[Stoves] [biochar] Re: Biochar retort

Wed Oct 30 06:39:13 CDT 2013

Mike,

I have a smaller batch retort system where I primarily use wood scraps for making biochar and fueling the system.  I back feed the gas produced into the burn chamber to finish the batch.  Whenever I put wood in with greater than a 2 inch diameter for pine, or 1.5 inch diameter for oak, the center of the pieces often fail to char.  Wood self insulates.  I can see the same problem with your large bales.  You would get good charring on the outside 6 inches or so, but the insulating quality of the straw would inhibit further biochar production.  I would pursue a continuous feed system with broken up bales rather than a big batch retort. I think the later would be both unwieldy and unproductive.

Wayne

Wayne S. Teel
701 Carrier Drive
ISAT MSC 4102
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Phone: 540-568-2798
Fax: 540-568-2761
E-mail: teelws at jmu.edu
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From: biochar at yahoogroups.com [biochar at yahoogroups.com] on behalf of Paul Anderson [psanders at ilstu.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, October 29, 2013 4:17 PM
To: Discussion of biomass cooking stoves; YES SIR!; biochar at yahoogroups.com
Subject: [biochar] Re: [Stoves] Biochar retort

Mike,

I am sending your request on to the general listserv for "biochar" so that more people can respond.   Most readers are NOT on both listservs.

Discussion is needed (and then an actual trial) before you will get a final reply.  But basically yes, the straw can be pyrolyzed.   Please send all of us some more information:

1.  Seems like biochar is the objective.   What about use of the heat?

2.  Where are you located?   Please tell us more about yourself, your story, and resources (personnel, etc) to accomplish the task.

3.  Of course we are interested in the economics of what you are doing.   And in the possible replication in other parts of the world.  So all info from you would be appreciated.   And will the biochar be sold off or used on the fields that produced the straw?

4.  Are the bales created in away that allows for them to be split in two or more pieces relatively easily?   I know how smaller hay bales are made by ramming hay resulting in about 5 to 7 inch thick layers that are tied together so that they do not fall apart.   If your bales are that way, that could be a factor.   (You are NOT with the round bale technology that would be difficult to separate into halves, etc.)

Looking forward to your reply.

Paul

Email:  psanders at ilstu.edu<mailto:psanders at ilstu.edu>
Skype: paultlud      Phone: +1-309-452-7072
Website:  www.drtlud.com<http://www.drtlud.com>

On 10/29/2013 1:55 PM, YES SIR! wrote:
I am looking to build a GIANT retort.  I have an unlimited supply of compressed wheat straw bales (approx. 500,000lbs per yr).  They measure 4'x5'x3' and weigh about 400lbs each.  I am wanting to build a retort large enough to hold anywhere from 1 to 10 of these bales, probably horizontally.  My question is will these bales fully pyrolyze "as is" with perhaps a few inches of airflow on all sides and between bales inside the retort?

Thank you,

Mike

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