How the system operates

Our mobile system picks up crop residue and pyrolyzes it on the fly. The biochar that's created is quenched with water, inoculated with nutrients and microorganisms, and then deposited to the soil. The system can also operate in an efficient edge-of-field configuration for added seasonal feedstock flexibility. Producing biochar in this way eliminates bulk material transport and reduces cost per tonne, making biochar an economically viable soil health tool for row crop agriculture.

Biochar is cooled, nutrients and biologicals added, and a finished Biochar soil amendment is produced and applied in the field and on the move.

Biomass Collection & Preprocessing

Field residues from crops including corn, rice, sorghum, cotton, and sugarcane are collected from the field and chopped. The waste is blown into the biomass pre-processor, a crop specific attachment that positions and prepares the material for conveyance through the the reactor.

Pyrolysis Reactor

Biomass enters the first stage of the reactor and is heated with hot syngas. Dried materials enter the second stage reactor and are autothermally heated in an oxygen limited environment to generate syngas and biochar.

Syngas Management

Syngas is generated in the pyrolysis reactor. A fraction of the syngas is combusted to generate heat to sustain the pyrolysis reaction and dry incoming materials. Excess syngas is moved through a cyclone to remove fine particulates before entering a thermal oxidizer to destroy exhaust. A clean stream of heat exits the flue stack.

Biochar Cooling and Functionalization

Biochar exits the pyrolysis reactor and is quenched with water. Nutrients and microbes can be added as desired. Biochar exits the system and is spread onto the field. An offset disk or further field preparation incorporates the biochar into the soil with minimal soil disturbance.

All-Season Benefits

Our system addresses local crop residues all year long. During harvest season we keep our mobile systems moving in the field. During other times of the year, we work with growers and processors of agriculture products to address underutilized and problematic biomass. Through edge-of-field or edge-of-facility operation adjacent to crop residue sources, we cut out biomass shipping entirely and produce our potent biochar soil amendment on site to be applied to local soils when the time is right.

Origins of biochar

The use of biochar for soil improvement originated over 2,500 years ago in the Amazon. The discovery of Terra Preta soils inspired research into the production and application of biochar as a soil amendment and carbon sequestration technique, leading to the development of the modern biochar industry.

Agriculture

Effect of biochar on soil

The conversion of agricultural byproducts into biochar simultaneously builds soil health, increases fertilizer efficiency, reduces irrigation and liming needs, and supports rural economies, all while providing carbon removal and storage over geologic timescales.

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Benefits to agriculture

Nutrient retention

Biochar has a high surface area and negative charge, allowing it to retain nutrients that may have otherwise been leached from the soil, for improved plant uptake.

Soil health + water retention

Biochar increases water retention capacity and reduces soil bulk density so roots can access nutrients and water.

Enhanced microbial activity

The porous structure of biochar is a suitable habitat for soil microorganisms like bacteria and fungi, which play crucial roles in soil aggregation and promoting plant growth.

Neutralize acidic soils

Biochar is alkaline in nature and helps to increase the pH of acidic soils, making nutrients more available for plant uptake and reducing the toxicity of some heavy metals.

Support rural economies

When farmers are involved in the production and use of biochar, their communities benefit from job opportunities, poverty reduction, and food security.

Management of crop residue

By converting excess crop residues and keeping that carbon in the field, farmers can minimize fuel use and field compaction, while maximizing long-term value.

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Climate

Our Carbon Removal Solution

Our advanced technology transforms sustainable crop residues into high-temperature biochar–carbon that is stored for geologic timescales. In addition to carbon, this waste-to-value process is centered in agricultural fields, meaning we keep the carbon where it matters most, in the soil providing numerous co-benefits to soil health, water, farmers, and rural communities.

Get to net zero

Without Biochar Carbon Removal

Almost all of the carbon returns to the atmosphere

With Biochar Carbon Removal

Up to half of the carbon is removed

Benefits to climate

Permanent carbon removal

Biochar is a stable, inert form of carbon that persists for geologic time scales, making it a great tool for permanently sequestering carbon from the atmosphere to mitigate climate change.

Cutting-edge digital MRV

We utilize a data platform that keeps a digital, online, and auditable record of all operational controls, measurements, and locations of our mobile systems at all times.

Third-party certified and audited

To ensure trust, sustainability, and robust credits, Applied Carbon’s biochar carbon removal continues to be audited by well-known, independent, and third-party auditors.

Unparalleled co-benefits

Our work is centered in agricultural fields, meaning we keep the carbon where it matters most–in the soil providing numerous co-benefits to soil health, water, farmers, and rural communities.

Sustainable biomass

If other agriculture or forestry wastes are used for biochar, our digital MRV as well as third party certifications and auditors ensure a high level of sustainability and accountability.

Greenhouse gas emissions

Adding biochar to soil reduces emissions of methane and nitrous oxide, whilst improving aeration and providing a habitat for microorganisms that consume these gasses.

Carbon removal for defensible climate action

For companies working towards their net zero targets, purchasing our biochar carbon credits can help offset their carbon footprint. Research indicates that biochar carbon removal is one of the safest and most permanent carbon dioxide removal methods available on the market.