Permachar
Just had a period of reflection about where biochar could go in the future. Here are some of my points of interest...
- Remove Carbon from the atmosphere converting biomass waste to biochar with, eg., Kon-Tiki 'Essential' (KTE), Flame Cap 'Algorithm' Panel Kiln (FCAPK), Navigator Stove TLUD series etc.
- 'In Situ Biochar Utilisation in a Cascade of Uses' (ISBUCU) eg. Air filtration->Water filtration->Sanitation->Growing systems (Biochar produced on site used in a cascade of uses with minimal logistics C footprint moving around biochar)
- Save money with less inputs for the same or higher yield eg. Growing systems (less water, fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides), construction, such as 'hempcharcrete' preformed panels etc.
- Cool the Planet and make money with 'Carbon Dioxide Removal' (CDR) credits (or different acronyms depending on the 'Carbon Removal Marketplace' (CRM) platform of choice)
- Feelin' great knowing that you're helping 'Save the Planet' (and your conscience)
- Avoid 'Carbon tunnel vision' with practically unlimited economic applications and integrations aka:
- Integrate the applications for 'Regenerative Integrated Circular Bioregions' (RICB)
What stove and kiln tech could be used for ISBUCU and RICB?
- The small/ISBUCU scale could use the TLUD stoves for biochar
- The small scale to medium scale could use the KTEs (a flame cap cone kiln) or other ideas, such as the 'Ring of Fire' (a flame cap tube kiln)
- The medium scale could use the yet-to-be-built Flame Cap 'Algorithm' Panel Kiln (with expandable volume and minimal feedstock processing)
- The large/RICB scale could use continuous pyrolysis kilns eg.rotary or conveyer, with cogeneration for process heat (feedstock drying, space heating etc.) and heat to power
(ORCs, Stirling engines, TEGs etc.)
RICB
A network of RICBs within National boundaries could be built as an objective for a just green transition to more closely integrate ecology and some, but not all, physical economy. Basically - a
system within a system, or rather, holarchies within holarchy, like running a second horse for an insurance policy against global inflation and recession (possibly caused by a range of factors
including climate change, war, pandemic, cyber attacks, general AI sentience, quantum computing (Shor's algorithm) etc.). I predict the system would have greater economic complexity/diversity,
stability and sustainability than the present physical economy, with a combination of Traditional approaches eg. First Nation's 'Care for Country' (which includes a spiritual dimension) and
contemporary 'Environmental Management' approaches, with some overlap, for water management and conservation to increase climate resilience and preparation for climate-related disasters (and
whatever else). Regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, forestry, horticulture, permaculture and other industries/stakeholders could play into it too. A prototype of a bioregion was built in
South Australia, known as the AMLR NRM board, but was shut down in SA on 1/7/2020. A map of bioregions could be used as a basis for the system found here:
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/land/nrs/science/ibra
but ultimately every existing system or 'overlay' will crossover and interact between RICB boundaries. I consider each RICB as a multi-functional cluster that would be both competitive and
collaborative with other RICBs in the network. A flat management hierarchy with representatives from every RICB in communication could be implemented. The tricky bit is how this system
could integrate with the Federation and local Gov in Oz and what resources could be allocated to achieve it's goals.
Bioregional Integrations
Scalable appropriate technology ideas, can flow from the small to the large and the large eg.bags of biochar from Council green waste, sewage and crop processing waste eg.hemp; food and medicine (grown in biochar), building materials eg.hempcharcrete, bamboo etc. to supplement the small if it can't be produced/not efficient to produce at the household scale. Circularity of biochar could include using crop waste to produce biochar to grow more crops with more crop waste converted to more biochar... - regenerative motion around the circle! How many regenerative circular cascades of uses of biochar can you imagine? Some cascades for biochar will ultimately end in permanent and linear C sinks eg.buildings, paths, roads etc. - but not all.
Steel
For every logistics problem there is a solution. If it moves, it uses energy and probably, at this point in time in Oz, with a C footprint. Steel, essential for stove and kiln production at this point in time anywhere, can be produced in Oz but it has to compete on the world market.
https://oec.world/en/profile/bilateral-product/iron-steel/reporter/aus
Or - could 'Green steel independence' (similar to real 'Energy independence') be achieved in Oz, given that we have more iron ore and renewable energy than we could ever use? Could be a question for a future blog.
Kiln selection
It's not just the available biomass waste/biochar quantity requirements that determine the scale of pyrolysis kilns/machines needed. It's the application - possibly in a cascade of uses, directly/indirectly (after inoculation with nutrients, minerals, microbes and fungus) applied to the fields or integrated with other systems and/or technologies.
There's also an increasing number of specialised kilns for a specific feedstock.
Advanced biochar-based materials may also require specialised kilns.
So, the pyrolysis kiln tech is now in muddy waters.
I'm now moving along the track of embedded operating software for custom stove and kiln hardware.
You are welcome to contact me on the 'Contact' page for an initial free kiln consult and we can talk shop.
That's all for now :)
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