WO2017049202A1 - Solution de biocharbon en suspension - Google Patents

Solution de biocharbon en suspension Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017049202A1
WO2017049202A1 PCT/US2016/052306 US2016052306W WO2017049202A1 WO 2017049202 A1 WO2017049202 A1 WO 2017049202A1 US 2016052306 W US2016052306 W US 2016052306W WO 2017049202 A1 WO2017049202 A1 WO 2017049202A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
biochar
solution
water
particles
liquid
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Application number
PCT/US2016/052306
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English (en)
Inventor
Mark L. JARAND
Daren Einar DAUGAARD
Timothy Alan THOMPSON
Han Suk KIM
Michael William METIER
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Cool Planet Energy Systems, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Publication date
Priority claimed from US14/873,053 external-priority patent/US10252951B2/en
Priority claimed from US15/156,256 external-priority patent/US9809502B2/en
Priority claimed from US15/184,763 external-priority patent/US10392313B2/en
Priority claimed from US15/184,325 external-priority patent/US10550044B2/en
Priority claimed from US15/263,227 external-priority patent/US10233129B2/en
Application filed by Cool Planet Energy Systems, Inc. filed Critical Cool Planet Energy Systems, Inc.
Publication of WO2017049202A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017049202A1/fr

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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
    • C05F—ORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C, e.g. FERTILISERS FROM WASTE OR REFUSE
    • C05F11/00—Other organic fertilisers
    • C05F11/02—Other organic fertilisers from peat, brown coal, and similar vegetable deposits

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a biochar solution which consists of a liquid product containing a suspension of biochar particles and a method to create a suspended biochar solution.
  • Biochar has been known for many years as a soil enhancer. It contains highly porous, high carbon content material similar to the type of very dark, fertile anthropogenic soil found in the Amazon Basin known as Terra Preta. Terra Preta has very high charcoal content and is made from a mixture of charcoal, bone, and manure. Biochar is created by the pyrolysis of biomass, which generally involves heating and/or burning of organic matter, in a reduced oxygen environment, at a predetermined rate. Such heating and/or burning is stopped when the matter reaches a charcoal like stage.
  • the highly porous material of biochar is perfectly suited to host beneficial microbes, retain nutrients, hold water, and act as a delivery system for a range of beneficial compounds suited to specific applications.
  • biochar fines or dust particles are created. Along with the loss of useful product, these dust particles can be harmful for biochar manufacturing and agricultural distribution equipment. Due to the equipment not being equipped to handle the dust and fine remnants of the biochar, the dust and fine particles have the potential to clog and damage the manufacturing and distribution equipment.
  • the various particle size distribution found during biochar manufacturing leads to distribution problems with agricultural equipment and causes the necessity of sizing equipment and costly capital expenditure.
  • the light density of the biochar dust particles also makes mixing of growth enhancers such as fertilizers or microbes difficult as it allows for settling, separation, and distribution problems.
  • the present invention relates to a liquid product containing a suspension of biochar particles and method for producing this biochar solution using additives to enhance product application, agricultural growth, improved biology and microbiology in the rhizosphere, and improved use of water and nutrients in or applied during the growing season to the soil, soilless media, hydroponics, or other systems. Additionally, this product may be used as a mechanism to deliver biochar, microbes, and other compounds necessary for microbial life simultaneously through a wide variety of agricultural equipment.
  • the method includes producing a solution that may contain a mixture of biochar particles, water and xanthan gum and/or other additives to keep the biochar in flowable suspension.
  • the method comprises the steps of (i) collecting or producing biochar particles of the proper size; (ii) dispersing the biochar particles in a liquid solution; (iii) removing large particles if necessary; and (iv) adding one or more stabilizing agents to keep the biochar in flowable suspension. It should be noted that these steps can be performed in any order, or steps may be repeated during the process. Through this process, a consistent, dust free, biochar solution is created that can be easily distributed and applied in small and large scale applications and with existing agricultural irrigation and/or fertilization technology. Additionally, this method allows for much improved field mixing of other additives, inputs, or amendments in many agricultural situations.
  • biochar solution By creating a suspended biochar solution, the variety of methods available for its application is abundant. Application methods that include the use of pumps and sprays can be used, which methods may be selected based on the area to be covered. Sprayers, booms, and misting heads can be an efficient way to apply the biochar solution to a large area, while backpacks or hose sprayers can be sufficient for smaller applications. Aside from spraying applications, biochar solution may also be pumped through the ground to eliminate the potential for wind erosion while allowing for faster infiltration into the soil. Furthermore, biochar solution can be used in connection with a variety of equipment used for hydroseeding or liquid fertilizer application. Specialized devices to mix and/or apply this solution may also be envisioned by one skilled in the art. As there are so many different options to apply biochar solution, much time and expense can be saved.
  • biochar solutions can infiltrate some soil types much more efficiently. Not only is the delivery of biochar faster, but there is little delay of the plants' ability to utilize the physical and chemical properties of biochar. The application of biochar solution in the soil results in more consistently fuller plants with unvarying vitality and longevity that can ultimately be maintained with less water.
  • the suspended biochar solution can be created with either raw biochar or treated biochar that is treated in the manner or method further described below.
  • the biochar may be treated or processed in accordance with the methods outlined in United States Patent Application No. 14/873,053, or other related work which has been incorporated into this application previously by reference.
  • the biochar in this, or the following application methods may be treated or processed to enhance certain characteristics, such as pH, hydrophilicity, ion exchange, or removal of other deleterious substances which may impede positive benefits. Many of these modifications can be important in improving the efficacy of application - especially at lower rates.
  • the biochar solution can be applied through a wide range of devices, including pumpable and sprayable equipment.
  • the application of the biochar solution can be used for trees, row crops, vines, turf grasses, potted plants, flowering plants, annuals, perennials, evergreens and seedlings.
  • the biochar solution may also be applied to animal pens, bedding, and/or other areas where animal waste is present to reduce odor and emission of unpleasant or undesirable vapors.
  • compost piles to reduce odor, emissions, and temperature or even to areas where fertilizer or pesticide runoff is occurring to slow or inhibit leaching and runoff.
  • the biochar solution may be incorporated into or around the root zone of a plant.
  • biochar solution may also be utilized and applied through irrigation equipment.
  • the suspended biochar solution can be added to the liquid to provide further soil enhancement characteristics.
  • the solution can even be used as a "root dip" to coat the root tissue or root ball of a plant, tree, or shrub during transplanting, movement, or installation.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a cross-section of one example of a raw biochar particle.
  • Figure 2a is a SEM (10KV x 3.00K ⁇ . ⁇ ) of pore morphology of treated biochar made from pine.
  • Figure 2b is a SEM (10KV x 3.00K ⁇ . ⁇ ) of pore morphology of treated biochar made from birch.
  • Figure 2c is a SEM (10KV x 3.00K ⁇ . ⁇ ) of pore morphology of treated biochar made from coconut shells.
  • Figure 3 is a chart showing porosity distribution of various biochars.
  • Figure 4 is a flow chart process diagram of one implementation of a process for treating the raw biochar in accordance with the invention.
  • Figure 4a illustrates a schematic of one example of an implementation of a biochar treat processes that that includes washing, pH adjustment and moisture adjustment.
  • Figure 4b illustrates yet another example of an implementation of a biochar treatment processing that includes inoculation.
  • Figure 5 is a schematic flow diagram of one example of a treatment system for use in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 6 is a chart showing the water holding capacities of treated biochar as compared to raw biochar and sandy clay loam soil and as compared to raw biochar and soilless potting soil.
  • Figure 7 illustrates the different water retention capacities of raw biochar versus treated biochar measured gravimetrically.
  • Figure 8 is a chart showing the plant available water of raw biochar compared to treated biochar (wet and dry).
  • Figure 9 is a chart showing the weight loss of treated biochars verses raw biochar samples when heated at varying temperatures using a TGA testing method.
  • Figure 10 is a flow diagram showing one example of a method for infusing biochar.
  • Figure 11 illustrates the improved liquid content of biochar using vacuum impregnation as against soaking the biochar in liquid.
  • Figure 12a is a chart comparing total retained water of treated biochar after soaking and after vacuum impregnation.
  • Figure 12b is a chart comparing water on the surface, interstitially and in the pores of biochar after soaking and after vacuum impregnation.
  • Figure 13 illustrates how the amount of water or other liquid in the pores of vacuum processed biochars can be increased varied based upon the applied pressure.
  • Figure 14 illustrates the effects of NPK impregnation of biochar on lettuce yield.
  • Figure 15 is a chart showing nitrate release curves of treated biochars infused with nitrate fertilizer.
  • Figure 16 is a flow diagram of one example of a method for producing a suspended biochar solution.
  • the present invention relates to a biochar solution and a method for producing biochar solutions that can be used in agricultural distribution equipment or be hand distributed by consumers for uniform application to achieve the highest positive impact on soils, plant life, or the soil biome or microbiome.
  • raw biochar may be treated to increase the water holding and retention capacities of the overall soil. Through treatment, the properties of the raw biochar can be modified to significantly increase the biochar' s ability to retain water and/or nutrients while also, in many cases, creating an environment beneficial to microorganisms.
  • the processing of the biochar can also ensure that the pH, hydrophilicity, particle size, usable pore volume, flow characteristics, and other important physical and chemical properties of biochar used in the present application ares suitable for creating soil conditions beneficial for plant growth, which has been a challenge for raw biochars.
  • biochar shall be given its broadest possible meaning and shall include any solid materials obtained from the pyrolysis, torrefaction, gasification or any other thermal and/or chemical conversion of a biomass, where the biochar contains at least 55% carbon based upon weight.
  • Pyrolysis is generally defined as a thermochemical decomposition of organic material at elevated temperatures in the absence of, or with reduced levels of oxygen.
  • biochar may include, but not be limited to, BMF char disclosed and taught by U.S. Patent 8,317,891, which is incorporated into this application by reference, and those materials falling within the IBI and AAPFCO definition of biochar.
  • treated or undergoes “treatment,” it shall mean raw, pyrolyzed biochar that has undergone additional physical, biological, and/or chemical processing.
