[Gasification] [Stoves] Karve connecting Biochar and Biogas

Crispin Pemberton-Pigott crispinpigott at gmail.com
Tue Oct 11 11:21:10 CDT 2011


Dear Ron’N’All

 

I think everyone involved in the gas business is clear that the production increase is the predictable results of a change in fuel (not grasses/dung) to high starch/sugar feedstocks.

 

The increase in gas is not apparently the result of the char which is used more as a culture or host medium to ensure inoculation of the incoming feedstock. The speed of gas production is the result of the material ingested.

 

Dr AD has been in communication with David House (author of the most important handbook on the subject) and everyone seems agreed on the basics. The producing increase by this means was demonstrated as long ago as the 1920’s.

 

Regards

Crispin

 

 

From: stoves-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org [mailto:stoves-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of rongretlarson at comcast.net
Sent: October-05-11 11:05 PM
To: Anand Karve; gasification at lists.bioenergylists.org; Discussion of biomass; biochar; digestion
Subject: [Stoves] 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





The remainder from AD Karve today on the gasification list:

 There are a lot of very simple ideas that need to be tested.  I am
currently working on increasing the efficiency of biogas digesters and
feel that it might be possible to reduce the size and the capital
expense of a biogas system. For instance, when I filled the digester
with charcoal, my system accepted three times the normal daily input
and produced three times as much gas.
   < snip>
Yours
A.D.Karve
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