[Stoves] Fuel analysis vs biochar analysis

[Frank Shields]

Dear Crispin,

The equipment is quite different. Testing biomass (what i am thinking needed for classification) is most all physical testing (perhaps) with some simple chemical tests that we all can do. What I am thinking we MUST do is all very simple tests but will take some time to determine what each separate classification fraction has on combustion in a stove. Perhaps measured by emissions or task. 

IMO the Classification Tool below has only two components of any importance and the other two should not even be considered. 1) the carbon storage value and the 4) the particle size distribution is important. The 2) fertilizers value and the 3) liming not important - with comment.

Comment: Biochar lasts and works for us for a thousand years. Fertilizer and liming is only for Day One. The liming is only important if a lot is applied (like in a potting mix) and fertilizer value the same or if the char has been fortified with fertilizer. In most cases the fertilizer will be very low and the liming will be taken care of soon as when the char is mixed into the receiving soil. So if you have a soil with a high pH and you want to add biochar  that has high liming - go ahead and add it. Deal with the high pH (add sulfur and gypsum and acidifying fertilizers or compost and organic fertilizers) and let the char help you for the next thousand years. If you have a char that has been fortified with fertilizer you no longer have a char you can test. You have a fertilizer it must be tested according to USDA procedures (in the US) and that requires  good lab equipment. IMO char can only be tested before it is added to anything. Once its added you cannot get the Carbon Storage value because that is based on the carbon structure of the char and that determined by the H/C ratio. Adding other materials having hydrogen and carbon means the results no longer ‘reads’ the carbon structure in the char only.   

The carbon storage value is a difficult test in that it takes a CHN analyzer that is expensive and difficult to work and maintain. The particle size is important but I would suggest re-designing the procedure. We want to determine the size range it will be in when applying to the field. Char breaks easily. So I would suggest a procedure  like what is used to determine ‘hardness’ (wrong word) for pellets then measure the size distribution after the soft stuff breaks into dust (like after shipping).  There is not much I like about the read below. 

Regards
Frank


Frank Shields
franke at cruzio.com


> On Jun 3, 2015, at 12:08 AM, Crispin Pemberton-Pigott <crispinpigott at outlook.com> wrote:
> 
> Dear Frank
> 
> Is the equipment setup and analysis methods for testing biomass essentially the same as for biochar? Here is a message from the IBI on methods :
> 
> The IBI Biochar Classification Tool <http://ibi.memberclicks.net/message2/link/20f0e689-f8fe-4c09-96ab-515c0db92436/1>—derived from the paper A Biochar Classification System and Associated Test Methods1—classifies four biochar properties: 1) carbon storage value, 2) fertilizer value (Phosphorous, Potassium, Sulfur, and Magnesium only), 3) liming value, and 4) particle size distribution. In addition, the tool provides the fertilizer grade for six plant nutrients (Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), Potassium (K), Sulfur (S), Calcium (Ca), and Magnesium (Mg)). To classify a biochar with the tool, users must have laboratory-measured values of: hydrogen to organic carbon ratio (H/Corg) and organic carbon concentrations (Corg); plant-available levels of P, K, S, and Mg; calcium carbonate equivalent (% Calcium carbonate (CaCO3)-eq); and particle size distribution. To provide the fertilizer grade, users must have laboratory-measured values of total and plant-available levels of N, P, K, S, Ca, and Mg. 
> 
> Thanks
> Crispin 
> 
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