Modified Atmosphere Bulk Packaging: Principles and Practice of Biochar Storage and Transport

As the biochar industry grows and more product is produced, biochar producers are becoming aware of risks associated with the storage and transport of reactive and pyrophoric biochars. Under certain conditions, some biochars can self heat and ignite, potentially resulting in damages and loss from fire. Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) is one of the best methods to help reduce the risk of fire from reactive biochars during storage and transport. MAP has been used for decades by the food industry, and is characterized by packing perishable dry food in flexible hermetic bags, and purging or flushing the interior of the bag with inert gas, typically nitrogen, to eliminate oxygen next to the food. The result is a "microclimate" inside the bag that controls spoilage factors, and extends shelf life for up to 2 years. The author will discuss how a microclimate favorable to biochar stability can be created inside a bulk FBIC bag, and will describe how MAP packages can be made to maximize shipping efficiency, while at the same time helping to reduce the risk of fire.

Thomas Nelson
Torresak, LLC, Chagrin Falls, United States