  • carbonaceous As used herein, unless specified otherwise, the terms "carbonaceous”, “carbon based”, “ carbon containing”, and similar such terms are to be given their broadest possible meaning, and would include materials containing carbon in various states, crystallinities, forms and compounds.
  • room temperature is 25 °C.
  • standard temperature and pressure is 25°C and 1 atmosphere.
  • the term "about” is meant to encompass a variance or range of +10%, the experimental or instrument error associated with obtaining the stated value, and preferably the larger of these.
  • biochars typically include porous carbonaceous materials, such as charcoal, that are used as soil amendments or other suitable applications.
  • Biochar most commonly is created by pyrolysis of a biomass.
  • biochar provides the benefit of reducing carbon dioxide (C0 2 ) in the atmosphere by serving as a method of carbon sequestration.
  • C0 2 carbon dioxide
  • biochar has the potential to help mitigate climate change, via carbon sequestration.
  • the use of biochar in agricultural applications must become widely accepted, e.g. , ubiquitous. Unfortunately, because of the prior failings in the biochar arts, this has not occurred. It is believed that with the solutions of the present invention may this level of use of biochar be achieved; and more importantly, yet heretofore unobtainable, realize the benefit of significant carbon sequestration.
  • one advantage of putting biochar in soil includes long term carbon sequestration. It is theorized that as worldwide carbon dioxide emissions continue to mount, benefits may be obtained by, controlling, mitigating and reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the oceans. It is further theorized that increased carbon dioxide emissions are associated with the increasing industrial development of developing nations, and are also associated with the increase in the world's population. In addition to requiring more energy, the increasing world population will require more food. Thus, rising carbon dioxide emissions can be viewed as linked to the increasing use of natural resources by an ever increasing global population. As some suggest, this larger population brings with it further demands on food production requirements. Biochar uniquely addresses both of these issues by providing an effective carbon sink, e.g.
  • Biochar can be made from basically any source of carbon, for example, from hydrocarbons (e.g. , petroleum based materials, coal, lignite, peat) and from a biomass (e.g. , woods, hardwoods, softwoods, waste paper, coconut shell, manure, chaff, food waste, etc.). Combinations and variations of these starting materials, and various and different members of each group of starting materials can be, and are, used. Thus, the large number of vastly different starting materials leads to biochars having different properties.
  • hydrocarbons e.g. , petroleum based materials, coal, lignite, peat
  • a biomass e.g. , woods, hardwoods, softwoods, waste paper, coconut shell, manure, chaff, food waste, etc.
  • pyrolysis or carbonization processes can be, and are used to create biochars.
  • these processes involve heating the starting material under positive pressure, reduced pressure, vacuum, inert atmosphere, or flowing inert atmosphere, through one or more heating cycles where the temperature of the material is generally brought above about 400°C, and can range from about 300°C to about 900°C.
  • the percentage of residual carbon formed and several other initial properties are strong functions of the temperature and time history of the heating cycles. In general, the faster the heating rate and the higher the final temperature the lower the char yield. Conversely, in general, the slower the heating rate or the lower the final temperature the greater the char yield.
  • the higher final temperatures also lead to modifying the char properties by changing the inorganic mineral matter compositions in addition to surface organic chemistries, which in turn, modify the char properties.
  • Ramp, or heating rates, hold times, cooling profiles, pressures, flow rates, and type of atmosphere can all be controlled, and typically are different from one biochar supplier to the next. These differences potentially lead to a biochar having different properties, further framing the substantial nature of one of the problems that the present inventions address and solve.
  • hydrogen and oxygen are first removed in gaseous form by the pyrolytic decomposition of the starting materials, e.g. , the biomass.
  • the free carbon atoms group or arrange into crystallographic formations known as elementary graphite crystallites.
  • pyrolysis involves thermal decomposition of carbonaceous material, e.g. , the biomass, eliminating non-carbon species, and producing a fixed carbon structure.
  • raw or untreated biochar is generally produced by subjecting biomass to either a uniform or varying pyrolysis temperature (e.g. , 300° C to 550° C to 750° C or more) for a prescribed period of time in a reduced oxygen environment. This process may either occur quickly, with high reactor temperature and short residence times, slowly with lower reactor temperatures and longer residence times, or anywhere in between.
  • a uniform or varying pyrolysis temperature e.g. , 300° C to 550° C to 750° C or more
  • This process may either occur quickly, with high reactor temperature and short residence times, slowly with lower reactor temperatures and longer residence times, or anywhere in between.
  • the biomass from which the char is obtained may be first stripped of debris, such as bark, leaves and small branches, although this is not necessary.
  • the biomass may further include feedstock to help adjust the pH, cationic and anionic exchange capacity, hydrophilicity, and particle size distribution in the resulting raw biochar.
  • Trace materials usually in gaseous form, but potentially in other forms, may also be injected during the pyrolysis process with the intention of either modifying the characteristics of the raw biochar produced, or for potential situation on the raw biochar so that those materials, or a descendant material created by thermal or chemical reaction during pyrolysis, may be reacted with other compounds during the treatment process.
  • biochar particles can have a very wide variety of particle sizes and distributions, usually reflecting the sizes occurring in the input biomass. Additionally, biochar can be ground, sieved, strained, or crushed after pyrolysis to further modify the particle sizes. Typically, for agricultural uses, biochars with consistent, predictable particle sizes are more desirable.
  • the biochar particles can have particle sizes as shown or measured in Table 1 below. When referring to a batch having 1 ⁇ 4 inch particles, the batch would have particles that will pass through a 3 mesh sieve, but will not pass through (i.e., are caught by or sit atop) a 4 mesh sieve.
  • biochar particles having particle sizes from about 3/4 mesh to about 60/70 mesh, about 4/5 mesh to about 20/25 mesh, or about 4/5 mesh to about 30/35 mesh.
  • smaller mesh sizes ranging from 200, to 270, to 325, to 400 mesh or beyond may be desirable.
  • smaller mesh sizes (below 140 mesh) are also desirable although not strictly necessary. It is understood that the desired mesh size, and mesh size distribution can vary depending upon a particular application for which the biochar is intended.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-section of one example of a raw biochar particle.
  • a biochar particle 100 is a porous structure that has an outer surface 100a and a pore structure 101 formed within the biochar particle 100.
  • the terms "porosity”, “porous”, “porous structure”, and “porous morphology” and similar such terms are to be given their broadest possible meaning, and would include materials having open pores, closed pores, and combinations of open and closed pores, and would also include macropores, mesopores, and micropores and combinations, variations and continuums of these morphologies.
  • pore volume is the total volume occupied by the pores in a particle or collection of particles
  • inter- particle void volume is the volume that exists between a collection of particle
  • solid volume or volume of solid means is the volume occupied by the solid material and does not include any free volume that may be associated with the pore or inter-particle void volumes
  • bulk volume is the apparent volume of the material including the particle volume, the inter-particle void volume, and the internal pore volume.
  • the pore structure 101 forms an opening 121 in the outer surface 100a of the biochar particle 100.
  • the pore structure 101 has a macropore 102, which has a macropore surface 102a, and which surface 102a has an area, i.e. , the macropore surface area. (In this diagram only a single micropore is shown. If multiple micropores are present than the sum of their surface areas would equal the total macropore surface area for the biochar particle.) From the macropore 102, several mesopores 105, 106, 107, 108 and 109 are present, each having its respective surfaces 105a, 106a, 107a, 108a and 109a.
  • each mesopore has its respective surface area; and the sum of all mesopore surface areas would be the total mesopore surface area for the particle.
  • the mesopores e.g. , 107
  • each micropore has its respective surface area and the sum of all micropore surface areas would be the total micropore surface area for the particle.
  • the sum of the macropore surface area, the mesopore surface area and the micropore surface area would be the total pore surface area for the particle.
  • Macropores are typically defined as pores having a diameter greater than 300 nm, mesopores are typically defined as diameter from about 1-300 nm, and micropores are typically defined as diameter of less than about 1 nm, and combinations, variations and continuums of these morphologies.
  • the macropores each have a macropore volume, and the sum of these volumes would be the total macropore volume.
  • the mesopores each have a mesopore volume, and the sum of these volumes would be the total mesopore volume.
  • the micropores each have a micropore volume, and the sum of these volumes would be the total micropore volume. The sum of the macropore volume, the mesopore volume and the micropore volume would be the total pore volume for the particle.
  • the pore morphology in a biochar particle may have several of the pore structures shown, it may have mesopores opening to the particle surface, it may have micropores opening to particle surface, it may have micropores opening to macropore surfaces, or other combinations or variations of interrelationship and structure between the pores. It should further be understood that the pore morphology may be a continuum, where moving inwardly along the pore from the surface of the particle, the pore transitions, e.g. , its diameter becomes smaller, from a macropore, to a mesopore, to a micropore, e.g. , macropore 102 to mesopore 109 to micropore 114.
  • porosity is provided as the ratio of the total pore volumes (the sum of the micro + meso + macro pore volumes) to the solid volume of the biochar. Porosity of the biochar particles can be determined, or measured, by measuring the micro-, meso-, and macro pore volumes, the bulk volume, and the inter particle volumes to determine the solid volume by difference. The porosity is then calculated from the total pore volume and the solid volume. [055] As noted above, the use of different biomass potentially leads to biochars having different properties, including, but not limited to different pore structures.
  • the surface area and pore volume for each type of pore can be determined by direct measurement using C0 2 adsorption for micro-, N2 adsorption for meso- and macro pores and standard analytical surface area analyzers and methods, for example, particle analyzers such as Micrometrics instruments for meso- and micro pores and impregnation capacity for macro pore volume.
  • particle analyzers such as Micrometrics instruments for meso- and micro pores and impregnation capacity for macro pore volume.
  • Mercury porosimetry which measures the macroporosity by applying pressure to a sample immersed in mercury at a pressure calibrated for the minimum pore diameter to be measured, may also be used to measure pore volume.
  • the total micropore volume can be from about 2% to about 25% of the total pore volume.
  • the total mesopore volume can be from about 4% to about 35% of the total pore volume.
  • the total macropore volume can be from about 40% to about 95% of the total pore volume.
