei/2021/07/23/biochar-from-cow-manure-could-be-key-to-sustainable-agriculture/?sh=befd99fd4c73
Cow Manure Biochar Could Be Key to Sustainable Agriculture. Manure-based biochar is a potential approach to enhance sustainability benefits across crop production practices and agribusiness decisions, and it can be a good policy recommendation in line with President Biden’s January executive order (EO 14008) on tackling climate change, as it promotes carbon management systems and greenhouse gas emission mitigation efforts.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/features/102044/the-pros-and-cons-of-biochar-in-horticulture
Biochar Boosts Soil Carbon in North Carolina. The biggest handicap to growing crops in the North Carolina Sandhills is the sandy soil. Acidic and low in organic matter, it does not hold water or nutrients. Compost can help but the organic matter breaks down and needs to be reapplied every year. What if something could enhance the soil permanently? Biochar acts like compost, but is more stable. Whereas compost breaks down within a year, biochar lasts for thousands of years.
https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2021/07/27/washington-state-wine-commission-announces-research-priorities
Washington State Wine Commission Bets on Biochar for Sustainability. Research priorities for wine grape growers and vintners will focus on sustainability issues, from discovering ways for wineries to reduce winery wastewater and waste, to studying biochar for optimal vine and soil health. The commission will launch a sustainable certification program in 2022.
https://www.wvgazettemail.com/dailymailwv/daily_mail_features/power-plants-wvu-researchers-dig-into-sustainable-biomass-energy/article_2ca3d9cc-079d-59a1-aeee-665ae11c5196.html
West Virginia State University Receives $1.1 Million In USDA Grant Funds for Sustainable Biomass and Biochar. As part of the Mid-Atlantic Sustainable Biomass for Value-Added Products Consortium (or MASBio), WVU is adding biochar to degraded soils to grow willow. The willow will be harvested for bioenergy, biochar and other bioproducts.
Jingxin Wang, professor of wood science and technology at WVU, stands in a field being used to research regional biomass products. The program is funded by a $10 million U.S. Department of Agriculture grant.
https://cals.ncsu.edu/news/students-pig-and-pines-project-aims-to-find-waste-solutions/
Swine and Pines Project Aims to Find Waste Solutions. Victoria Augoustides has been the lead researcher on a project to add value and remediate waste products of pine and swine production in North Carolina. “We are currently testing the biochar (made from pine bark) for its potential to absorb volatile organic compounds from the air around the swine farms. It could also be used to lower the level of contaminants in the water,” Augoustides said.
https://www.poultryworld.net/Health/Articles/2021/8/Boosting-poultry-gut-integrity-with-a-source-of-charcoal-778881E/
Not Just Chicken Feed. Pyrogenic carbonaceous materials (PCMs), otherwise known as charcoal, have toxin-binding properties but no direct effect (positive or negative) on either the microflora or gut integrity. But the biochar needs to have specific properties in order to function effectively as a feed supplement.
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/south-texas-el-paso/news/2021/08/11/texas-startup-turns-old-wood-into-new-energy
Building a circular economy: A Texas startup turns old wood into new energy in effort to fight climate change. The city’s goal is to be zero waste by 2040. To help achieve its zero waste goal, Austin city leaders hosted a competition for sustainable small businesses. The creators of Locoal Charcoal are the winners. “It’s about $5 for a pallet to be recycled, we can turn a $5 pallet into $13 of value,” said CEO Miles Murray. Biochar will help control toxic algae in the local waterways.
Locoal Charcoal’s pyrolysis machine under construction.
https://www.h2-view.com/story/char-hzi-to-develop-a-high-temperature-pyrolysis-to-green-hydrogen-system-in-california/
Partners Test Hydrogen Pyrolysis in California. CHAR Technologies revealed a new test project with Hitachi Zosden Inova (HZI) to develop a high temperature pyrolysis to green hydrogen system at its California facility. Under the definitive agreement, CHAR’s high temperature pyrolysis system will process 18,000 tonnes per year of solid anaerobic disgestate into 1,320 tonnes of green hydrogen per year, and 2,800 tonnes per year of biocarbon.