Producing Biochar from Human Excreta and other High Moisture Feedstocks

This presentation will share field experiences in the processing of high moisture feedstocks such as human excreta and animal manures to produce biochar. Topics will include emissions, odor, drying, energy balance, liquid separation, ISO standards and Life Cycle Analysis (LCA).  Most high moisture feedstocks are expensive to move, require a tipping fee, but ultimately end up in landfills or the ocean. Pyrolysis can provide the benefits of volume reduction and nutrient recovery while treating the output for pathogens, micro-plastics, pesticides, herbicides and pharmaceuticals.  New ISO and EPA standards promote the onsite treatment of these feedstocks and present many profitable opportunities for biochar producers to return local nutrients back to the soil that would otherwise be lost.

Jeff Hallowell
Biomass Controls PBC, Woodstock, United States

Keywords: non sewered sanitationISO 31800Human ExcretaBiosolidsIndiaSewageNutrient RecoveryEnergy BalanceOdor ReductionLife Cycle Analysis

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