  • Figure 3 shows a bar chart setting out examples of the pore volumes for s ample biochars made from peach pits 201, juniper wood 202, a first hard wood 203, a second hard wood 204, fir and pine waste wood 205, a first pine 206, a second pine 207, birch 208 and coconut shells 209.
  • treatment can increase usable pore volumes and, among other things, remove obstructions in the pores, which leads to increased retention properties and promotes further performance characteristics of the biochar. Knowing the properties of the starting raw biochar, one can treat the biochar to produce controlled, predictable and optimal resulting physical and chemical properties.
  • the rationale for treating the biochar after pyrolysis is that given the large internal pore volume and large interior surface area of the biochars, it is most efficient to make significant changes in the physical and chemical properties of the biochar by treating both the internal and external surfaces and internal pore volume of the char.
  • Testing has demonstrated that if the biochar is treated, at least partially, in a manner that causes the forced infusion and/or diffusion of liquids and/or vapors into and/or out of the biochar pores (through mechanical, physical, or chemical means), certain properties of the biochar can be altered or improved over and above simply contacting these liquids with the biochar.
  • the raw biochar can then be treated in a manner that results in the treated biochar having controlled optimized properties.
  • treating and/or washing the biochar in accordance with the present invention involves more than simply contacting, washing or soaking, which generally only impacts the exterior surfaces and a small percentage of the interior surface area.
  • “Washing” or “treating” in accordance with the present invention involves treatment of the biochar in a manner that causes the forced, accelerated or assisted infusion and/or diffusion of liquids, vapors, and/or additivities into and/or out of the biochar pores (through mechanical, physical, biological, or chemical means) such that certain properties of the biochar can be altered or improved over and above simply contacting these liquids with the biochar or so that treatment becomes more efficient or rapid from a time standpoint over simple contact or immersion.
  • effective treatment processes can mitigate deleterious pore surface properties, remove undesirable substances from pore surfaces or volume, and impact anywhere from between 10% to 99% or more of pore surface area of a biochar particle.
  • the treated biochars can exhibit a greater capacity to retain water and/or other nutrients as well as being more suitable habitats for some forms of microbial life.
  • agricultural applications can realize increased moisture control, increased nutrient retention, reduced water usage, reduced water requirements, reduced runoff or leaching, increased nutrient efficiency, reduced nutrient usage, increased yields, increased yields with lower water requirements and/or nutrient requirements, increases in beneficial microbial life, improved performance and/or shelf life for inoculated bacteria, increased efficacy as a substrate for microbial growth or fermentation, and any combination and variation of these and other benefits.
  • Treatment further allows the biochar to be modified to possess certain known properties that enhance the benefits received from the use of biochar. While the selection of feedstock, raw biochar and/or pyrolysis conditions under which the biochar was manufactured can make treatment processes less cumbersome, more efficient and further controlled, treatment processes can be utilized that provide for the biochar to have desired and generally sustainable resulting properties regardless of the biochar source or pyrolysis conditions. As explained further below, treatment can (i) repurpose problematic biochars, (ii) handle changing biochar material sources, e.g.
  • Treatment can impact both the interior and exterior pore surfaces, remove harmful chemicals, introduce beneficial substances, and alter certain properties of the biochar and the pore surfaces and volumes. This is in stark contrast to simple washing, contact, or immersion which generally only impacts the exterior surfaces and a small percentage of the interior surface area. Treatment can further be used to coat substantially all of the biochar pore surfaces with a surface modifying agent or impregnate the pore volume with additives or treatment to provide a predetermined feature to the biochar, e.g. , surface charge and charge density, surface species and distribution, targeted nutrient addition, magnetic modifications, root growth facilitator, and water absorptivity and water retention properties.
  • a surface modifying agent or impregnate the pore volume with additives or treatment to provide a predetermined feature to the biochar, e.g. , surface charge and charge density, surface species and distribution, targeted nutrient addition, magnetic modifications, root growth facilitator, and water absorptivity and water retention properties.
  • treatment can also be used to remove undesirable substances from the biochar, such as dioxins or other toxins either through physical removal or through chemical reactions causing neutralization.
  • treatment can be used to adjust the size of the biochar particles themselves, as well as adjusting the distribution of particle sizes in a particular mixture of biochar.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic flow diagram of one example treatment process 400 for use in accordance with the present invention.
  • the treatment process 400 starts with raw biochar 402 that may be subjected to one or more reactors or treatment processes prior to bagging 420 the treated biochar for resale.
  • 404 represents reactor 1, which may be used to treat the biochar.
  • the treatment may be a simple water wash or may be an acid wash used for the purpose of altering the pH of the raw biochar particles 402.
  • the treatment may also contain a surfactant or detergent to aid the penetration of the treatment solution into the pores of the biochar.
  • the treatment may optionally be heated, cooled, or may be used at ambient temperature or any combination of the three.
  • a water and/or acid/alkaline wash 404 (the latter for pH adjustment) may be the only necessary treatment prior to bagging the biochar 420. If, however, the moisture content of the biochar needs to be adjusted, the treated biochar may then be put into a second reactor 406 for purposes of reducing the moisture content in the washed biochar. From there, the treated and moisture adjusted biochar may be bagged 420.
  • the treated moisture adjusted biochar may then be passed to a third reactor 408 for inoculation, which may include the impregnation of biochar with beneficial additives, such as nutrients, bacteria, microbes, fertilizers or other additives.
  • beneficial additives such as nutrients, bacteria, microbes, fertilizers or other additives.
  • the inoculated biochar may be bagged 420, or may be yet further processed, for example, in a fourth reactor 410 to have further moisture removed from or added to the biochar. Further moisture adjustment may be accomplished by placing the inoculated biochar in a fourth moisture adjustment reactor 410 or circulating the biochar back to a previous moisture adjustment reactor (e.g.
  • Figure 4a illustrates a schematic of one example of an implementation of biochar processing that includes washing the pores and both pH and moisture adjustment.
  • Figure 4b illustrates yet another example of an implementation of biochar processing that includes inoculation.
  • raw biochar 402 is placed into a reactor or tank 404.
  • a washing or treatment liquid 403 is then added to a tank and a partial vacuum, using a vacuum pump, 405 is pulled on the tank.
  • the treating or washing liquid 403 may be used to clean or wash the pores of the biochar 402 or adjust the chemical or physical properties of the surface area or pore volume, such as pH level, usable pore volume, or VOC content, among other things.
  • the vacuum can be applied after the treatment liquid 403 is added or while the treatment liquid 403 is added.
  • the washed/ adjusted biochar 410 may be moisture adjusted by vacuum exfiltration 406 to pull the extra liquid from the washed/moisture adjusted biochar 410 or may be placed in a centrifuge 407, heated or subjected to pressure gradient changes (e.g., blowing air) for moisture adjustment.
  • the moisture adjusted biochar 412 may then be bagged or subject to further treatment. Any excess liquids 415 collected from the moisture adjustment step may be disposed of or recycled, as desired.
  • biochar fines may be collected from the excess liquids 415 for further processing, for example, to create a slurry, cakes, or biochar extrudates.
  • the process itself may be calibrated such that particles of various sizes follow different paths through the process.
  • hydrodynamic, aerodynamic, or other sorting of particles during the process can be integrated into any of the stages that involve flow or movement of particles.
  • the residual gaseous environment in the tanks or centrifuges may be either ambient air, or a prescribed gas or combination of gasses to impact (through assistance or attenuation) reactivity during the process.
  • a positive pressure pump may be used to apply positive pressure to the tank 404.
  • applying positive pressure to the tank may also function to force or accelerate the washing or treating liquid 403 into the pores of the biochar 402. Any change in pressure in the tank 404 or across the surface of the biochar could facilitate the exchange of gas and/or moisture into and out of the pores of the biochar with the washing or treating liquid 403 in the tank. Accordingly, changing the pressure in the tank and across the surface of the biochar, whether positive or negative, is within the scope of this invention.
  • the atmosphere of the tank may be air or other gaseous mixture, prior to the intuition of the pressure change.
  • the washed/ adjusted biochar 410 or the washed/ adjusted and moisture adjusted biochar 412 may be further treated by inoculating or impregnating the pores of the biochar with an additive 425.
  • the biochar can be further moisture adjusted by vacuum filtration 406 to pull the extra liquid from the washed/moisture adjusted biochar 410 or may be placed in a centrifuge 407 for moisture adjustment.
  • the resulting biochar 430 can then be bagged. Any excess liquids 415 collected from the moisture adjustment step may be disposed of or recycled, as desired.
  • biochar particulates or "fines" which easily are suspended in liquid may be collected from the excess liquids 415 for further processing, for example, to create a slurry, biochar extrudates, or merely a biochar product of a consistently smaller particle size.
  • both processes of the Figure 4a and 4b can be performed with a surfactant solution in place of, or in conjunction with, the vacuum 405.
  • the treatment process can be geared to treat different forms of raw biochar to achieve treated biochar properties known to enhance these characteristics.
  • the treatment may be the infusion of an acid solution into the pores of the biochar using vacuum, surfactant, or other treatment means.
  • This treatment of pore infusion through, for example, the rapid, forced infusion of liquid into and out the pores of the biochar, has further been proven to sustain the adjusted pH levels of the treated biochar for much longer periods than biochar that is simply immersed in an acid solution for the same period of time.
  • excess liquid and other selected substances e.g. chlorides, dioxins, and other chemicals, to include those previously deposited by treatment to catalyze or otherwise react with substances on the interior or exterior surfaces of the biochar
  • excess liquid and other selected substances e.g. chlorides, dioxins, and other chemicals, to include those previously deposited by treatment to catalyze or otherwise react with substances on the interior or exterior surfaces of the biochar
  • FIG. 5 illustrates one example of a system 500 that utilizes vacuum impregnation to treat raw biochar.
  • raw biochar particles and preferably a batch of biochar particles, are placed in a reactor, which is connected to a vacuum pump, and a source of treating liquid (i.e. water or acidic/basis solution).
  • a source of treating liquid i.e. water or acidic/basis solution.
  • the valve to the reactor is closed, the pressure in the reactor is reduced to values ranging from 750 Torr to 400 Torr to 10 Torr or less.
