International Biochar Initiative Publications

The Use of Biochar in Composting - 20/2/2015

Marta Camps, Massey University; and Thayer Tomlinson, International Biochar Initiative February 2015

Both compost and biochar production are methods to utilize and recycle organic wastes. This paper provides information on the use of biochar in composting and highlights the potential benefits, which include the ability to accelerate the process of composting and reduce the loss of nutrients, among others.  

A Guide to Conducting Biochar Trials - 20/4/2009

Biochar has been shown to benefit crop growth and yield, and is a promising material for use in agriculture. However, as is the case for any soil amendment, its efficacy must be shown in a variety of cropping systems, and at this time (2009) optimal application rates have yet to be determined. Also, many groups and individuals coming from a variety of backgrounds are interested in testing biochar. This is why the International Biochar Initiative (IBI) has produced this guide, to help those interested in testing biochar in soil to design and run sound experiments, the results of which can be used to draw strong conclusions and can be disseminated to a wide audience.

Guidelines for the Development and Testing of Pyrolysis Plants to Produce Biochar - 20/6/2010

This document was produced to assist in the development and testing of small pyrolysis plants and provides advice on equipment design and testing as well as the specification and testing of the biochar product.

The International Biochar Initiative encourages innovation and development of biochar production technologies at all scales. Because there are personal and environmental health and safety risks inherent in producing biochar, IBI has developed these Guidelines to assist in the safe and effective development and testing of biochar production technologies.

The top concerns are to:

• Ensure the safety of equipment operators and the general public
• Minimise emissions of atmospheric contaminants
• Produce biochar that is suitable for soil application (refer to documentation of International Biochar Initiative‘s Characterisation Workgroup for parameters).

IBI seeks to promote biochar for environmental management and biochar production methods which are safe and beneficial for people and the environment. You can find more information about the IBI and about biochar at the IBI website: www.biochar-international.org

Biochar Field Studies: An IBI Research Summary - 20/5/2013

Biochar is a solid material obtained from the thermochemical conversion of biomass in an oxygen-limited environment. Biochar can be used as a product itself or as an ingredient within a blended product, with a range of applications as an agent for soil improvement, improved resource use efficiency, remediation and/or protection against particular environmental pollution, and as an avenue for greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation.

Guidelines on Practical Aspects of Biochar Application to Field Soil in Various Soil Management Systems - 20/11/2010

This guide provides an overview of current biochar knowledge pertinent to its application to soil, and gives ideas for using biochar in a variety of soil management systems. Very little data is currently available on practical aspects of working with biochar, including labor requirements, economic feasibility and efficacy. This guide summarizes what is known so far and is intended as a practical guide for farmers and others engaged in biochar field trials.

Implications and Risks of Potential Dioxin Presence in Biochar - 20/4/2012

The International Biochar Initiative (IBI) is a non-governmental organization (ngo) that promotes the development of biochar systems that follow Cradle-to-Cradle sustainability guidelines. As a new industry, it is important that systems for biochar production and use be analyzed and monitored for environmental impact and sustainability. Biochar systems analysis begins with complete characterization of biochar materials, and IBI has published Standardized Product Definition and Product Testing Guidelines for Biochar That Is Used in Soil (hereinafter referred to as Biochar Standards and Testing Guidelines) that provide a consistent framework for measuring and reporting essential biochar properties (physical and chemical), as well as determining whether any contaminants are present in a biochar material.

Poultry Litter Biochar – a US Perspective - 20/6/2012

This paper outlines the specific characteristics of poultry litter (PL) biochar based on existing research and literature, a limited number of demonstration projects in the US, and the potential market opportunities for this type of biochar. It highlights the general characteristics of PL biochar, the benefits of PL biochar production, the challenges  for farmers, the uses for PL biochar (outside a soil amendment), and the alternative uses for poultry litter.

Pyrolysis and Gasification of Biosolids to Produce Biochar - 20/6/2013

The need to dispose of human-generated waste streams is growing in line with the expansion of urban population centers. This is particularly true for the byproducts of wastewater treatment. According to the US EPA, there are over 7 million dry tons of biosolids (stabilized sewage sludge) produced per year in the US. In 2004, 49% of biosolids were beneficially used—primarily for agricultural land application—with most of the remainder either landfilled or incinerated (NEBRA 2007). Because biosolids have a high nutrient content, land application as a fertilizer substitute is an appealing management strategy. Yet concerns around nutrient run-off and contamination of waterways have led to tighter environmental controls making land application increasingly tenuous. Promising alternate management strategies exist but are in early stages of development. Pyrolysis and gasification—a continuum of thermochemical conversion processes—have been shown to minimize harmful air emissions, while producing energy and biochar, a carbon-rich solid material with beneficial soil health properties. This white paper briefly explores experiences of pyrolysis and gasification of biosolids as a waste management strategy, and research into biosolids biochar (BSB) as a soil amendment.

IBI Technical Bulletin #104

Biochar has been shown to be beneficial for growing crops. For farmers and gardeners, biochar provides a unique opportunity to improve soil fertility for the long term using locally available materials. Used alone, or in combinations, compost, manure, and/or synthetic fertilizers are added at certain rates every year to soils, in order to realize benefits. Application rates of these inputs can potentially be reduced when biochar is used as a soil amendment. However, biochar materials can vary widely in their characteristics and so can soils. For these reasons, we recommend that farmers and gardeners always test a new biochar material before using it in their soil.

This guide is intended for farmers and gardeners who want to conduct basic, simple tests with biochar to ensure that the material is safe to apply to their soil, and to test its effects on plant growth. By carrying out these tests, farmers and gardeners should be able to decide whether to incorporate biochar into larger areas of soil and into their own management practices. For more complex testing of biochar to generate data valid for statistically testing the significance of results, see the IBI publication, Guide to Conducting Biochar Trials, available at www.biochar-international.org/publications/IBI.

IBI Technical Bulletin #103

Biochar is mostly composed of highly stable forms of black carbon and it can be used as a tool for carbon sequestration in soil. There is also interest in using biochar to create permanent landscape art, including as part of projects (such as 350.org) aimed at raising public awareness about climate change mitigation. This is a relatively new idea, and this Technical Bulletin is intended to provide ideas for creating biochar designs in the landscape. It also lists precautions which must be taken when embarking on such projects.

For instance, you should always test your biochar first to make sure it will give you the result you want. See IBI Technical Bulletin #101: Quick tests to determine whether a biochar material contains compounds that are potentially harmful to plants.