Can portable pyrolysis units make biomass utilization affordable while using bio-char to enhance soil productivity and sequester carbon?

M Coleman; J Page-Dumroese; J Archuleta; P Badger; W Chung; Tyron J Venn; D Loeffler; G Jones; K McElligott

Conference paper

Can portable pyrolysis units make biomass utilization affordable while using bio-char to enhance soil productivity and sequester carbon?

M Coleman, J Page-Dumroese, J Archuleta, P Badger, W Chung, Tyron J Venn, D Loeffler, G Jones and K McElligott

Integrated Management of Carbon Sequestration and Biomass Utilization Opportunities in a Changing Climate: Proceedings of the 2009 National Silviculture Workshop; 2009 June 15-18; Boise, ID, pp.159-168

U.S. Department of Agriculture

2010

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Abstract

Crop and Pasture Production

Environmental Science and Management

bioenergy bio-oil

carbon sequestration

soil productivity

We describe a portable pyrolysis system for bioenergy production from forest biomass that minimizes long-distance transport costs and provides for nutrient return and long-term soil carbon storage. The cost for transporting biomass to conversion facilities is a major impediment to utilizing forest biomass. If forest biomass could be converted into bio-oil in the field, it may be more profitable to utilize forest biomass for bioenergy. Bio-oil can substitute for fuel oil, or be used as a crude oil and further refined into additional products. Transporting energy-dense bio-oil is more cost effective than transporting bulky, low-value biomass. In-woods pyrolysis can also address concerns over removing nutrients and carbon from forest sites through reapplication of bio-char, a pyrolysis by-product, which is equivalent to the charcoal found in all fire ecosystems. Bio-char is 70-80 percent carbon and retains most nutrients contained in biomass. It can be used as a soil amendment to enhance soil productivity through a liming effect, which improves cation exchange capacity and base saturation, increasing anion availability, improving water holding capacity and decreasing bulk density.

Details

Title: Can portable pyrolysis units make biomass utilization affordable while using bio-char to enhance soil productivity and sequester carbon?
Authors: M Coleman (Author) - University of Idaho, United States
J Page-Dumroese (Author) - USDA Forest Service, United States
J Archuleta (Author) - USDA Forest Service, United States
P Badger (Author) - Renewable Oil International, LLC, United States
W Chung (Author) - University of Montana, United States
Tyron J Venn (Author) - University of Montana, United States
D Loeffler (Author) - University of Montana, United States
G Jones (Author) - USDA Forest Service, United States
K McElligott (Author) - University of Idaho, United States
Publication details: Integrated Management of Carbon Sequestration and Biomass Utilization Opportunities in a Changing Climate: Proceedings of the 2009 National Silviculture Workshop; 2009 June 15-18; Boise, ID, pp.159-168
Publisher: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Date published: 2010
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449232402621
Output Type: Conference paper

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