  • the biochar is maintained under vacuum ("vacuum hold time") for anywhere from seconds to 1 minute to 10 minutes, to 100 minutes, or possibly longer.
  • a vacuum hold time of from about 1 to about 5 minutes can be used if the reactor is of sufficient size and sufficient infiltrate is available to adjust the necessary properties.
  • the treating liquid may then be introduced into the vacuum chamber containing the biochar.
  • the treating liquid may be introduced into the vacuum chamber before the biochar is placed under a vacuum.
  • treatment may also include subjecting the biochar to elevated temperatures from ambient to about 250 °C or reduced temperatures to about -25° C or below, with the limiting factor being the temperature and time at which the infiltrate can remain flowable as a liquid or semi-liquid.
  • the infiltrate or treating liquid is drawn into the biochar pore, and preferably drawn into the macropores and mesopores.
  • the infiltrate can coat anywhere from 10% to 50% to 100% of the total macropore and mesopore surface area and can fill or coat anywhere from a portion to nearly all (10% - 100%) of the total macropore and mesopore volume.
  • the treating liquid can be left in the biochar, with the batch being a treated biochar batch ready for packaging, shipment and use in an agricultural or other application.
  • the treating liquid may also be removed through drying, treatment with heated gases, subsequent vacuum processing, centrifugal force (e.g. , cyclone drying machines or centrifuges), dilution, or treatment with other liquids, with the batch being a treated biochar batch ready for packaging, shipment and use in an agricultural application.
  • a second, third or more infiltration, removal, infiltration and removal, and combinations and variations of these may also be performed on the biochar with optional drying steps between infiltrations to remove residual liquid from and reintroduce gasses to the pore structure if needed.
  • the liquid may contain organic or inorganic surfactants to assist with the penetration of the treating liquid.
  • a system 500 for providing a biochar preferably having predetermined and generally uniform properties.
  • the system 500 has a vacuum infiltration tank 501.
  • the vacuum infiltration tank 501 has an inlet line 503 that has a valve 504 that seals the inlet line 503.
  • the starting biochar is added to vacuum infiltration tank 501 as shown by arrow 540.
  • a vacuum is applied to the tank, by a vacuum pump connected to vacuum line 506, which also has valve 507.
  • the starting biochar is held in the vacuum for a vacuum hold time.
  • Infiltrate, as shown by arrow 548 is added to the tank 501 by line 508 having valve 509.
  • the infiltrate is mixed with the biochar in the tank 501 by agitator 502.
  • the mixing process is done under vacuum for a period of time sufficient to have the infiltrate fill the desired amount of pore volume, e.g. , up to 100% of the macropores and mesopores.
  • the infiltrate may be added to the vacuum infiltration tank 501 before vacuum is pulled on the tank.
  • one or more selected gasses may be added to the tank.
  • infiltrate is added in the tank in an amount that can be impregnated into the biochar and optionally, the gasses introduced can also potentially impact the reactivity of the liquid as well as any organic or inorganic substances on the surface or in the pore volume of the biochar.
  • the biochar is circulated in the tank to cause the infiltrate to fill the pore volume.
  • the agitation of the biochar during this process can be performed through various means, such as a rotating tank, rotating agitator, pressure variation in the tank itself, or other means.
  • the biochar may be dried using conventional means before even the first treatment. This optional pre-drying can remove liquid from the pores and in some situations may increase the efficiency of impregnation due to pressure changes in the tank.
  • the infiltrated biochar can be moved by conveyor 514, as shown by arrow 542, to a drying apparatus 516, e.g. , a centrifugal dryer or heater, where water, infiltrate or other liquid is removed by way of line 517, and the dried biochar leaves the dryer through discharge line 518 as shown by arrow 545, and is collected in bin 519.
  • the biochar is removed from the bin by discharge 520.
  • the biochar may be shipped as a treated biochar for use in an agriculture application, as shown by arrow 547.
  • the biochar may also be further processed, as shown by 546.
  • the biochar could be returned to tank 501 (or a second vacuum infiltration tank) for a further infiltration step.
  • the drying step may be repeated either by returning the dry biochar to the drying apparatus 516, or by running the biochar through a series of drying apparatus, until the predetermined dryness of the biochar is obtained, e.g. , between 50% to less than 1 % moisture.
  • the system 500 is illustrative of the system, equipment and processes that can be used for, and to carry out the present inventions.
  • the vacuum infiltration tank can be a sealable off-axis rotating vessel, chamber or tank. It can have an internal agitator that also when reversed can move material out, empty it, (e.g. , a vessel along the lines of a large cement truck, or ready mix truck, that can mix and move material out of the tank, without requiring the tank's orientation to be changed). Washing equipment may be added or utilized at various points in the process, or may be carried out in the vacuum tank, or drier, (e.g.
  • wash fluid added to biochar as it is placed into the drier for removal can be carried out.
  • Other steps such as bagging, weighing, the mixing of the biochar with other materials, e.g. , fertilized, peat, soil, etc. can be carried out.
  • positive pressure can be applied, if needed, to enhance the penetration of the infiltrate or to assist with re-infusion of gaseous vapors into the treated char.
  • the infiltrate may have soluble gasses added which then can assist with removal of liquid from the pores, or gaseous treatment of the pores upon equalization of pressure.
  • the biochar may also be treated using a surfactant.
  • the same or similar equipment used in the vacuum infiltration process can be used in the surfactant treatment process.
  • the vacuum infiltration tank or any other rotating vessel, chamber or tank can be used.
  • a surfactant such as yucca extract
  • the quantity of the surfactant added to the infiltrate may vary depending upon the surfactant used.
  • organic yucca extract can be added at a rate of between 0.1 - 20%, but more preferably 1-5% by volume of the infiltrate.
  • the infiltrate with surfactant is then mixed with the biochar in a tumbler for several minutes, e.g. , 3-5 minutes, without applied vacuum.
  • a vacuum or positive pressure may be applied with the surfactant to improve efficiency and penetration, but is not strictly necessary.
  • infiltrate to which the surfactant or detergent is added may be heated or may be ambient temperature or less.
  • the mixture of the surfactant or detergent, as well as the char being treated may be heated, or may be ambient temperature, or less.
  • excess free liquid can be removed in the same manner as described above in connection with the vacuum infiltration process. Drying, also as described above in connection with the vacuum infiltration process, is an optional additional step.
  • surfactant treatment a number of other surfactants may be used for surfactant treatment, which include, but are not limited to, the following: nonionic types, such as, ethoxylated alcohols, phenols- lauryl alcohol ethoxylates, Fatty acid esters- sorbitan, tween 20, amines, amides- imidazoles; anionic types, such as sulfonates- arylalkyl sulfonates and sulfate- sodium dodecyl sulfate; cationic types, such as alkyl- amines or ammoniums- quaternary ammoniums; and amphoteric types, such as betaines- cocamidopropyl betaine. Additionally biosurfactants, or microbes which produce bio surfactants such as Flavabacte urn sp. may also be used.
  • nonionic types such as, ethoxylated alcohols, phenols- lauryl alcohol eth
  • the biochar may also be treated by applying ultrasonics.
  • the biochar may be contacted with a treating liquid that is agitated by ultrasonic waves.
  • a treating liquid that is agitated by ultrasonic waves.
  • contaminants may be dislodged or removed from the biochar due to bulk motion of the fluid in and around the biocarbon, pressure changes, including cavitation in and around contaminants on the surface, as well as pressure changes in or near pore openings (cavitation bubbles) and internal pore cavitation.
  • agitation will cause contaminants of many forms to be released from the internal and external structure of the biochar.
  • the agitation also encourages the exchange of water, gas, and other liquids with the internal biochar structure.
  • Contaminants are transported from the internal structure to the bulk liquid (treating fluid) resulting in biochar with improved physical and chemical properties.
  • the effectiveness of ultrasonic cleaning is tunable as bubble size and number is a function of frequency and power delivered by the transducer to the treating fluid
  • raw wood based biochar between 10 microns to 10 mm with moisture content from 0% to 90% may be mixed with a dilute mixture of acid and water (together the treating liquid) in a processing vessel that also translates the slurry (the biochar/treating liquid mixture).
  • the slurry passes near an ultrasonic transducer to enhance the interaction between the fluid and biochar.
  • the biochar may experience one or multiple washes of dilute acid, water, or other treating fluids.
  • the biochar may also make multiple passes by ultrasonic transducers to enhance physical and chemical properties of the biochar.
  • a large volume of slurry can continuously pass an ultrasonic device and be degassed and wetted to its maximum, at a rapid processing rate.
  • the slurry can also undergo a separation process in which the fluid and solid biochar are separated at 60% effectiveness or greater.
  • the pH of the biochar, or other physical and chemical properties may be adjusted and the mesopore and macropore surfaces of the biochar may be cleaned and enhanced.
  • ultrasonic treatment can be used in combination with bulk mixing with water, solvents, additives (fertilizers, etc.), and other liquid based chemicals to enhance the properties of the biochar.
  • the biochar may be subject to moisture adjustment, further treatment and/or inoculation using any of the methods set forth above.
  • ultrasonic technology may also be used to modify (usually reduce) the size of the biochar particles while retaining much, most, or nearly all of the porosity and pore structure. This yields smaller size particles with different morphologies than other methods of sizing such as grinding, crushing, sieving, or shaking.
  • the treatment process may include two steps, which in certain applications, may be combined: (i) washing and (ii) inoculation of the pores with an additive.
  • the desired additive is the same and that being inoculated into the pores, e.g. , water
  • the step of washing the pores and inoculating the pores with an additive may be combined.
  • washing is generally done for one of three purposes: (i) to modify the surface of the pore structure of the biochar (i.e., to allow for increased retention of liquids); (ii) to modify the pH of the biochar; and/or (iii) to remove undesired and potentially harmful compounds or gases.
  • biochar is treated, at least partially, in a manner that causes the infusion and/or effusion of liquids and/or vapors into and/or out of the biochar pores (through mechanical, physical, biological, or chemical means), certain beneficial properties of the biochar can be altered, enhanced or improved through treatment.
