Upgrading of Biochar and Biochar Bioprocess Development
However, the properties of raw biochar can vary widely depending on the feedstock and pyrolysis conditions, and may not always be suitable for specific applications. Therefore, upgrading biochar is often necessary to enhance its properties and tailor it to specific market needs.
Reasons for Upgrading Biochar
- Enhancing Physicochemical Properties: Raw biochar can have a wide range of properties, such as surface area and porosity, pH, and elemental composition, that may not be optimal for its intended application. Upgrading biochar can enhance these properties to improve its performance and efficacy in specific market applications.
- Reducing Toxic Compounds: Some biochars may contain toxic compounds, such as heavy metals or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which can pose risks to human health and the environment. Upgrading techniques can help to reduce or remove these harmful substances, ensuring the safety and sustainability of biochar applications.
- Customization for Market Needs: Upgrading biochar allows for the customization of its properties to meet the specific requirements of various market applications, such as agriculture, environmental remediation, energy production, or construction materials. Tailoring biochar properties to these applications can enhance its market value and competitiveness.
Market Applications for Upgraded Biochar
- Agriculture: Biochars with enhanced nutrient content, pH, and cation exchange capacity can improve soil fertility and crop productivity when used as soil amendments. Surface-functionalized biochars can also serve as carriers for slow-release fertilizers or plant growth-promoting microorganisms.
- Environmental Remediation: Upgraded biochars with high surface area, porosity, and adsorption capacity can effectively remove contaminants, such as heavy metals, organic pollutants, and nutrients, from soil and water. Surface-functionalized biochars can also be tailored for selective adsorption of specific contaminants or used as catalysts in advanced oxidation processes.
- Energy Production: Upgraded biochars with improved calorific value, mechanical strength, and combustion properties can be used as an alternative to fossil fuels in energy production, such as co-firing in power plants or biomass gasification.
- Construction Materials: Upgraded biochars blended with other materials can be used as lightweight aggregates, insulating materials, or reinforcing fillers in the production of concrete, bricks, and other construction materials. Biochar-based composites can also contribute to carbon sequestration and reduce the environmental impact of traditional construction materials.
Physical Activation
This involves the treatment of biochar with steam or carbon dioxide at high temperatures (800-1000 oC) to increase its surface area and porosity. This method can improve biochar's adsorption capacity and is particularly beneficial for applications in wastewater treatment and gas purification. However, physical activation can be energy-intensive and may lead to carbon loss, reducing the carbon sequestration potential of biochar.Chemical Activation
This involves impregnating biochar with chemical agents, such as potassium hydroxide (KOH), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), or phosphoric acid (H3PO4), followed by heat treatment at lower temperatures (400-800oC) compared to physical activation. This process can increase biochar's surface area and porosity, enhancing its performance in adsorption and catalysis applications. The main disadvantage of chemical activation is the use of hazardous chemicals and the need for post-treatment to remove residual activation agents.Acid/Base Washing
Here biochar is treated with acidic or alkaline solutions to modify its surface properties and remove impurities, such as heavy metals or ash. This technique can improve biochar's pH and cation exchange capacity (CEC), making it more suitable for applications in soil amendment and environmental remediation. However, acid/base washing can be resource-intensive, as it requires large volumes of water and produces wastewater that needs to be treated and disposed of properly.Thermal Post-Treatment
This involves the further heating of biochar under an inert atmosphere. This process can remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and increase the carbon content of biochar, enhancing its stability and carbon sequestration potential. The main disadvantage of thermal post-treatment is the additional energy consumption, which can increase the overall production costs of biochar. Additionally, over-treatment can lead to a reduction in biochar's surface area and porosity, potentially diminishing its performance in certain applications.
Surface Functionalisation
In surface functionalization, the surface chemistry of biochar is modified through the attachment of specific functional groups, such as hydroxyl, carboxyl, or amine groups. This can be achieved through chemical or biological methods, such as oxidation, amination, or enzymatic treatment. Surface functionalization can improve biochar's adsorption capacity, selectivity, and reactivity, making it more suitable for applications in environmental remediation, catalysis, and agriculture. However, some surface functionalization techniques can be complex, time-consuming, and expensive, limiting their scalability and commercial viability.Blending and Composting
Here biochar is mixed with other materials, such as natural or synthetic polymers, minerals, or organic compounds, to create composite materials with enhanced properties. This approach can improve biochar's mechanical strength, nutrient content, and water holding capacity, making it more suitable for applications in construction materials, soil amendment, and erosion control. The main disadvantage of blending and compositing is the potential for increased production costs and complexity, as well as the need for careful selection and compatibility of the blended materials.Biochar Upgrading
Based on your starting feedstock or biochar and your targeted market we can formulate a bespoke approach for the upgrading of biochar for improved properties and enhanced value. We have the infrastructure and expertise to undertake all the upgrading approaches described above. Our experts will formulate an experimental plan for testing and optimising biochar upgrading strategies.Testing Upgraded Biochar for Desired Market Applications
We have a wide array of equipment and analysis packages to fully evaluate the chemical and physical properties of your upgraded biochar. Examples of such analyses include: surface area and porosity, water holding capacity, cation exchange capacity, and carbon content and stability. In many biochar upgrading projects the tests results will feed-back to our upgrading experiments so that we can seee the effects of process conditions on biochar properties, allowing for the process to be optimised in an iterative and cost-effective manner.
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 for Carbon Sequestration
Technoeconomic Analyses of Biochar Projects
Research Project Collaborations
See our pitches for the 2024 topics.
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, Asparagine, Cystine, Glutamic Acid, Glutamine, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Tryptophan, 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),
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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