Use of Biochar for the Sequestration of Carbon
In recent decades the production and use of biochar has been considered as a strategy for reducing the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This can potentially be achieved in direct and indirect ways.
The main reason that biochar is considered to be a direct approach for carbon sequestration is that the carbon in biochar is mainly composed of recalcitrant carbon, which is resistant to degradation by microorganisms and can persist in the environment for hundreds or even thousands of years. By converting biomass into biochar, the carbon in the biomass is stabilized and locked away, preventing it from being rapidly released back into the atmosphere as CO2 which would otherwise be the case as the biomass feedstock is consumed or decomposes. Hence, providing that the biomass that is used to produce the biochar is replenished, the net effect of growing biomass for the production of biochar is that atmospheric CO2 is sequestered in the soil in a stable form.
Additionally, biochar production can utilize various types of waste biomass, including agricultural residues, forestry waste, and urban green waste, so diverting these materials from landfills or open burning, both of which can produce greenhouse gases.
Temperature
Pyrolysis temperature is a critical factor that influences the carbon sequestration potential of biochar. Higher pyrolysis temperatures typically lead to the formation of biochars with higher carbon contents and greater recalcitrance, as more volatile compounds are released, and the remaining carbon structure becomes more condensed and stable. However, very high temperatures can result in excessive carbon loss through the formation of gaseous products, reducing the carbon sequestration potential of the biochar.Heating Rate
The heating rate, or the rate at which the biomass is heated during pyrolysis, can also influence the carbon sequestration potential of biochar. Rapid heating rates can lead to the production of biochars with higher carbon contents. However, excessively fast heating rates can cause uneven pyrolysis and the formation of biochars with lower carbon sequestration potential.Residence Time
Longer residence times can result in more complete pyrolysis, potentially leading to the formation of biochars with higher carbon contents and greater stability. However, excessive residence times may lead to the production of biochars with lower carbon sequestration potential due to an increased amount of the biomass being volatilised.Choice of Feedstock
Different feedstocks have varying carbon contents, which can affect the amount of carbon sequestered in the resulting biochar. Generally, feedstocks with higher carbon contents, such as woody biomass, will produce biochars with greater carbon sequestration potential than those with lower carbon content, such as herbaceous or aquatic plants.Proximate and Elemental Analysis
We can analyse biochar for its fixed carbon and volatile matter contents. Typically, biochars with higher fixed carbon contents tend to be more stable over longer periods of time and less likely to be degraded and return CO2 to the atmosphere.We can also determine the carbon content of biochar using Dumas analysis and can differentiate between organic carbon and inorganic carbon. A higher organic carbon content indicates a greater potential for carbon sequestration.
Stability and Decomposition Tests
These tests assess the resistance of biochar to microbial degradation and its potential longevity in the environment. Stability tests may involve monitoring CO2 emissions from biochar-amended soil over time or using techniques such as the incubation method, where biochar is mixed with soil and incubated under controlled conditions to measure CO2 emissions.Carbon Sequestration Efficiency
This metric compares the amount of carbon content sequestered in the biochar to the total carbon content in the original biomass feedstock. It can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of different feedstocks and pyrolysis conditions in producing biochar with high carbon sequestration potential.
Sajna KV
Bioanalysis Developer
PhD
Our Biomass Detective! Designs, tests, optimizes and validates robust analytical methods for properties of relevance to the various biochar market applications.
Dan Hayes
Celignis CEO And Founder
PhD (Analytical Chemistry)
Dreamer and achiever. Took Celignis from a concept in a research project to being the bioeconomy's premier provider of analytical and bioprocessing expertise.
Lalitha Gottumukkala
Chief Innovation Officer
PhD
A serial innovator managing multiple projects. Has particular expertise related to the upgrading of biochar and on the assessment of its impact on plant productivity and soil health.
Global Recognition as Biomass and Biochar Experts
Feedstock Evaluation
Biochar Production
Biochar Analysis
Biochar Combustion Properties
Soil Amendment & Plant Growth Trials
Analysis of PAHs in Biochar
Surface Area and Porosity of Biochar
Thermogravimetric Analysis of Biochar
Biochar Upgrading
Technoeconomic Analyses of Biochar Projects
Research Project Collaborations
See our pitches for the 2024 topics.
