Biochar and pyrolysis explained

The biochar plant will use technology called pyrolysis which will heat various organic feedstocks, such as felled and chipped timber and woody materials rejected from composting operations. The process operates at high temperature but in the absence of oxygen so that feedstock materials do not burn. The process has been likened to high temperature baking. Gases and oils are driven off the feedstock, harvested and combusted and this will generate a small amount of renewable energy in the form of electricity that will be exported to the national grid and heat which we hope to be able to utilise locally.

The main product output is biochar, a charcoal-like substance that can be used as a soil enhancer in agriculture and horticulture, a carbon-negative additive to materials like asphalt and concrete, and an air or water filter to capture pollutants – just like activated charcoal. In all cases it acts as a store of carbon dioxide that would otherwise return to the atmosphere.

The biochar can then be applied to the earth or added to construction materials, thereby storing the carbon for 100+ years. Because of this, we are eligible to sell carbon dioxide removal credits in the carbon market, or keep the credits ourselves to help offset our own emissions.