  • the raw biochar can then be treated in a manner that results in the treated biochar having controlled optimized properties and greater levels of consistency between batches as well as between treated biochars arising from various feedstocks.
  • biochars can have improved physical and chemical properties over raw biochar.
  • the treatment processes of the invention modify the surfaces of the pore structure to provide enhanced functionality and to control the properties of the biochar to achieve consistent and predicable performance.
  • anywhere from at least 10% of the total pore surface area up to 90% or more of the total pore surface area may be modified.
  • such modification may be substantially and uniformly achieved for an entire batch of treated biochar.
  • the hydrophilicity of the surface of the pores of the biochar is modified, allowing for a greater water retention capacity, as well as, perhaps more importantly, more effective association of water loving biology (such as plant root tissue and other microbial life) with the material.
  • gases and other substances are also removed from the pores of the biochar particles, also contributing to the biochar particles' increased water holding capacity.
  • the ability of the biochar to retain liquids, whether water or additives in solution is increased, which also increases the ability to load the biochar particles with large volumes of inoculant, infiltrates and/or additives.
  • a batch of biochar has a bulk density, which is defined as weight in grams (g) per cm 3 of loosely poured material that has or retains some free space between the particles.
  • the biochar particles in this batch will also have a solid density, which is the weight in grams (g) per cm 3 of just particles, i.e., with the free space between the particles removed.
  • the solid density includes the air space or free space that is contained within the pores, but not the free space between particles.
  • the actual density of the particles is the density of the material in grams (g) per cm 3 of material, which makes up the biochar particles, i.e., the solid material with pore volume removed.
  • the treated biochars can have impregnation capacities that are larger than could be obtained without infiltration, e.g. , the treated biochars can readily have 10%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or most preferably, 60%- 100% of their total pore volume filled with an infiltrate, e.g. , an inoculant.
  • the impregnation capacity is the amount of a liquid that a biochar particle, or batch of particles, can absorb.
  • the ability to make the pores surface hydrophilic, and to infuse liquid deep into the pore structure through the application of positive or negative pressure and/or a surfactant, alone or in combination, provides the ability to obtain these high impregnation capabilities.
  • the treated biochars can have impregnation capacities, i.e., the amount of infiltrate that a particle can hold on a volume held/total volume of a particle basis, that is greater than 0.2 cm 3 /cm 3 to 0.8 cm 3 /cm 3 .
  • FIG. 6 has two charts showing the water retention capacities of planting substrates versus when mixed with raw and treated biochar.
  • the raw and treated biochar are derived from coconut biomass.
  • the soils sampled are loam and sandy clay soil and a common commercial horticultural peat and perlite soilless potting mix.
  • the charts show the retained water as a function of time.
  • chart A of Figure 6 the bottom line represents the retained water in the sandy claim loam soil over time.
  • the middle line represents the retained water in the sandy clay soil with 20% by volume percent of unprocessed raw biochar.
  • the top line represents the retained water in the sandy clay loam soil with 20% by volume percent of treated biochar (adjusted and inoculated biochar).
  • Chart B of Figure 6 represents the same using peat and perlite soilless potting mix rather than sandy clay loam soil.
  • the treated biochar has an increased water retention capacity over raw biochar of approximately 1.5 times the raw biochar.
  • testing of treated biochar derived from pine have also shown an approximate 1.5 times increase in water retention capacity over raw biochar.
  • the water retention capacity of treated biochar could be as great as three time that of raw biochar.
  • Water holding capacity which may also be referred to as “Water Retention Capacity,” is the amount of water that can be held both internally within the porous structure and in the interparticle void spaces in a given batch of particles. While a summary of the method of measure is provided above, a more specific method of measuring water holding capacity/water retention capacity is measured by the following procedure: (i) drying a sample of material under temperatures of 105 °C for a period of 24 hours or using another scientifically acceptable technique to reduce the moisture content of the material to less than 2%, less than 1%; and preferably less than .5% (ii) placing a measured amount of dry material in a container; (iii) filling the container having the measured amount of material with water such that the material is completely immersed in the water; (iv) letting the water remain in the container having the measured amount of material for at least ten minutes or treating the material in accordance with the invention by infusing with water when the material is a treated biochar; (v) draining the water from the
  • the water holding/water retention capacity is determined by measuring the difference in weight of the material from step (vi) to step (viii) over the weight of the material from step (viii) (i.e., wet weight-dry weight/dry weight).
  • Figure 7 illustrates the different water retention capacities of raw biochar versus treated biochar measured gravimetrically. As illustrated, water retention capacity of raw biochar can be less than 200%, whereas treated biochar can have water retention capacities measured gravimetrically greater than 100%, and preferably between 200 and 400%.
  • Water holding capacity can also be measured volumetrically and represented as a percent of the volume of water retained in the biochar after gravitationally draining the excess water/volume of biochar
  • the volume of water retained in the biochar after draining the water can be determined from the difference between the water added to the container and water drained off the container or from the difference in the weight of the wet biochar from the weight of the dry biochar converted to a volumetric measurement.
  • This percentage water holding capacity for treated biochar may be 30% and above by volume, and preferably 50-55 percent and above by volume.
  • FIG 8 illustrates the plant available water in raw biochar, versus treated biochar and treated dried biochar and illustrates that treated biochar can have a plant available water percent of greater than 35% by volume.
  • Plant Available Water is the amount of unbound water in the material available for plants to uptake. This is calculated by subtracting the water content at permanent wilting point from the water content at field capacity, which is the point when no water is available for the plants.
  • Field capacity is generally expressed as the bulk water content retained at -33 J/kg (or -0.33 bar) of hydraulic head or suction pressure.
  • Permanent wilting point is generally expressed as the bulk water content retained at -1500 J/kg (or -15.0 bar) of hydraulic head or suction pressure.
  • Treated biochar of the present invention has also demonstrated the ability to retain more water than raw biochar after exposure to the environment for defined periods of time.
  • “remaining water content” can be defined as the total amount of water that remains held by the biochar after exposure to the environment for certain amount of time. Exposure to environment is exposure at ambient temperature and pressures.
  • remaining water content can be may be measured by (i) creating a sample of biochar that has reached its maximum water holding capacity; (ii) determining the total water content by thermogravimetric analysis (H20 (TGA)), as described above on a sample removed from the output of step (i) above, (iii) exposing the biochar in the remaining sample to the environment for a period of 2 weeks (15 days, 360 hrs.); (iv) determining the remaining water content by thermogravimetric analysis (H20 (TGA)); and (v) normalizing the remaining (retained) water in mL to 1 kg or 1 L biochar.
  • H20 thermogravimetric analysis
  • the percentage of water remaining after exposure for this two- week period can be calculated by the remaining water content of the biochar after the predetermine period over the water content of the biochar at the commencement of the two- week period.
  • treated biochar has shown to retain water at rates over 4x that of raw biochar.
  • the following amount of water can remain in treated biochar after two weeks of exposure to the environment: 100-650 mL/kg; 45-150 mL/L; 12-30 gal/ton; 3-10 gal/yd3 after 360 hours (15 days) of exposure to the environment.
  • biochar treated through vacuum impregnation can increase the amount of retained water in biochar about 3x compared to other methods even after seven weeks.
  • examples of the present biochars can retain more than 5% of their weight, more than 10% of their weight, and more than 15% of their weight, and more compared to an average soil which may retain 2% or less, or between 100-600 ml/kg by weight of biochar
  • Tests have also shown that treated biochars that show weight loss of > 1% in the interval between 43-60 °C when analyzed by the Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) (as described below) demonstrate greater water holding and content capacities over raw biochars. Weight loss of > 5%-15% in the interval between 38-68 °C when analyzed by the Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) using sequences of time and temperature disclosed in the following paragraphs or others may also be realized. Weight percentage ranges may vary from between > 1% - 15% in temperature ranges between 38-68 °C, or subsets thereof, to distinguish between treated biochar and raw biochar.
  • TGA Thermal Gravimetric Analysis
  • FIG. 9 is a chart 900 showing the weight loss of treated biochars 902 verses raw biochar samples 904 when heated at varying temperatures using the TGA testing described below. As illustrated, the treated biochars 902 continue to exhibit weight loss when heated between 40-60 °C when analyzed by the Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) (described below), whereas the weight loss in raw biochar 904 between the same temperature ranges levels off. Thus, testing demonstrates the presence of additional moisture content in treated biochars 902 versus raw biochars 904.
  • TGA Thermal Gravimetric Analysis
  • the treated biochars 902 exhibit substantial water loss when heated in inert gas such as nitrogen. More particularly, when heated for 25 minutes at each of the following temperatures 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 degrees Celsius, °C the treated samples lose about 5-% to 15% in the interval 43 - 60 °C and upward of 20-30% in the interval between 38- 68 °C.
  • the samples to determine the water content of the raw biochar were obtained by mixing a measured amount of biochar and water, stirring the biochar and water for 2 minutes, draining off the water, measuring moisture content and then subjecting the sample to TGA.
  • the samples for the treated biochar were obtained by using the same measured amount of biochar as used in the raw biochar sample, and impregnating the biochar under vacuum. Similar results are expected with biochar treated with a treatment process consistent with those described in this disclosure with the same amount of water as used with the raw biochar. The moisture content is then measured and the sample is subjected to TGA described above.
  • BCT Bontchev-Cheyne Test
  • TGA Thermal Gravimetric Analysis
  • Hitachi STA 7200 analyzer under nitrogen flow at the rate of 110 mL/min.
  • the biochar samples are heated for 25 minutes at each of the following temperatures: 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 0 C.
  • the sample weights are measured at the end of each dwell step, at the beginning and at the end of the experiment.
  • the analyzer also continually measures and records weight over time.
  • Biochars having enhanced water holding or retention capacities are those that exhibit weight loss of > 5% in the interval between 38-68 °C, > 1% in the interval between 43-60 °C. Biochars with greater water holding or retention capacities can exhibit > 5% weight loss in the interval between 43-60 °C measured using the above described BCT.
  • a batch of biochar has a bulk density, which is defined as weight in grams (g) of 1 cm 3 of loosely poured material that has or retains some free space between the particles.
