Kosfeld Fenna Thesis - Flipbook - Page 43
Biochar is not Charcoal
Hagemann ref.
Biochar and activated Carbon are both thermochemically decomposed feedstock, whereas biochar consists of sustainably sourced biomass and is mainly used for agricultural purposes such as soil amendment, water retention, nutrient retention, etc.
Activated charcoal is produced from any carbon source and, most of the time, is used for 昀椀ltration and
contamination absorption. Its focus is not on the nature of carbon but on its mere functionality due to
its porous structure.
soil amendment
Biochar
300-700ºC
biomass
carbon sequestering
lox-oxygen
(organic)
600-1200ºC
昀椀ltration
Activated Carbon
carbon-rich material
high temp., chemical/
water treatment, air
(coal, wood, fossil..)
thermo treatment
puri昀椀cation, industry
Charcoal
mostly wood
slow pyrolisis
fuel. cooking,
400-600 ºC
metallurgy
Biochar
Activated Carbon
Use of Energy (Mj/kg)
6,1
97,0
greenhouse gas emissions (kg CO2 eq/kg)
-0,9
6,6
price ( US$/kg)
0,55
2,20
(Bates)
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