Click here to view our pitches for involvement in proposals for the 2024 research topics of the Circular Bioeconomy Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE-JU).
Lignin (Klason), Lignin (Acid Soluble), Acid Insoluble Residue, Ash (Acid Insoluble),
As P10 plus protein-corrected lignin, water-soluble sugars, uronic acids, acetyl content and starch.
Glucuronic Acid, Galacturonic Acid, Mannuronic Acid, Guluronic Acid, 4-O-Methyl-D-Glucuronic Acid, Iduronic Acid,
Total Sugars in Enzyme Hydrolysate, Glucose in Enzyme Hydrolysate, Xylose in Enzyme Hydrolysate, Arabinose in Enzyme Hydrolysate, Mannose in Enzyme Hydrolysate, Galactose in Enzyme Hydrolysate, Rhamnose in Enzyme Hydrolysate, Cellobiose in Enzyme Hydrolysate, Enzymatic Hydrolysis Kinetics, Cellulose Conversion Yield, Xylan Conversion Yield, Combined Sugar Yield, Cellulose Conversion Rate, Xylan Conversion Rate,
As P121 plus comparisons with data from the non-pretreated original sample, including: Increase in Cellulose Accessibility after Pre-Treatment, Percent Increase in Cellulose Conversion Efficiency, Percent Increase in Cellulose Conversion Rate.
As P9 but on the solid residue after enzymatic hydrolysis.
Formic Acid, Acetic Acid, Levulinic Acid, Furfural, Hydroxymethylfurfural,
Includes all hydrolysate sugars and kinetics in P121 and: Cellulose Conversion Yield, Cellulose Conversion Rate
Includes all hydrolysate sugars and kinetics in P121 and: Xylan Conversion Yield, Xylan Conversion Rate
Total Sugars in Enzyme Hydrolysate, Glucose in Enzyme Hydrolysate, Maltose in Enzyme Hydrolysate, a-Amylase Hydrolysis Kinetics, Glucoamylase Hydrolysis Kinetics,
Glucose, Xylose, Fructose, Sucrose, Mannose, Arabinose, Galactose, Rhamnose, Xylitol, Sorbitol, Trehalose, Mannitol, Arabinitol, Glycerol, Raffinose,
Levulinic Acid, Formic Acid, Hydroxymethylfurfural, Furfural, Acetic Acid, gamma-Valerolactone,
Xylobiose, Xylotriose, Arabinobiose, Arabinotriose,
Maltose, Maltotriose, Maltotetraose, Maltopentaose, Maltohexaose, Maltoheptaose, Maltooctaose,
Glucuronic Acid, Galacturonic Acid, Mannuronic Acid, Guluronic Acid, 4-O-Methyl-D-Glucuronic Acid, Iduronic Acid,
Gibberellic Acid, Indole-3-acetic acid, Indole-2-acetic acid, Indole-3-propionic acid, Indole-3-butyric acid, 6-Benzylaminopurine, Kinetin riboside, Abscisic acid, Salicylic acid,
beta-Carotene, Ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2), Alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), Phylloquinone (Vitamin K1),
Thiamine (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Niacin (Vitamin B3), Niacinamide (vitamin B3), Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5), Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6), Folate (Vitamin B9), Cobalamin (Vitamin B12), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C),
Fucose, Mannitol, Glucose, Xylose, Mannose, Arabinose, Galactose, Rhamnose, Total Sugars, Glucuronic Acid, Galacturonic Acid, Mannuronic Acid, Guluronic Acid, Iduronic Acid,
Alanine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Cystine, Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Tyrosine, Valine,
Aluminium, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, Titanium,
Arachidic Acid, Behenic Acid, Decanoic Acid, Erucic Acid, Lauric Acid, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Myristic Acid, Caprylic Acid, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Palmitoleic Acid, Stearic Acid, Lignoceric Acid,
Fucoxanthin, Astaxanthin, Chlorophyll-c, Chlorophyll-a, Chlorophyll-b, Lutein, beta-Carotene, Neoxanthin, Antheraxanthin, Violaxanthin,
Gibberellic Acid, Indole-3-acetic acid, Indole-2-acetic acid, Indole-3-propionic acid, Indole-3-butyric acid, 6-Benzylaminopurine, Kinetin riboside, Abscisic acid, Salicylic acid,
beta-Carotene, Ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2), Alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), Phylloquinone (Vitamin K1),
Thiamine (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Niacin (Vitamin B3), Niacinamide (vitamin B3), Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5), Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6), Folate (Vitamin B9), Cobalamin (Vitamin B12), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C),
