Biochar, ein kohlenstoffreiches Material, wird durch Pyrolyse hergestellt, bei der organische Abfälle wie Biomasse und Klärschlamm unter sauerstoffarmen Bedingungen auf über 500 °C erhitzt werden. Bei diesem Prozess werden bis zu 90 % des im ursprünglichen Pflanzenmaterial enthaltenen Kohlenstoffs gebunden, so dass er nicht wieder in die Atmosphäre gelangen kann. Die Anlage wird organische Abfälle aus der Region verwenden und so Mülldeponien und Verbrennungsanlagen vermeiden.

Das Biochar-Projekt wird auch Gutschriften für den Kohlenstoffabbau generieren, die verkauft werden können und so die weltweiten Bemühungen um die Dekarbonisierung unterstützen. A Healthier Earth plant, diese Anlage mit den neuen leistungsstarken PX6000-Karbonisierungsanlagen von PYREG zu skalieren und in Zukunft weiter auszubauen.

Diese Initiative ist ein wichtiger Schritt im Kampf gegen den Klimawandel und steht im Einklang mit den globalen Zielen, den Temperaturanstieg auf 1,5°C zu begrenzen, wie im Pariser Abkommen festgelegt. Mit der Fähigkeit, Kohlenstoff in großem Maßstab zu entfernen, unterstreicht diese Anlage die wachsende Rolle von Biokohle bei der Lösung von Klimaproblemen.

READ MORE: ‘UK’s largest’: A Healthier Earth to produce up to 9,000 tonnes of biochar a year at new site

Der Beitrag Großbritanniens größte Biochar-Anlage soll jährlich 17.000 Tonnen CO2 entfernen erschien zuerst auf PYREG.

Das deutsche Klimatechnologieunternehmen Novocarbo hat den Startschuss für seinen bisher größten Carbon Removal Park (CDR-Park) in Deutschland bekannt gegeben. Der neueste Standort des Hamburger Start-ups, das mit PYREGs Technologie CO₂ aus der Atmosphäre entfernt, Pflanzenkohle produziert und erneuerbare Energie erzeugt, entsteht in Zusammenarbeit mit den Stadtwerken der Stadt Bochum. Als erste Stadtwerke einer deutschen Großstadt nutzen die Stadtwerke Bochum klimaneutrale Wärme aus der Pflanzenkohleproduktion, um ihr Fernwärmenetz grüner zu machen. Dies ist bereits der zweite Carbon Removal Park, den Novocarbo in Deutschland auf Basis der Karbonisierungstechnologie von PYREG eröffnet.

Klimaneutrale Wärme für 26.000 Haushalte

Die Stadtwerke Bochum beziehen ganzjährig regenerative Wärme aus dem Carbon Removal Park Bochum und machen so die Fernwärmeversorgung in Bochum mit derzeit rund 26.000 angeschlossenen Haushalten grüner. „Novocarbo bietet uns die Möglichkeit, unser Wärmeerzeugungsportfolio zu erweitern und umweltfreundlicher zu gestalten. Die im Pyrolyseprozess erzeugte überschüssige Energie wird direkt in unser Fernwärmenetz eingespeist. Das Projekt ist damit ein wichtiger Baustein für die Dekarbonisierung der Fernwärme in Bochum“, erklärt Elke Temme, Geschäftsführerin der Stadtwerke Bochum Holding GmbH.

Vier PYREG PX 1500 Anlagen sind die technologische Ausstattung des Carbon Removal Parks

Der Carbon Removal Park in Bochum entsteht ab Ende 2024 auf einem Gelände der USB Bochum GmbH (USB) in der Markstraße. Durch den Einsatz von vier PX1500-Pyrolyseanlagen von PYREG werden ab Mitte 2025 rund 6.000 Tonnen CO₂ aus der Atmosphäre entfernt, 15.000 MWh klimaneutrale Wärme erzeugt und auf einer Fläche von 4.500 m² 3.300 Tonnen Pflanzenkohle produziert. Novocarbo investiert rund 14 Millionen Euro in den neuen Standort in Bochum. Bis 2033 will das Start-up rund 200 Carbon Removal Parks eröffnen.

