The Kon-Tiki 'Rolls' biochar kiln

ITEM TEMPORARILY DISCONTINUED DUE TO A CHANGE IN BUSINESS DIRECTION - A 'supply chain hardened' Kon-Tiki 'Essential' (see page)

Design Features

It makes medium-sized batches of biochar! 

  • Dimensions are 1.2m(W) x1.2m(L) x 0.92m(H)
  • Weighs 150kg with a volume of 377 litres
  • All cones are made from 3mm HW350 weathering steel with a dished bottom and central 2" drain for drainage. In other words, the kiln can be left outside or stored inside. 
  • The cone finds a natural level for balancing during use (especially good for slight inclines/declines plus 2 brakes on the casters help steady the kiln) and is manually tilted/tipped over a pivot on the cradle for emptying. 
  • Removable heavy duty 8" solid rubber wheels on casters (2 with brakes) enable the 'Rolls' to freely move around different terrain/surfaces and can be rolled onto and off a standard trailer for remote burns. 
  • For shipping/transportation, the 'Rolls' can roll onto a 1200x1200 pallet or trailer for A to B. 
  • The 'Rolls' will be supplied with a galvanised 'Quad' (4 pieces) collapsible heat shield. 
  • A drain is supplied with a standard 2" 316 stainless steel elbow welded at the cone base connected to a 1" (600mm) galvanised pipe and 1" ball valve. The 2" elbow also allows for other drain configurations. The drain can easily connect to 1" Ag line (commonly available in Australia). The Ag line can connect to an electric submersible water pump (powered by AC mains/battery with an AC port) at the bottom of a water-filled IBC for quenching the burn and draining the kiln after a burn (with the pump in reverse). Note that the ag line, pump, battery, IBC and water are not supplied.
  • The drain allows flooding the kiln for a full, safe quench of the hot char and saves water compared to top/above cone water quenches. Hot quenching washes the char, reduces condensates (tar) and increases activity, pore volume and surface area of the biochar via steam activation.
  • The quench water can be reused in subsequent burns. It just needs to be topped up from time to time with water and whatever else you want to add eg. liquid sea kelp, fertiliser etc.
  • The mobility of the kiln is perfect for alley cropping eg.orchards, agroforestry, silvopasture etc. since the kiln can be rolled along the alleys and burn piles of prunings on site/location

Using the Kon-Tiki 'Rolls' biochar kiln

INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR KON-TIKI 'ROLLS'
Microsoft Word Document 8.7 KB

R&D notes

Future add-ons and modifications for the Kon-Tiki 'Essential' and 'Rolls'

-essential oil distillation

-rotisserie

-hot water

*Additional equipment that could be solar powered or TEG powered via cogeneration on the kiln

-Additional steam activation for increased surface area for many applications eg.water filtration, animal dietary supplement eg.livestock, chickens, pets etc., medicine, chemisorption for polluted water etc.

-Electric roller mill for milling the biochar at different grades for different applications.