  • the biochar particles in this batch will also have a solid density, which is the weight in grams (g) of 1 cm 3 of just particles, i.e., with the free space between the particles removed.
  • the solid density includes the air space or free space that is contained within the pores, but not the free space between particles.
  • the actual density of the particles is be the density of the material in grams (g) of 1 cm 3 of material, which makes up the biochar particles, i.e., the particle material with pore volume removed.
  • the treated biochars can have impregnation capacities that are larger than could be obtained without infiltration, e.g., the treated biochars can readily have 30%, 40%, 50%, or most preferably, 60%-100% of their total pore volume filled with an infiltrate, e.g., an inoculant.
  • the impregnation capacity is the amount of a liquid that a biochar particle, or batch of particles, can absorb.
  • the ability to make the pore morphology hydrophilic, and to infuse liquid deep into the pore structure through the application of positive or negative pressure and/or a surfactant, alone or in combination, provides the ability to obtain these high impregnation capabilities.
  • the treated biochars can have impregnation capacities, i.e., the amount of infiltrate that a particle can hold on a volume held/total volume of a particle basis that is greater than 0.2 cm3/cm3 to 0.8 cm3/cm3.
  • Resulting bulk densities of treated biochar can range from 0.1- 0.6 g/cm 3 and sometimes preferably between 0.3 - 0.6 g/cm 3 and can have solid densities ranging from 0.2 - 1.2 g/cm 3 .
  • the MED test was originally developed by Doerr in 1998 and later modified by other researchers for various materials.
  • the MED test is a timed penetration test that is noted to work well with biochar soil mixtures. For 100% biochar, penetration time of different mixtures of ethanol/water are noted to work better. Ethanol/W ater mixtures verses surface tension dynes were correlated to determine whether treated biochar has increased hydrophilicity over raw biochar. Seven mixtures of ethanol and deionized water were used with a sorption time of 3 seconds on the biochar.
  • the biochar (“material/substrate”) is placed in convenient open container prepared for testing. Typically, materials to be tested are dried 110° C overnight and cooled to room temperature. The test starts with a deionized water solution having no ethanol. Multiple drips of the solution are then laid onto the substrate surface from low height. If drops soak in less than 3 seconds, test records substrate as "0". If drops take longer than 3 seconds or don't soak in, go to test solution 1. Then, using test solution 1, multiple drops from dropper are laid onto the surface from low height. If drops soak into the substrate in less than 3 seconds, test records material as "1”. If drops take longer than 3 seconds, or don't soak in, go to test solution 2.
  • test solution 2 multiple drops from dropper laid onto the surface from low height. If drops soak into the substrate in less than 3 seconds, test records material as "2". If drops take longer than 3 seconds, or don't soak in, go to test solution 3. Then, using test solution 3, multiple drops from dropper laid onto the surface from low height. If drops soak into the substrate in less than 3 seconds, test records material as "3”. If drops take longer than 3 seconds, or don't soak in, go to solution 4.
  • the biochar can also be infused with soil enhancing agents.
  • soil enhancing agents By infusing liquid into the pore structure through the application of positive or negative pressure and/or a surfactant, alone or in combination, provides the ability to impregnate the macropores of the biochar with soil enhancing solutions and solids.
  • the pore surface properties of the biochar can be enhanced.
  • Such treatment processes may also permit subsequent processing, may modify the pore surface to provide predetermined properties to the biochar, and/or provide combinations and variations of these effects.
  • it may be desirable or otherwise advantageous to coat substantially all, or all of the biochar macropore and mesopore surfaces with a surface modifying agent or treatment to provide a predetermined feature to the biochar, e.g. , surface charge and charge density, surface species and distribution, targeted nutrient addition, magnetic modifications, root growth facilitator, and water absorptivity and water retention properties.
  • additives infused within the pores of the biochar provide a time release effect or steady flow of some beneficial substances to the root zones of the plants and also can improve and provide a more beneficial environment for microbes which may reside or take up residence within the pores of the biochar.
  • additive infused biochars placed in the soil prior to or after planting can dramatically reduce the need for high frequency application of additives, minimize losses caused by leaching and runoff and/or reduce or eliminate the need for controlled release fertilizers. They can also be exceptionally beneficial in animal feed applications by providing an effective delivery mechanism for beneficial nutrients, pharmaceuticals, enzymes, microbes, or other substances.
  • the infusion process includes a mechanical, chemical or physical process that facilitates or assist with the penetration of liquid or solution into the pores of the biochar, which process may include, but not be limited to, positive and negative pressure changes, such as vacuum infusion, surfactant infusion, or infusion by movement of the liquid and/or biochar (e.g., centrifugal force, steam and/or ultrasonic waves) or other method that facilitates, assists, forces or accelerates the liquid or solution into the pores of the biochar.
  • the biochar Prior to infusing the biochar, the biochar, as described in detail above, may be washed and/or moisture adjusted.
  • FIG 10 is a flow diagram 1000 of one example of a method for infusing biochar with an additive.
  • the biochar may first be washed or treated at step 1002, the wash may adjust the pH of the biochar, as described in more detail above, or may be used to remove elemental ash and other harmful organics that may be unsuitable for the desired infused fertilizer.
  • the moisture content of the biochar may then be adjusted by drying the biochar at step 1004, also as described in further detail above, prior to infusion of the additive or inoculant at step 1006.
  • the infusion process may be performed with or without any washing, prior pH adjustment or moisture content adjustment.
  • the infusion process may be performed with the wash and/or the moisture adjustment step. All the processes may be completed alone or in the conjunction with one or more of the others.
  • the pores of the biochar may be filled by 25%, up to 100%, with an additive solution, as compared to 1-20% when the biochar is only submerged in the solution or washed with the solution for a period of less than twelve hours. Higher percentages may be achieved by washing and/or drying the pores of the biochar prior to infusion.
  • Figures 12a and 12b show two charts that further illustrate that the total water and/or any other liquid content in processed biochar can be significantly increased using vacuum impregnation instead of soaking.
  • Figure 12a compares the mL of total water or other liquid by retained by 1 mL of treated pine biochar.
  • the graph 1202 shows that approximately .17 mL of water or other liquid are retained through soaking, while the graph 1204 shows that approximately .42 mL of water or other liquid are retained as a result of vacuum impregnation.
  • the percentage of water retained in the pores of pine derived biochar was measured to determine the difference in retained water in the pores of the biochar (i) soaked in water, and (ii) mixed with water subjected to a partial vacuum.
  • 250 mL of raw biochar was mixed with 500 mL water in a beaker.
  • aliquots of the suspended solid were taken, drained on a paper towel and analyzed for moisture content.
  • 250 mL of raw biochar was mixed with 500 mL water in a vacuum flask. The flask was connected to a vacuum pump and negative pressure of 15" has been applied, aliquots of the treated solid were taken, drained on a paper towel and analyzed for moisture content.
  • the moisture content of the biochar remains virtually constant for the entire duration of the experiment, 72 wt.%, (i.e. 1 g of vacuum impregnated biochar contains 0.72 g water and 0.28 g "dry biochar").
  • the volume of the 0.28 g "dry biochar” is 1.75 mL (i.e. 1.75 mL dry biochar under vacuum can "absorb” and retain 0.72 mL water, or 1 mL dry biochar can retain 0.41 mL water (sorbed on the surface and into the pores)).
  • the particles could be modeled and then tested to determine if soaking and/or treating the biochar could infuse enough water to make the density of the biochar greater than that of water.
  • the dry biochar would float and, if enough water infused into the pores, the soaked or treated biochar would sink. Knowing the density of water and the density of the biochar, calculations were done to determine the percentage of pores that needed to be filled with water to make the biochar sink. In this specific experiment, these calculations determined that more than 24% of the pore volume would need to be filled with water for the biochar to sink.
  • the two processed biochars, soaked and vacuum treated were then immersed in water after 1 hour of said processing. The results of the experiment showed that the vast majority of the soaked biochar floated and remained floating after 3 weeks, while the vast majority of the vacuum treated biochar sank and remained at the bottom of the water column after 3 weeks.
  • the pores may be substantially filled or completely filled with additives to provide enhanced performance features to the biochar, such as increased plant growth, nutrient delivery, water retention, nutrient retention, disadvantageous species control, e.g. , weeds, disease causing bacteria, insects, volunteer crops, etc.
  • additives such as increased plant growth, nutrient delivery, water retention, nutrient retention, disadvantageous species control, e.g. , weeds, disease causing bacteria, insects, volunteer crops, etc.
  • the additive may be a soil enhancing agent that includes, but is not be limited to, any of the following: water, water solutions of salts, inorganic and organic liquids of different polarities, liquid organic compounds or combinations of organic compounds and solvents, mineral and organic oils, slurries and suspensions, supercritical liquids, fertilizers, PGPB (including plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, free-living and nodule-forming nitrogen fixing bacteria, organic decomposers, nitrifying bacteria, and phosphate solubilizing bacteria), biocontrol agents, bioremediation agents, saprotrophic fungi, ectomycorrhizae and endomycorrhizae, among others.
  • PGPB including plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, free-living and nodule-forming nitrogen fixing bacteria, organic decomposers, nitrifying bacteria, and phosphate solubilizing bacteria
  • Fertilizers that may be infused into the biochar include, but are not limited to, the following sources of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium: urea, ammonium nitrate, calcium nitrate, sulfur, ammonium sulfate, monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate, potassium sulfate, or potassium chloride.
  • bio pesticides such as: bio pesticides; herbicides; insecticides; nematicides; plant hormones; plant pheromones; organic or inorganic fungicides; algicides; antifouling agents; antimicrobials; attractants; biocides, disinfectants and sanitizers; miticides; microbial pesticides; molluscicides; bacteriacides; fumigants; ovicides; repellents; rodenticides, defoliants, desiccants; insect growth regulators; plant growth regulators; beneficial microbes; and, microbial nutrients or secondary signal activators, that may also be added to the biochar in a similar manner as a fertilizer.
  • beneficial macro- and micro- nutrients such as, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, boron, zinc, iron, manganese, molybdenum, copper and chloride may also be infused into the biochar in the form of a water solution or other solvent solution.
