Benefits & Uses of Biochar
Session Title
Streaming Media
Location
CC 101
Start Date
16-10-2013 10:00 AM
End Date
16-10-2013 11:30 AM
Session Description
Co-location synergies: Biomethane & Biochar Production: John Medeima, BioLogical Carbon
Biochar Filters Impact on Anaerobic Digestion: Matthew Smith, WSU
The Benefits of a Manure-based Biochar: Mike McGolden
Biochar has been in existence for thousands of years. However, it has only been in the past decade that there has been a resurgence in the thirst for knowledge about biochar and research into how it is made and its impact on the environment.
This resurgence has brought about a tremendous amount of research and a rapid growth in education among the general population about biochar – especially in the past 5 years. However, this history and almost all of the research has been with wood-based biochars. The use of manure as the feedstock to produce biochar is very limited; but the benefits are significant and also different from those of traditional wood-based biochars. The nutrient composition of the biochar from manure offers additional benefits not seen from other biochars. It also has a virtually unlimited supply of feedstock and in volumes that allow for larger systems without costly transportation of fuel. On the other hand, the use of manure as a fuel presents some technological challenges that wood does not.
Environmentally and economically, manure-based biochar can provide the solution to many of the problems facing agriculture today.
Included in
Agricultural and Resource Economics Commons, Organizational Communication Commons, Other Environmental Sciences Commons, Soil Science Commons
Manure Management & Biochar
CC 101
Co-location synergies: Biomethane & Biochar Production: John Medeima, BioLogical Carbon
Biochar Filters Impact on Anaerobic Digestion: Matthew Smith, WSU
The Benefits of a Manure-based Biochar: Mike McGolden
Biochar has been in existence for thousands of years. However, it has only been in the past decade that there has been a resurgence in the thirst for knowledge about biochar and research into how it is made and its impact on the environment.
This resurgence has brought about a tremendous amount of research and a rapid growth in education among the general population about biochar – especially in the past 5 years. However, this history and almost all of the research has been with wood-based biochars. The use of manure as the feedstock to produce biochar is very limited; but the benefits are significant and also different from those of traditional wood-based biochars. The nutrient composition of the biochar from manure offers additional benefits not seen from other biochars. It also has a virtually unlimited supply of feedstock and in volumes that allow for larger systems without costly transportation of fuel. On the other hand, the use of manure as a fuel presents some technological challenges that wood does not.
Environmentally and economically, manure-based biochar can provide the solution to many of the problems facing agriculture today.
Bio and Photo
Mike McGolden has been the President of Coaltec Energy since it began in 2000 and has been involved in the development of the company, its projects and the evolvement of its technology since that time. With an engineering background and over 20 years of experience managing large production operations, Mike brings practical and operating expertise to a technology-based company.