Caspar von Ziegner, CEO Novocarbo: „Unser Ziel ist es, den Übergang der Wirtschaft zu Net Zero zu beschleunigen und Unternehmen mit unserer grünen Wärmelösung bei der Dekarbonisierung zu unterstützen. Gemeinsam mit den Stadtwerken Bochum können wir in einer der bevölkerungsreichsten Metropolregionen Deutschlands einen wertvollen Beitrag zur Klimaneutralität leisten.“

Der Beitrag Grüne Fernwärme mit Biochar: Novocarbo und Stadtwerke Bochum setzen auf PYREG’s Net Zero Technologie erschien zuerst auf PYREG.

Der Beitrag Pyrolyse eliminiert nicht nur PFAS aus Klärschlämmen, die Biochar absorbiert zudem PFAS in kontaminierten Böden erschien zuerst auf PYREG.

PYREG held its first Biochar symposium for Growers in the California Central Valley.
Why? Biomass residues are valuable materials!  With PYREG NetZero Carbonization Systems, growers can transform their waste/residues into highly valuable Biochar. By applying the carbonization process, Growers achieve a Circular Economy,  producing Biochar, while generating renewable energy and carbon credit certificates.
Biochar is extremely interesting for agriculture because its sponge-like structure stores water and nutrients, thus counteracting soil dehydration, improving soil health and increasing crop yields/quality.
Robert Kovach clearly explains how Biochar works. A lively interview. Take a look!

KSEE24 Local News That Matters – KSEE Television
CBS47 Eyewitness News – KGPE Television

Short version:

Extended interview:

Der Beitrag Talking about Biochar with PYREG CSO Robert Kovach by YourCentralValley.com Local News erschien zuerst auf PYREG.

This is the result of the joint efforts of AquaGreen Denmark, the European Biochar Industry Consortium EBI and many biochar supporters. The EBI calls on the EU Commission to include biochar from sewage sludge in the EU Fertilizer Regulation as an important step towards a safe and sustainable circular economy and agriculture. In the absence of a clear position on pyrolysis as a means of upgrading sewage sludge, the EBI has addressed a position paper to the European Commission. It describes the Pyrolysis process and summarizes the current state of research as follows:

What is pyrolysis?
The heating of biomass in a low-oxygen environment is called pyrolysis. Pyrolysis converts organic carbon into a gas (pyrolysis gas) and fixed/elemental carbon. While organic carbon is degradable and while during its natural degradation, greenhouse gases like CO₂ or CH₄ are released into the atmosphere, fixed carbon is recalcitrant (resistant to weathering/degradation). Unless it is burned, it will not react with any element and stay in its stable form as C. Thus, it can be considered as a permanent carbon sink if used in a material way (no combustion). The specificities of the pyrolysis process include:
– A temperature and process time high enough to “decompose” and/or “volatilize” major feedstock contaminants, like virus or micropollutants (see below).
– The retention of key nutrients (like phosphorus) in the solid phase.
– The capacity to convert part of the carbon contained in the feedstock into “recalcitrant carbon” in the char, ensuring a stable carbon sink if the char is not
oxidized (burnt). This process is called Pyrolytic Carbon Capture and Storage (PyCCS).

Pyrolysis destroys feedstock pathogens
Sewage sludge originates mainly from human excrements. Naturally, the sludge contains pathogens and pyrogens, which are of public health concern. Standard hygienization of sewage sludge e.g., heating of the sludge to 70°C, does not eliminate spores, pyrogens or pathogens.
The process conditions of pyrolysis (> 350°C for several minutes) are much harsher than approved sterilization conditions (Requiring 132°C for 4 minutes with steam (see CDC Steam Sterilization Disinfection & Sterilization Guidelines) and 250°C to remove pyrogens (bacterial endotoxins) under dry conditions (Dry Heat Sterilization). DNA is denatured at 90 °C, hence pyrolysis removes all pathogens and pyrogens contained in sewage sludge (incl. bacteria, fungi, vira, spores, parasites, antibiotic resistance genes etc), from the final product, i.e. the biochar, thereby eliminating these public health concerns.

