Biochar laboratory
ATB operates its own technical laboratories in the lab and pilot plant scale for producing biochar using various thermal processes such as pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC).
Available thermal equipment includes a rotary kiln for pyrolysis, high pressure batch reactors (250 mL, 1 L, 18.75 L) for hydrothermal carbonization as well as equipment for pre- and postprocessing (milling, filtering, pelletizing). ATB also has facilities for characterizing the physical, chemical, and biological properties of biochar.
The primary focus of biochar laboratory is to develop methods to valorize organic wastes and determine appropriate applications for the biochars and liquid by-products. Potential applications being studied are: soil amendment to improve fertility or as a carbon sink in the agricultural production chain, adsorbent for gas and water applications, renewable fuel.
Current activities:
- Production of biochar from different feedstocks using pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) at different scales
- Pre-treatment / post-treatment / product refinement
- Consulting on specialized and technical aspects
