United Kingdom

A charcoal production plant that also generates heat and electricity from the by-product gas
Biofuel Energy Sustems, Sustainable Energy Ltd., UK, 2004

In 2004 Biofuel Energy Systems Ltd. developed a plant for charcoal production, which uses the gases given off during production to drive a gas turbine, generating heat and electricity. The electricity generated can be used on site (especially useful in remote areas with no electrical grid connection) or sold back to the grid for additional profit.

Conventional charcoal production is very inefficient and wastes half of the energy within the wood. Biofuel Energy Systems' unique plant, however, uses 90% of the wood's energy and uses a totally clean, emission-free process. See the diagram on the Biofuel Energy Systems website that shows the steps involved in simplified terms. This represents a huge advancement in the efficiency and cleanliness of charcoal production.

The gasifier can supply the sensible heat for initiating pyrolysis. This is done by gasifying waste vegetable oil (low ash to interfere down stream) and using the high pressure exhaust from this to recirculate hot gas through wood. The gasifier products and pyrolysis offgas are then fed to the combustion chamber of a small (40kW) gas turbine.

The plant is suitable for both large and small-scale charcoal production as the design can be scaled up or down according to requirements. The amount of charcoal production could range from 200 to 4,000 tonnes per annum and the electrical output of the plant could range from 50kW to 1MW, depending on the size of the plant.

To find out more see the Biofuel Energy Systems website. http://www.biofuelenergysystems.co.uk/index.htm

Agri-char / Bio-char References: On its potential for carbon sequestration, improved soil fertility and sustainable (carbon-negative) energy production
Rick Davies, updated February 21, 2007

Good link site.

Establishment and Management of Prairie Grasses
Royal Horticultural Society Research, UK, 2007

Establishment of North American prairie grasses by field sowing was investigated at the Royal Horticultural Society Garden at Wisley. This experiment is part of a larger programme of work to investigate the use of North American prairie wildflowers and grasses as a style of planting in gardens and parks in Britain, which is a modern, informal and low maintenance. It is particularly appropriate for amenity planting.