[Stoves] Biochar Projects for Science Students

[frank]

Tom
Don't know where to start.
Hach has good test equipment designed for easy use.

http://www.hach.com/hc/browse.exploded.product.category.catalog/PRODCAT0560/NewLinkLabel=Laboratory+Supply

Most important I suggest the students discuss the ways to test biochar 
when looking at plant response.  Its real different than studying a 
fertilizer, water, temperature  or something else the plant really 
needs. Biochar is a secondary response. In some soils it may hold more 
water and if water is the limiting growth factor it will show. Same as 
fertilizer etc.

Holding nutrients (as you state), changes in: void space, density,  
microbial activity (CO2 produced),  hydraulic conductivity,  shrinkage 
of clay etc. These are all important only in situations where they are 
the limiting growth factor.

For the carbon sequestering I use a procedure using a pipe, filled with 
biochar, screw one end cap on tight and the other one turn lose. Heat to 
450 deg C in a controlled furnace and record the change in weight. The 
carbon left (after ashing at 550 deg. C) will have ~80 percent carbon. 
something like that.

Frank





Tom Miles wrote:

> We need experiments for high school science students to make and use 
> biochar.
>
>  
>
> Kelpie and Christa have provided good instructions for small biochar 
> stoves for students wanting to learn about biochar:
>
> How to Make the Dome School Biochar stove, Kelpie wilson
>
> http://greenyourhead.typepad.com/files/how-to-make-dome-school-biochar-stove.pdf
>
>  
>
> Basic Design Principles of the Pyrolytic TLUD Gasifier Stove in 2010 
> Bq Demonstrations, or "How many sausages can you grill in the process 
> of making 30g of biochar? Christa Roth
>
> http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org/files/2010%20biochar-bq%20demonstration%20by%20Christa%20Roth.pdf
>
>  
>
> What student projects can demonstrate the ability of biochar to 
> capture nutrients and retain them for plant growth?
>
>  
>
> Nutrient capture: are there simple leaching or column tests where 
> students can filter a known concentration of fertilizer elements 
> through samples of soil with and without biochar and directly measure 
> the concentration in the filtrate using something like a specific ion 
> electrode or conductivity tester e.g. K or nitrates, or heavy metals 
> like  Pb, or Cd?
>
>  
>
> Greenhouse/pot tests: can the students then test the same media with 
> and without biochar in pot tests?     
>
>  
>
> A students recently asked if there is a way that she can measure the 
> amount of carbon in biochar that will be available for carbon 
> sequestration. Any examples or ideas?
>
>  
>
> Thanks
>
>  
>
> Tom
>
>  
>
> T R Miles Technical Consultants, Inc.
>
> www.trmiles.com
>
> www.biochar.bioenergylists.org
>
>  
>
>  
>
>  
>
>  
>
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-- 
Frank Shields
Soil Control Lab
42 Hangar way
Watsonville, CA  95076
(831) 724-5422 tel
(831) 724-3188 fax
frank at compostlab.com
www.compostlab.com