Chlorophyll-a, Chlorophyll-b, Lutein, beta-Carotene, Neoxanthin, Astaxanthin, Zeaxanthin, Antheraxanthin, Violaxanthin,
Biomethane Potential (BMP), Total Biogas Volume, Total Solids, Volatile Solids, pH, Biogas Methane Content, Biogas Carbon Dioxide Content, Biogas Oxygen Content, Biogas Hydrogen Sulphide Content, Biogas Ammonia Content,
Total Solids, Volatile Solids, pH, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Phosphorus, Potassium, Ammonia, Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Sulphur,
Residual Biogas Potential (RBP), Total Biogas Volume, Total Solids, Volatile Solids, pH, Biogas Methane Content, Biogas Carbon Dioxide Content, Biogas Oxygen Content, Biogas Hydrogen Sulphide Content, Biogas Ammonia Content,
Acetic Acid, Lactic Acid, Propionic Acid, Butyric Acid, Isobutyric Acid, Valeric Acid, Isovaleric Acid,
Levoglucosan, Cellobiosan, Mannosan, Galactosan, Glucose, Xylose, Mannose, Arabinose, Galactose, Rhamnose, Fucose, Sucrose, Cellobiose, Total Sugars,
31 constituents including Phenol, Furfural, Syringol, and Vanillin
Specific Surface Area (Nitrogen Gas Adsorption), BET Isotherm (5 Point Using Nitrogen),
Specific Surface Area (Nitrogen Gas Adsorption), BET Isotherm (20 Point Using Nitrogen), Pore Volume (Using Nitrogen), Pore Size Distribution (Using Nitrogen), Average Pore Width (Using Nitrogen),
Specific Surface Area (Nitrogen Gas Adsorption), BET Isotherm (40 Point Using Nitrogen), Pore Volume (Using Nitrogen), Pore Size Distribution (Using Nitrogen), Average Pore Width (Using Nitrogen),
Gross Calorific Value, Net Calorific Value, Ash, Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Sulphur, Oxygen,
Aluminium, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, Titanium,
Antimony, Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Lead, Manganese, Mercury, Molybdenum, Nickel, Vanadium, Zinc,
Ash Shrinkage Starting Temperature (Reducing), Ash Deformation Temperature (Reducing), Ash Hemisphere Temperature (Reducing), Ash Flow Temperature (Reducing),
Moisture, Ash Content (815C), Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Sulphur, Oxygen, Chlorine, Volatile Matter, Fixed Carbon, Aluminium, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, Titanium, Gross Calorific Value, Net Calorific Value, Ash Shrinkage Starting Temperature (Reducing), Ash Deformation Temperature (Reducing), Ash Hemisphere Temperature (Reducing), Ash Flow Temperature (Reducing),
As P393 plus inorganic carbon, organic carbon, TGA (under nitrogen and air), and inherent moisture
Aluminium, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, Titanium,
Antimony, Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Lead, Manganese, Mercury, Molybdenum, Nickel, Vanadium, Zinc,
Acenaphthene, Acenaphthylene, Anthracene, Benz[a]anthracene, Benzo[b]fluoranthene, Benzo[k]fluoranthene, Benzo[ghi]perylene, Benzo[a]pyrene, Chrysene, Dibenz[a,h]anthracene, Fluoranthene, Fluorene, Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, 1-Methylnaphthalene, 2-Methylnaphthalene, Naphthalene, Phenanthrene, Pyrene,
Time to Germination, Mean Shoot Length (Week 1), Mean Shoot Length (Week 2), Mean Shoot Length (Week 3), Mean Shoot Length (Week 4), Shoot Weight (Week 4), Mean Root Length (Week 4), Root Weight (Week 4),
As Deluxe package plus P383, SEM Imaging (P387) and Plant Growth Trials (P388)
Includes everything from P391 (Physical Properties Ultimate), P394 (Thermal Properties Ultimate), and P397 (Soil Amendment Ultimate)
Gross Calorific Value, Net Calorific Value, Ash, Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Sulphur, Oxygen,
Aluminium, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, Titanium,
Antimony, Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Lead, Manganese, Mercury, Molybdenum, Nickel, Vanadium, Zinc,
Volatile Matter, Fixed Carbon, Moisture, Ash, Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Sulphur, Oxygen, Gross Calorific Value, Net Calorific Value, Chlorine,
Ash Shrinkage Starting Temperature (Oxidising), Ash Deformation Temperature (Oxidising), Ash Hemisphere Temperature (Oxidising), Ash Flow Temperature (Oxidising),
Celignis is a Partner in 3 Successful Proposals for EU Funding
