Building the Future from the Ground Up

Combined Heat and Biochar Technology Assessment - USBI Report

Combined heat and biochar (CHAB) technologies are systems that optimize the combustion of wood residues. The process of combusting biomass for biochar produces not only a high carbon solid product but also thermal energy that can be used for heating and cooling. This assessment compares technology options for adding Combined Heat and Biochar (CHAB) equipment to the operations of a hypothetical composting business located in Nebraska. This assessment is a first look at technology options that are readily available from several manufacturers who are prepared to deliver and help commission a CHAB system that can provide useful thermal energy and a biochar product for a composting enterprise or any similar operation. This assessment is not a full feasibility study. This study is undertaken with the help of the vendors who provided information about their systems, and it relies on the expertise of the US Biochar Initiative, Wilson Biochar Associates and TR Miles Technical Consultants, Inc. This assessment was partially funded by the Nebraska Forest Service. The remainder of the funding was provided by USBI.

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