  • Examples of compounds, in addition to fertilizer, that may be infused into the pores of the biochar include, but are not limited to: phytohormones, such as, abscisic acid (ABA), auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, brassinosteroies, salicylic acid, jasmonates, planet peptide hormones, polyamines, karrikins, strigolactones; 2,1,3-Benzothiadiazole (BTH), an inducer of systemic acquired resistance that confers broad spectrum disease resistance (including soil borne pathogens); signaling agents similar to BTH in mechanism or structure that protects against a broad range or specific plant pathogens; EPSPS inhibitors; synthetic auxins; photosystem I inhibitors photosystem II inhibitors; and HPPD inhibitors.
  • phytohormones such as, abscisic acid (ABA), auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, brassinosteroies, salicylic acid, jasmonates, planet peptide hormones, polyamine
  • Growth media, broths, or other nutrition to support the growth of microbes or microbial life may also be infused such as Lauryl Tryptose broth, glucose, sucrose, fructose, or other sugars or micronutrients known to be beneficial to microbes.
  • Binders or binding solutions can also be infused into the pores to aid in the adhesion of coatings, as well as increasing the ability for the treated biochar to associate or bond with other nearby particles in seed coating applications. Infusion with these binders can also allow for the coating of the biochar particle itself with other beneficial organisms or substances.
  • a 1000 ppm N0 3 " N fertilizer solution is infused into the pores of the biochar.
  • the method to infuse biochar with the fertilizer solution may be accomplished generally by placing the biochar in a vacuum infiltration tank or other sealable rotating vessel, chamber or tank.
  • a vacuum may be applied to the biochar and then the solution may be introduced into the tank.
  • the solution and biochar may both be introduced into the tank and, once introduced, a vacuum is applied.
  • the amount of solution to introduce into the tank necessary to fill the pore of the biochar can be determined. When infused in this manner, significantly more nutrients can be held in a given quantity of biochar versus direct contact of the biochar with the nutrients alone.
  • the biochar and additive solution may be added to a tank along with 0.01 - 20% of surfactant, but more preferably 1-5% of surfactant by volume of fertilizer solution.
  • the surfactant or detergent aids in the penetration of the wash solution into the pores of the biochar.
  • the same or similar equipment used in the vacuum infiltration process can be used in the surfactant treatment process.
  • the vacuum infiltration tank or any other rotating vessel, chamber or tank can be used. Again, while it is not necessary to apply a vacuum, a vacuum may be applied or the pressure in the vessel may be changed.
  • the surfactant can be added with or without heat or cooling either of the infiltrate, the biochar, the vessel itself, or any combination of the three.
  • the utility of infusing the biochar with fertilizer is that the pores in biochar create a protective "medium" for carrying the nutrients to the soil that provides a more constant supply of available nutrients to the soil and plants and continues to act beneficially, potentially sorbing more nutrients or nutrients in solution even after introduction to the soil.
  • immediate overs aturation of the soil with the nutrients is prevented and a time released effect is provided.
  • This effect is illustrated in connection with Figures 14 and 15.
  • biochars having pores infused with additives, using the infusion methods described above have been shown to increase nutrient retention, increase crop yields and provide a steadier flow of fertilizer to the root zones of the plants.
  • the interior and exterior surfaces of the biochar may be treated to improve their sorption and exchange capabilities for the targeted nutrients prior to inoculation or infusion. This is the preferred approach as it allows for the tailoring of the surfaces to match the materials being carried.
  • An example would be to treat the surfaces to increase the anionic exchange capacity when infusing with materials which typically manifest as anions, such as nitrates.
  • biochar Given biochar' s increased water retention capacities, and structure to support microbial life, the application of the treated biochar and, in some cases raw biochar, can greatly assist with increased efficiency of water and nutrients.
  • biochar preferably should be applied in a manner that incorporates ease, low cost, effectiveness, and in many cases precision, although in many applications this is not strictly necessary.
  • the biochar to be applied should have certain characteristics. At least 95% (by weight) of the biochar applied should have a particle size less than or equal to 10 mm. Also, in order to demonstrate the best results of biochar addition, the biochar should have one or more of the following properties : an AEC greater than 10 meq/1 and preferably greater than 20 meq/1, a CEC greater than 10 meq/1 and preferably greater than 20 meq/1, an ash content less than 15% (mass basis) and preferably less than 5%, a hydrophobicity index below 12, more preferably below 10, even more preferably below 6, and most preferably between 0 and 4 as derived by comparing the sorption of water to ethanol using a tension infiltrometer (Tillman, R.
  • Anion exchange capacity (“AEC”) of biochar may be calculated by directly or indirectly- saturated paste extraction of exchangeable anions, C1-, N03-, S042-, and P043- to calculate anion sum or the use of potassium bromide to saturate anions sites at different pHs and repeated washings with calcium chloride and final measurement of bromide (see Rhoades, J.D.1982, Soluble salts, p. 167-179.
  • AEC Anion exchange capacity of biochar
  • treated biochar When treated using the above methods, including but not limited by washing under a vacuum, treated biochar generally has an AEC greater than 5 milliq/1 and some even have an AEC greater than 20 (millieq/1).
  • CEC cation exchange capacity
  • Indirect methods for CEC calculation involves the estimation of extracted Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, and Na+ in a standard soil test using Mehlich 3 and accounting for the exchangeable acidity (sum of H+, A13+, Mn2+, and Fe2+) if the pH is below 6.0 (see Mehlich, A. 1984, Mehlich-3 soil test extractant: a modification of Mehlich-2 extractant, Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 15(12): 1409-1416).
  • treated biochars When treated using the above methods, including but not limited by washing under a vacuum, treated biochars generally have a CEC greater than 5 millieq/1 and some even have a CEC greater than 25 (millieq/1).
  • Hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity can be measured as set forth in Section C.5 above.
  • pH there are a wide variety of tests, apparatus and equipment for making pH measurements.
  • two appropriates for measuring pH are the Test Method for the US Composting Council ("TMCC") 4.11-A and the pH Test Method promulgated by the International Biochar Initiative.
  • the test method for the TMCC comprises mixing biochar with distilled water in 1 : 5 [mass : volume] ratio, e.g., 50 grams of biochar is added to 250 mol f pH 7.0 + 0.02 water and is stirred for 10 minutes; the pH is then the measured pH of the slurry.
  • biochar prior to and before testing, biochar is passed through a 2mm sieve before pH is measured. All measurements are taken according to Rajkovich et. al, Corn growth and nitrogen nutrition after additions of biochar s with varying properties to a temperate soil, Biol. Fertil. Soils (2011), from which the IBI method is based.
  • treatments can be made to the biochar to allow better affiliation of root tissue with the material - these treatments can include modification of physical or chemical properties as just described, but they can also involve infusion of the biochar with rooting hormones, biologicals, nutritionals, or other materials which promote plant root development.
  • biochar suspended solutions prevents the potential for wind to blow biochar dust or fines, thus reducing biochar losses and allowing more uniform application and distribution.
  • biochar suspended solution being wet, allows for greater penetration through the soil and allows for more accessibility for the roots of plants to garner the biochar' s advantageous physical/chemical properties.
  • biochar may be more effectively applied if the biochar is in suspension in solution.
  • the biochar prior to being put in suspension in solution, may be raw or treated, as described above. If the biochar is treated, not only can the pH be adjusted as needed, as discussed above, but also fertilizers, microbes, and host of other additives may be infused in the biochar prior to suspension in solution (as further described below). However, regardless of whether the biochar is raw or treated, the present application for the suspension of biochar in solution can be utilized for both.
  • FIG 16 is a flow diagram of an example of a method that may be used for producing biochar solutions.
  • biochar solution or “biochar suspended solution” shall mean biochar that has been added or suspended in a liquid, alone or in combination with other additives.
  • the method of producing liquid products containing biochar may be accomplished by sufficiently de-sizing the biochar to pass through nozzles and/or mesh screens, dispersing the biochar in solution, such as water, and adding xanthan gum and/or other additives to keep the biochar in suspension, in solution.
  • biochar particles are collected for use in solution.
  • the biochar particles may be collected in any number of ways, including but not limited to: (i) flow from a centrifuge effluent, (ii) from biochar granular product, or (ii) a combination of both a centrifuge effluent and granulated product.
  • the collected biochar may be passed to a media mill, air impingement, burr grinder, or other grinding, milling, or particle sizing equipment for production of smaller particles.
  • the media mill or other similar equipment e.g., attritor mill
  • Micro particles may also be collected directly by traditional desizing equipment, including but not limited to hammer mills and grinders.
  • desizing equipment such as impellers, ultrasonic mechanisms, vibrators, shakers, or other devices besides hammer mills and grinders may be used to produce and collect biochar micro particles.
  • Flocculants such as polyacrylamide can also be used at levels of 1000 ppm or less to collect the micro particles and to create a biochar micro particle cake. The residual amount of flocculant left in the micro particle cake will vary depending on the amount of flocculant that leaves with the liquid.
  • flocculants besides polyacrylamide may be used to clump the biochar particles together and other agents besides flocculants may be used to separate the solid micro particles from liquid for storing, transporting, or other purposes. Differences or variation in liquid or gas flow speed, rate, or pressure may also be used to sort particles based on their hydrodynamic or aerodynamic properties.
  • the biochar micro particles may then be dispersed in a liquid solution to create a biocarbon solution having a biochar solid content of approximately 1-75%, most desirable ranges between 15-70%.
  • the liquid solution may include, but not be limited to, water, deionized water, liquid fertilizer and/or any combination thereof. Other liquid and/or solid additives may also be included in solution without departing from the scope of the invention.
  • the resulting biochar solution may then be passed through nozzles and mesh screens to remove any large biochar particles from the solution, at step 1606. Filters, such as nozzles and screen may be used to filter particles of sizes greater than about 0.2 mm.
  • mesh screens ranging from 0.2 mm - 7.0 mm in size may be used to filter undesired larger particle sizes from solution.
  • a 15 mesh screen having 1.0 mm - 1.2 mm openings may be used to filter undesired larger particle sizes from solution.
  • the step of filtering out the larger particles may alternatively occur prior to or during the collection process (at step 1602).
