intro: biochar maker

[dickgallien]

I have a 175 acre farm/compost site and am searching for a simple, efficient, cheap way to make large amounts of biochar from tree waste, 90% of which is torched, in Mn.. I can purchase a 10.5' dia. X 31' long 1/4" steel tank for $1,000, delivered. This will be placed horizontally into a trench in a gradual slope and covered. Am looking for suggestions on how best to do a retort, collect condensate or make use of the surplus energy. Initially, any product would be used on the farm fields. I'll gladly share whatever comes of this. Thanks, Dick

[freeztar]

Originally Posted by dickgallien

I have a 175 acre farm/compost site and am searching for a simple, efficient, cheap way to make large amounts of biochar from tree waste, 90% of which is torched, in Mn.. I can purchase a 10.5' dia. X 31' long 1/4" steel tank for $1,000, delivered. This will be placed horizontally into a trench in a gradual slope and covered. Am looking for suggestions on how best to do a retort, collect condensate or make use of the surplus energy. Initially, any product would be used on the farm fields. I'll gladly share whatever comes of this. Thanks, Dick

That's quite an admirable ambition.

Do you have plans for a circulating outgassing pipe?

There's lots of info here on retorts and pyrolysis. Try doing a search on these terms. The TP forum is a wealth of information.