[Gasification] [Digestion] Karve connecting Biochar and Biogas

[Paul Harris]

G’day All,

 

For the “non digesters” in particular some anaerobic digesters are packed with plastic rings/balls or other media to provide a surface for bacteria, so what Dr Karve has possibly done (I am guessing here) is provided “homes” for a lot more bacteria so they are not washed out. This is good for solutions but not so good if there are solids in the waste stream.

 

The other possibility is that the extra carbon has restored the C:N ratio.

 

Could you give more details of what you did Dr Karve, if it is possible (I understand you may have some commercial interests to protect)?

 

Happy digesting,

HOOROO

 

Mr. Paul Harris, Room 202 Charles Hawker Building, Faculty of Sciences, The  University of Adelaide, 

Waite Campus, PMB 1, Glen Osmond SA 5064 Ph  : +61 8 8303 7880      Fax  : +61 8 8303 4386

Roseworthy Campus, Ph  : +61 8 8303 7929

mailto:paul.harris at adelaide.edu.au   http://www.adelaide.edu.au/directory/paul.harris

 

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From: digestion-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org [mailto:digestion-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of rongretlarson at comcast.net
Sent: Thursday, 6 October 2011 1:35 PM
To: Anand Karve; gasification at lists.bioenergylists.org; Discussion of biomass; biochar; digestion
Subject: [Digestion] Karve connecting Biochar and Biogas

 

AD (cc four lists):

    I have not previously seen the connection between Biochar and Biogas that you described (below) today on the gasification list.     In particular, you say you ".. filled the digester
with charcoal, my system accepted three times the normal daily input
and produced three times as much gas." 
I think what you describe can be a very powerful push for both Biochar and Biogas.  Can you describe what you have learned a little more?

     I know too little of digesters, so this is not clear.  I think I know your kitchen-sized inverted "barrel" gas chamber and think I understand the last part - of getting three times as much gas in the next 24 hours or less (and 3X is a huge change!).   Does the idea of accepting three times more mean essentially the same thing?  I would think you could "jam" any amount in;  what limits acceptance?

    Do you agree that this is very important new information?  Do you agree this information could help speed up both technologies?  I believe there is wide agreement that Biochar benefits from added biological material (that would not be long-lived from a sequestration perspective).  Is there any reason to think that the traditional use of digester effluent for ag improvements will be in any way harmed if it is continued through the addition of carbon-negative Biochar?  Should this not promote sales of your charcoal-making stoves?

   If I haven't asked quite the right question - please answer the right one.  And congratulations on learning and reporting this.

Ron

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