  • biochar micro particle sizes of about 0.5 mm or less may be desired or may depend on the method of application. For example, if applying biochar suspended solution with irrigation equipment, less than .05 mm, .025 mm, .01 mm, or even less may be desired, whereas less than 1 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.2 mm, or even less than 0.1 mm may be desired if applying biochar suspended solution with varying types of fertilizer equipment.
  • the pH of the biochar solution can affect how much biochar particles will stay in solution and the viscosity of said solution.
  • an acid or base before, during, or after these steps. For example, lowering the viscosity of the solution by adding a base to the solution prior to wet milling will allow for more efficient milling and result in a higher amount of solids fit for the solution, i.e. less particles will be removed during the large particle removal step. Then, after the wet milling an acid could be added to bring the pH back down and provide the viscous stability to ensure the particles stay and solution instead of settling.
  • a stabilizing agent may then be added to keep the biochar in flowable suspension and prevent it from settling.
  • the stabilizing agent can include xanthan gum at about .1% to .7% by weight to the solution or it can vary depending on the solids already in solution, the percentage of solids in solution and/or the particle size of the biochar used to create the solution.
  • Alternative natural or synthetic agents with pseudoplastic rheology capable of suspending biocarbon particles in solution may also be added at this step such as alkali swellable acrylic thickeners, inorganic substances, surfactants or other water born thickeners. Isothiazolin type preservatives could also be added to prevent biological degradation of the xanthan gum.
  • the stabilizing agent could be added prior to the creation of the suspended biochar solution by mixing or spraying the agents on dry biochar particles either prior or post micro particle collection process. In fact, they could even be added or infuse into the biochar during the treatment processes. This could allow for the production, transport, and/or sale of a dry or semi-dry biochar product that could then be turned into a solution after production, for example at the time of sale or just prior to application at say the farm where it will be applied. Similarly, the process of adjusting the density of the biochar can be combined with the process of adding stabilizing agents or thickeners.
  • a preservative may also be added to ensure an optimal product with long shelf life. Choosing the right preservative is important as the biochar itself can absorb certain preservatives and thus allow unwanted microbiological growth in the solution over time.
  • Potential preservatives that may be used are polymeric preservatives such as poly quats or formaldehyde emitter preservatives. Chlorine based preservatives are not generally used as the biochar can degrade chlorine in a short amount of time.
  • Another option to avoid biochar solution degradation is to choose a stabilizing agent that will not rot or encourage microbiological growth in the solution.
  • clay based thickeners such as Attagel and Veegum.
  • a third option is to not create the solution until right before it will be used, for example at the time of sale or at the time of application. The shorter shelf-life reduces chances of solution degradation.
  • growth enhancing additives including but not limited to, fertilizers, liquid micro nutrients, liquid manure, liquefied compost or compost "tea", compost extract and beneficial microbes can be added to the biochar solution.
  • these additives may be added either prior, during, or after the suspended biochar solution is created.
  • the additive may be infused into the biochar prior to creating the solution using vacuum infiltration or a surfactant as further described above.
  • additives may be included with the biochar solution described above prior, during or after creation of the biochar solution.
  • fertilizers may be pulverized to an average particle size of ⁇ 1mm and included with the solid biochar or added to solution.
  • Liquid fertilizers may also be used in solution.
  • 1000 ppm N03 " N fertilizer solution may be used.
  • fertilizers that may be added to the solution include, but are not limited to the following: ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, monoammonium phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate, Cal- Mag fertilizers or micronutrient fertilizers.
  • additives such as fungicides, insecticides, nematicides, plant hormones, beneficial microbial spores, or secondary signal activators, may also be added to the solution in a similar manner as a fertilizer, the inclusion of which does not depart from the scope of the invention.
  • beneficial macro- and micro- nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, boron, zinc, iron, manganese, molybdenum, copper and chloride can be added to the suspended biochar solution.
  • beneficial macro- and micro- nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, boron, zinc, iron, manganese, molybdenum, copper and chloride can be added to the suspended biochar solution.
  • beneficial additives can be infused into the biochar prior to creating the solution.
  • biochar solution By putting the biochar solution, as taught above, a variety of equipment may be used for the application of the suspended biochar solution.
  • the ability to uniformly apply the biochar solution is also enhanced by allowing the use of pumps, sprays and various other types of equipment capable of handling liquid dispersion.
  • Sprayers, booms, and misting heads can be an efficient way to apply the biochar solution to a large area, while backpacks or hose sprayers can be sufficient for smaller applications.
  • biochar solution may also be pumped through the ground to eliminate the potential for wind erosion while allowing for faster infiltration into the soil.
  • biochar solution can be used in connection with a variety of equipment used for hydroseeding, manure spreading (either solid or liquid), foliar spraying, irrigation, or other liquid application technologies. As there are so many different options to apply biochar suspended solutions or solution, much time and expense can be saved.
  • biochar suspended solution can allow for more efficient and focused applications to ensure the biochar treatment stays in the root zone, or is deployed in the vicinity of juvenile or developing root tissue, thus reducing the amount of biochar needed on a cubic yard per acre basis.
  • the biochar solution is put through irrigation tape that is laid directly in a row crop bed the biochar will only be treating the root zones of said crop in the beds and not the row crop furrows nor above or below the root zone in the bed.
  • this lessen the cost by reducing the amount of biochar needed it also can lessen the cost of the application method itself as it can be applied using the same equipment that may already be available for irrigation and liquid fertilizer application.
  • the application of the biochar solution can be used for trees, row crops, vines, turf grasses, potted plants, flowering plants, annuals, perennials, evergreens and seedlings.
  • the biochar solution may be incorporated into or around the root zone of a plant at ratios of between 1:999 to 1: 1. However, an application does not necessarily need to be restricted or limited to these ratios.
  • Biochar can be added to soil at a concentration of 0.01% up to 99% depending upon the application, plant type and plant size.
  • the above applications will generally be effective incorporating the biochar around the root zone from the top surface of the soil and up to a depth of 24" below the top surface of the soil, depending on the plant type and species, or alternatively, within a 24" radius surrounding the roots regardless of root depth or proximity from the top surface of the soil.
  • the incorporation of the biochar within the top 2-6" inches of the soil surface may also be effective. Greater depths are more beneficial for plants having larger root zones, such as trees.
  • the biochar suspended solution may also be applied to animal pens, bedding, and/or other areas where animal waste is present to reduce odor and emission of unpleasant or undesirable vapors. Furthermore it may be applied to compost piles to reduce odor, emissions, and temperature or even to areas where fertilizer or pesticide runoff is occurring to slow or inhibit leaching and runoff. In some instances, it may even be mixed with animal feed, fed to animals directly as a liquid, or used in aquaculture applications.
  • Biochar solution may also be utilized and applied through irrigation equipment for both low flow and high flow irrigation systems.
  • low flow system includes but is not limited to micro sprays, drip emitters, and drip lines
  • high flow systems includes but is not limited to fixed sprays, rotors, bubblers, and soaker hoses.
  • An alternative method for creating a biochar solution is to instead make a biochar slurry using a process similar to hydromulching or hydroseeding.
  • the size reduction step can be reduced or eliminated since the process is typically applicable for larger particle sizes in which the resulting slurry is applied through pumps and sprays.
  • the granular biochar will be mixed with water, fiber mulch, and optionally a tackifier at time of application and then sprayed to area needed.
  • it can be mixed with fertilizer, seeds, or other additives including dyes to help aid in uniform distribution.
  • Typical hydroseeding and hydromulching equipment may be used and generally include a tank mounted truck that is equipped with a special pump and continuous agitation system.
  • the fiber mulch is usually a cellulose based material which can be made from shredded waste paper sources and can include dyes, binders, or other additives.
  • the optional tackifier can include but is not limited to guar gum, xanthan gum, plantago gum, methyl cellulose, pectin, lignin, seedmeals, such as camelina or lesquerella, polysaccharide gums, or starches, such as corn starch.
  • a tackifier increases the biochar slurry's effectiveness especially when applied on a slope, on an area that is erosion prone, or other areas that would cause concern of the biochar application being washed away due to rain or irrigation. If the slurry is to be made significantly prior to application then a preservative would likely be needed as well to ensure a longer shelf life. Otherwise the biochar, fiber, and tackifier can be mixed dry and then turned into a slurry just prior to application or even onsite, similarily to current practices of hydromulching and hydroseeding. This biochar slurry may be particularly useful in turf and landscape applications where hydroseeding or hydromulching is already being used.
  • turf In the case of turf particularly, it could be either mixed with grass seeds prior to application or applied immediately prior to the hydroseeding application.
  • a process similar to this can be used for mixing the biochar with manure to create a manure slurry, either in lagoons, or at any point prior to application of the manure.

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé de production d'une solution de biocharbon. Le procédé comprend les étapes consistant à recueillir des particules de biocharbon, à disperser lesdites particules de biocharbon dans une solution liquide et à ajouter un agent stabilisant pour conserver le biocharbon dans une suspension fluide. L'agent stabilisant peut être ajouté à la solution liquide ou au biocharbon avant de mettre le biocharbon en solution.
PCT/US2016/052306 2015-09-16 2016-09-16 Solution de biocharbon en suspension WO2017049202A1 (fr)

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US201562219501P 2015-09-16 2015-09-16
US62/219,501 2015-09-16
US14/873,053 2015-10-01
US14/873,053 US10252951B2 (en) 2011-06-06 2015-10-01 Biochars and biochar treatment processes
US201662290026P 2016-02-02 2016-02-02
US62/290,026 2016-02-02
US15/156,256 US9809502B2 (en) 2011-06-06 2016-05-16 Enhanced Biochar
US15/156,256 2016-05-16
US15/184,763 US10392313B2 (en) 2011-06-06 2016-06-16 Method for application of biochar in turf grass and landscaping environments
US15/184,325 2016-06-16
US15/184,763 2016-06-16
US15/184,325 US10550044B2 (en) 2011-06-06 2016-06-16 Biochar coated seeds
US15/263,227 2016-09-12
US15/263,227 US10233129B2 (en) 2011-06-06 2016-09-12 Methods for application of biochar

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