[Stoves] [biochar-production] Is there a role for combining torrefaction and char-making stoves?

[rishi kumar verma]

Dear Ron

I am thrilled by your idea of combining torrification and charcoal
processing.

In fact I have been working on developing a low cost solution for charcoal
making on continuous basis in India.

I am targeting to develop small movable retort suitable in remot areas
where power and water is not avialable.

I would be happy to participate in developing the ideas which can ease
transporation and charcoal making process.

Regards

Dr. Rishi Verma
Asst General Manager - AgroForestry
DSCL
Kota (Rajasthan)
INDIA - 324 004

+919950203572



On Fri, Feb 24, 2012 at 3:57 AM, <rongretlarson at comcast.net> wrote:

>
>
> Lists:
>
>    Q1a.   This is to get anyone's/everyone's reaction to a concept I have
> not yet seen in stove literature.  Briefly, if torrefied biomass is
> supplied to charcoal-making stoves, might it be worth the extra expense
> over biomass which has seen no prior thermal processing.
>
>    Q1b.   Is it a new idea?   I don't see anything patentable here - as
> torrefaction is an old concept, and char-making in stoves should not change
> at all.
>
>    Q1c.  Has anyone actually tried the idea already?
>
>    Q2.  On the negative side will be:
>       a.   Added expense.    The key question is not if - but how much
> added expense might be tolerable?
>       b.   Some energy is lost - maybe even extra energy will be needed  -
> certainly some for start-up.
>       c.   There may have to be pelletizing costs as well  (but maybe
> not.)  A key question is whether pelletizing can do the same thing.
>       d.   We have heard that some moisture is valuable.  Maybe torrefied
> fuel could become *too* dry?
>       e.  I think BFW and others will (in some cases appropriately) claim
> foul for ruining the local soils through export of a valuable source
> compost product - which may not end up as a Biochar (which alternative
> should offset any soil degradation disadvantage)
>
>  Q.   Can anyone think of other negatives - just when comparing to "raw"
> biomass or pellets headed for char-making stoves?
>
>    Q3.. On the positive side are
>      a.   All the positives of making a char that can be later termed
> Biochar if placed in soil (atmospheric and soil improvement, conservation
> of water, retention of nutrients, etc).   Making, rather than expending,
> money while cooking would still be possible if the char is worth more than
> the lost energy..
>      a.   The fuel may be very dry - maybe even bone dry.  It could be a
> positive in terms of starting and fewer released noxious gases.
>      b.    The energy content is appreciably enhanced - possibly from
> below 15 MJ/kg  (low because of water content) to above 25 MJ/kg.
>      c.   There are reduced costs in transporting the fuel (per unit
> energy, same transport costs per ton).
>      d.   Its character should be more consistent from batch to batch and
> therefore helpful to the cook in timing events.
>      e.   Torrefaction might produce fewer harmful emissions when actually
> used.  Processing and pelletizing ives an opportunity for adding favorable
> odors.
>      f.   Torrefaction might significantly increase the total supply of
> biomass available for Biochar.
>     g.   This sort of pre-processing can significantly add to local job
> opportunities - and reduce illegal char-making with its (often illegal)
> waste of energy.
>     h.   This pre-processing will take less time in the kiln than
> conversion to char.  Hence less needed hardware.
>     i.     Lower temperatures should mean longer life for the metal
> hardware than if we were producing char.
>     j.    The material might (also might not) have better handling
> characteristics than char.  Still friable, but not overly so.
>     k.   Provides needed jobs in ag areas.  Maybe can be carried out at
> most any time of the year, as long as there is a place to store the raw
> wastes.
>    l.    Torrefaction might allow productive use of waste material that
> otherwise has no apparent use.
>
>   4.  I have some ideas on how to control the torrefaction without power -
> available to anyone wishing to carry this further.  I see no patent issues
> here.  The basic idea I have in mind is something like 8 or 10 (200 liter,
> low cost, no-longer useable steel) barrels rolling down a slight incline in
> a small linear kiln.   I broached this rolling drum idea a few months ago
> as a way to make char.  Torrefying seems harder than making char, as we are
> likely working in an exothermic temperature regime where there could be
> runaway to higher-than-desired temperatures.   I'd be glad to talk further
> with anyone interested on how to carry this out in remote areas.  But
> mostly I am asking whether there is a fatal flaw in going further down this
> route - just for char-making stoves where we can be sure we are
> productively using the (later) valuable energy used for cooking.
>
> 5.  The reason for raising this is the large interest we read about in
> torrefaction - to replace coal in large electric power plants.  Why don't
> we see it in biochar and stove literature?
>
> Thoughts?
>
> Ron
>
>
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-- 
Dr. Rishi Verma
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