Pyrolysis eliminates micropollutants from sewage sludge.
Increasing concern is raised regarding sewage sludge spreading on farmland, due to the presence of micropollutants in sludges. Recent scientific research has demonstrated that pyrolysis will have a destruction or removal effect on several types of micropollutants:

Organic pollutants (pharmaceuticals, hormone disrupting molecules):
Recent scientific evidence shows that, at sufficiently severe pyrolysis temperatures (> 500°C) and residence times (> 3 min), all reference organic contaminants and organic micropollutants were completely or nearly completely degraded or driven off the solid material. A study published by the German Ministry of Environment in 2019 (Bundesumweltamt 2019) investigated pharmaceutical residues of various biosolids after pyrolytic treatments above 500 °C. Following the pyrolysis treatment with operating temperatures above 500°C all values of the investigated pharmaceuticals were below the detection limit. The authors concluded: With thermo-chemical treatments (i.e. pyrolysis) a complete destruction of the pharmaceutical residues is achieved. No further technical treatment measures are necessary.

PFAS:
PFASs have been used in consumer products since the 1940s. They are extremely persistent and accumulate in the environment as well as in our bodies. For this reason, they are often referred to as „forever chemicals.“ According to research, some of them cause serious health effects such as cancer and liver damage. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are eliminated by the process of pyrolysis. Kundu et al. [2] found that >90% of PFOS and PFOA in sewage sludge were destroyed in a pyrolysis-combustion integrated process. Evidence from the US EPA Office of Research and Development (2021) work with Bioforcetech’s commercially installed PYREG pyrolysis plant shows that pyrolysis at 600°C for 10 minutes and combustion of pyrolysis gases at 850°C eliminate PFAS from sewage sludge [3].
Bioforcetech (2021) has reported 38 PFAS compounds that were all kept at or removed to below detection limit in the biochar in their pyrolysis and pyrolysis gas burning process [4].

PAH:
Direct land spreading of sewage sludge is a preferred method in some European countries. A potential issue with this method is the elevated content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in sludges. The process of pyrolysis can eliminate the content of those to below detection limits in the biochar with proper design of the pyrolysis process (Moško et al., 2021) demonstrated that slow pyrolysis > 400 °C removed more than 99.8 % of PCB, PAH, and endocrine disrupting and hormonal compounds studied [5]. The conclusion from the study is “high temperature (>600 °C) slow pyrolysis can satisfactory remove organic pollutants from the resulting sludge-char, which could be safely applied as soil improver.

Pyrolysis eliminates microplastics from sewage sludge
Research indicates that sewage sludge is a sink for microplastics and further handling of sewage sludge is critical for potential dispersal. Thus, effective reduction of microplastics in the sludge is an important issue (Rolsky et al., 2020). The elimination of microplastic contaminants can be assured by the high temperature during the treatment and the residence time. Ni et al. 2020 [6] found that “Polyethylene and polypropylene, the two most abundant microplastics in sewage sludge, were entirely degraded when the pyrolysis temperature reached 450 °C.”.

The phosphorus present in the feedstock is retained in the pyrolysis char
Phosphorus must be recovered from sewage sludge in more and more EU member states so that fields can be fertilized with this recycled phosphorus in the future. There are various methods for phosphorus recovery, but pyrolysis at temperatures from 500-800 °C is among the most carbon efficient and leads to a product that is directly useable as a fertilizer for soil applications without the need for any further chemical extraction. The P-availability (P₂O₅) of the sludge biochar is between 40-80% in ammonium citrate (Friedrich et. al. 2015) [7] which is a highly suitable method for measuring the value as a P-fertilizer (Kratz, S.; Schnug, E., 2009) [8]. According to the same reference this indicates a highly valuable fertilizer.