We are pleased to announce that three of the proposals involving Celignis, submitted to the CBE-JU programme for funding collaborative biomass research in Europe, were successful. These projects will provide an additional funding of €1.5m to Celignis and build on our achievements in other CBE and EU projects. In particular, the projects are all at enhanced TRLs (6/7) and will use our existing Celignis Bioprocess infrastructure and will also fund further development of our bioprocessing capacities and the Bioprocess Development Services we offer our clients.
Details on the funded projects are provided below:
BIONEER - This project was funded under CBE-JU topic IA-06 and focuses on the TRL 6/7 production of biobased platform chemicals. Celignis's activities in the project focus on scaling up the work undertaken in our ongoing
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The 2024 North American Biochar Conference will take place in Sacramento, California, on Feb 12-15
On Feb 12-15 we'll be exhibiting at the 2024 North American Biochar Conference, taking place at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Centre in Sacramento, California.
We're looking forward to interacting with the 1000+ expected attendees, outlining our extensive range of analytical and application testing services for biochar.
Celignis CIO Lalitha Gottumukkala will also be a member of the expert panel focused on developing improved laboratory methods for biochar characterisation.
Click here to register for the event.
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This Networking Event Will Involve Discussions on Collaborations for Proposals to the 2024 CBE-JU Topics
The Circular Bioeconomy Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE-JU) is an organisation that funds biomass research in Europe at various Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). Since 2016 Celignis has been an active participant in a number of projects funded by the CBE-JU.
The Biobased Industries Consortium (BIC) is the steering committee that helps to steer the focus of research for the CBE-JU programme. In 2023 Celignis joined the BIC as a Full Industry Member and participated in several proposals submitted for different research topics in the CBE-JU's 2023 Work Programme.
On Feb 8th Celignis's Dan Hayes, Lalitha Gottumukkala, and Oscar Bedzo will be attending a BIC networking event in Brussels where we will discuss potential collaborations in the research programme topics recently announced for 2024.
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This position will involve working closely with senior management, fostering existing and new client relationships.
Situated in Limerick, Ireland, Celignis currently operates at two centres, Celignis Analytical and Celignis Bioprocess, actively engaging in a variety of private and public bioeconomy projects. As we continue to expand, we're looking to strengthen our team of 14 with a Business Administration and Client Relationship Manager who can bring a blend of enthusiasm and expertise.
This position will involve working closely with senior management, fostering existing and new client relationships, and ensuring successful delivery of our services, playing a key role in our ongoing growth and success.
Click here for more details about the position.
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The event takes place on May 3rd at Carrick-on-Shannon
We are pleased to announce that, on May 3rd, Celignis will be presenting and exhibiting at the National Biochar and Carbon Products Conference 2023, which is taking place in Carrick-on-Shannon in County Leitrm, Ireland.
This conference is being organised under the auspices of the Interreg Northwest Europe-funded THREE C Project, entitled 'Creating and sustaining Charcoal value chains to promote a Circular Carbon economy in NWE Europe'.
The conference will highlight both Irish stakeholders who are currently working in the biochar and carbon products sector, but also partners from the THREE C project (covering Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Belgium, France and Wales, as well as Ireland) who have interesting stories and products to share.
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