Update on Personal-Size Biochar Production

and Other Biochar TopicsPaul S. Anderson, PhDpsanders@ilstu.edu

Chip Energy (Co-founder and Partner)Biomass Energy Foundation (Board Member)

Presentation for the Illinois Biochar Group on 9 June 2011, at ISTC, Champaign, IL

Micro-Gasification

• Micro-Gasification: What it is and why it works (2007), Anderson, Reed and Wever. on the Internet at:http://www.hedon.info/docs/BP53-Anderson-14.pdf

• Manual of Micro-Gasification (2011), Christa Roth, on the Internet courtesy of GIZ.

www.gtz.de/de/dokumente/giz2011-en-micro-gasification.pdf

TLUD Pyrolytic Gasifiers

• TLUD = Top-Lit UpDraft• Initially developed (since 1985) for cookstove

applications for developing societies.• Produce charcoal that is considered to be

good biochar.• Recent efforts to make larger units.• CHAB = Combined Heat And Biochar

Gases rise & charcoal forms from upper fuel when

pyrolysis progresses downward

into the raw fuel.

Secondary air enters

Combustion zone & heat application * * * * *

“Reactor” or gas generation device or pyrolysis unit, including fuel chamber inside.ND = Natural Draft

“Champion” TLUD-ND gasifier (2008)

Variations of TLUD gasifier cookstoves.

[ Top row is with fans. ]

5-gallonBucket

TLUD Biochar Maker

55-gal TLUD Biochar Maker“Jolly Rogers” DesignBy Rogers, Clayton,

McLaughlin, and Anderson Named after John Rogers of

Melbourne, Florida, who has 4 similar models and is probably

the #1 biochar producing individual in Ameirca.

55-gal TLUD Biochar Maker

“Jolly Rogers”DesignBlower is optional, but adds control.ll

Biochar in Australia

• Very active individuals.• Successful 5-day workshop/camp in May 2011.– Over 40 participants– Conducted by the Biomass Energy Foundation

(BEF), with instructors McLaughlin and Anderson.

***************************************Next BEF Workshop/Camp in North America is

on 8 – 12 August in western Massachusetts.

Characterization of Biochar

• Lack of progress under IBI leadership.• Concern by USBI individuals.• What is the interest level of the Illinois Biochar

Group or its individual members?

Book Publication

• The Biochar Revolution, edited by Dr. Paul Taylor, [2010].

• 20 chapters; 361 pages.• Copy is on display. • On Amazon for $39, but elsewhere for $25,

including via the Biomass Energy Foundation.

Additional Capacities

• Paul Wever of Chip Energy will present next about:

• “Stove Pipe Stove and Biochar Maker• Chip Energy Biomass Furnace and Biochar

Maker