Biochar
Biochar is a name for charcoal when it is used for particular purposes, especially as a soil amendment. Like all charcoal, biochar is created bypyrolysis of biomass. Biochar has the potential to help mitigate climate change, via carbon sequestration. Independently, biochar can increase soil fertility ofacidic soils (low pH soils), increase agricultural productivity, and provide protection against some foliar and soil-borne diseases Furthermore, biochar reduces pressure on forests.Biochar is a stable solid, rich incarbon and can endure in soil for thousands of years.
Here at EarthDoctors we have developed a proto-type Biochar making machine and will be manking and testing Biochar over the next 6 months - fondly called Puffless Billy (after the famous steam engine Puffing Billy). Watch this space on updates on our progress to date. If you want any info about biochar or our machine - please do not hesitate to contact us
our July 2014 visit to the British Biochar Convention.
Start of Burn
End of Burn
About 30 litres of biochar
Thanks to Northern Powergrid for funding a renewable energy options appraisal in Wylam and Heddon. This study by North Energy Associates recommended taking forward Biochar in the local area. We have applied to the Rural Community Energy Fund for a detailed feasibility study for a Biochar scheme which has been supported by Wylam and Heddon parish Councils. The panel reviewing our application have approved the application and it is has been put forward for final approval from DECC and DEFRA mid March. Read our EARTH DOCTORS LTD:RENEWABLE ENERGY OPTIONS FEASIBILITY STUDY HERE