Sources:

[1] Paz-Ferreiro J, Nieto A, Méndez A, Askeland M, Gascó G (2018) Biochar from Biosolids Pyrolysis: A Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15, 956
[2] Removal of PFASs from biosolids using a semi-pilot scale pyrolysis reactor and the application of biosolids derived biochar for the removal of PFASs from contaminated water, Kundu S. et al, Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2021, 7, 638–649
[3] EPA PFAS innovative treatment team (PITT) findings on PFAS destruction technologies, EPA Tools & Resources Webinar February 17, 2021, Gullett B.
[4] https://ccag.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/BFT_FEB_2020-1.pdf
[5] Effect of pyrolysis temperature on removal of organic pollutants present in anaerobically stabilized sewage sludge, Moško J. et al, Chemosphere 265
(2021) 12982
[6] Ni et al., 2020: Environ. Sci. Technol. Lett. 2020, 7, 12, 961–967. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.0c00740
[7] Deutsche Gesellschaft für Abfallwirtschaft e.V., 5. Wissenschaftskongress Abfall- und Ressourcen- wirtschaft am 19. und 20. März 2015 an der Universität Innsbruck Kevin Friedrich, Katharina Schuh, Thomas Appel Trockene Klärschlammkarbonisierung – ist ein dezentrales Phosphorrecycling möglich?
[8] Kratz, S.; Schnug, E., 2009 On the solubility and plant availability of phosphorus from mineral fertilizers – a review, JOURNAL FÜR KULTURPFLANZEN, 61 (1). S. 2–8, 2009, ISSN 0027-7479 VERLAG EUGEN ULMER KG, STUTTGART,

Der Beitrag Biochar from sewage sludge: the phosphorus fertilizer for a safe and sustainable agriculture erschien zuerst auf PYREG.

Our motto for RWM is „turn positive now – the best way to recycle your residuals, protects the climate and creates economic value“. Let´s meet at the RWM Expo, which takes place on 22-23 September 2021 at the NEC, Birmingham. You are very welcome to arrange appointments with us in advance.
You will find us at the booth 5-Q102

Der Beitrag Join us at RWM Expo, UK’s largest Recycling, Resource & Waste Management event! erschien zuerst auf PYREG.

Pilot Biochar Project: Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS)

Max Burgers, Sweden’s favourite hamburger restaurant chain, is currently participating in a pilot biochar project enabled by our partner Skånefrö, a Swedish producer and supplier of EBC-certified premium biochar.

Max Burgers is a pioneer in climate friendly disposal of food waste because they know the unpleasant facts: When wasting food, we are also wasting the carbon which is absorbed through photosynthesis by the plants as natural origin of our food.

Source: https://issuu.com/maxhamburgare/docs/max_climatpositivburger_low/1?ff&e=25478703/62035519

That´s the reason why Max Burgers is now converting lobby waste into biochar in a pilot project. Turning waste into biochar and spreading it on farmland means that it will stay there for at least 100 years, while improving the fertility of the soil.

In this project, Skånefrö converts food waste from the Max Burgers restaurant in Ystad into biochar by pyrolysis, with a PYREG Industrial Unit. The PYREG process allows the precise control of the parameters, so that nutrients can be recycled gently. Temperatures of 500-700°C sanitize the waste and eliminate any kind of pollutants, reducing the total quantity significantly. This carbonisation process is designed to be energy efficient, so that excess heat (renewable energy) is extracted for additional purposes (drying, heating).The biochar is then quantified by Ecoera and spread on fields at Skönadals Farm in the area of Österlen. An example of circular economy at its best!

Max Burgers, the most profitable restaurant chain in Sweden, is family owned and was founded in 1968. By following the world´s independent standard for carbon neutrality – ISO 14021, Max Burgers launched the world’s first climate-positive burgers. How does Max do it? Max measures 100% of their product emissions, reduces emissions and captures at least 110% of emissions. As a result for their work with climate positive products, Max Burgers has received the “Global Climate Action Award” by the UN in 2019.

For further information please find details here.

Der Beitrag Sweden: Max Burgers turns waste into biochar and saves the climate erschien zuerst auf PYREG.

Unter anderem findet sich in dem 130 Seiten starken Papier eine Übersicht über marktreife Technologie wie das PYREG-Verfahren und legt genehmigungsrelevante Daten für Karbonisierungsanlagen fest. Das sorgt zum einen dafür, dass künftig von allen in Deutschland in Betrieb genommenen Anlagen gewisse Qualitäts- und Umweltstandards eingehalten werden müssen, zum anderen sind Kommunen und private Investoren damit eher bereit, in neue Umwelttechnologien zu investieren und den Klimaschutz voranzutreiben.

Der Beitrag Pflanzenkohle Herstellung: VDI veröffentlicht erste Richtlinien erschien zuerst auf PYREG.