Biochar Production (Pyrolysis)
& Profit from Carbon Credits
Biochar Production via Pyrolysis or Gasification
Biochar can be created from a range of agricultural feedstocks such as wood, nuts, shells, litters, manures, straw and stalks all can contribute to this process. The result is a usable, marketable product that is growing in demand across the world.
Biochar production through either pyrolysis or gasification are two of the simplest, most measurable and cost-effective methods of carbon capture and storage (CCS) available today. Biochar production generates a massive amount of heat, between 350 to 900° C, which is often lost to the environment if not reused within the process. Capturing and using that heat adds value to your operation when reused or converted to usable electricity. Operating costs can be normalized and predictable. The cost of energy used in operations can be reduced,flattened and predictable over time since the energy is only related to the amount of heat and not dependent upon grid utility prices. Lastly, generating onsite carbon-free electricity may increase the quality and quantity of Carbon Removal Credits ( CDR ) / carbon credits.
Generating Electricity from the Biochar Process
The heat which is lost to the air can be captured and harnessed to create electricity. That electricity can go right back into your operation to reduce operating costs, or put to use in other ways. By capturing this otherwise vented heat, biochar producers can get more value from their existing biochar process and feedstock. ElectraTherm’s units provide a very simple option to capture and harness biochar heat, and then convert that energy to 75-250 kW of power per unit. Once the electricity is generated, it can be used easily in any application across your enterprise.
Our 電源模組75 produces fuel-free, emission-free power from various low-grade waste heat sources using the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) and the company’s patented BITZER semi-hermetic twin screw expander/generator combination. Our Power+ Generator, our heat to power solution, is designed to generate clean electricity from sources of low temperature heat. The 電源+發電機 also doubles as a combined heat and power (CHP) unit, generating up to 85°C of usable thermal in addition to electricity.
This application of creating electricity from the biochar waste heat is efficient and capitalizes on the basic principle of reducing waste. It is best suited for stationary applications where the biochar processing takes place in a fixed-location facility.
Generating Carbon Credits from the Biochar Process
Organic feedstock sources such as wood, nuts, shells, litters, manures, straw and stalks are high in carbon — in the range of 60-80%. Because they are renewable resources and relatively fast growing, they are good solutions for carbon capture – an increasing business opportunity for both farmers and biochar producers.
Biochar as a product is an industrial-scale, commercial solution that allows carbon sequestration. Because the raw materials (e.g. straw, grasses, nut shells, manures, etc) are well understood and in high-volume production, the value of biochar carbon credits tends to be fairly attractive. This economic cycle is robust enough that it is not difficult to find brokers that specialize in selling carbon credits from biochar.
One benefit of carbon removal via biochar is that it is permanent. Once the carbon is captured by the plant and processed into biochar, it is extremely stable and durable. It has myriad uses in both developed and developing economies.
The criteria for receiving carbon credits from biochar generally include:
- Using sustainable biomass
- Biochar pyrolysis equipment
- Market to sell the biochar
- Registration with a carbon credit governing body, or a certified professional that can manage the process for you
Ecocart has an overview of the carbon credits market and process.
The Market for Biochar Carbon Credits
According to a report from investment advisors MSCI, “Demand for biochar carbon credits has doubled each of the last two years, with prices trading consistently over USD 100/metric tonnes (mt) of carbon dioxide equivalent. The latest modeling by MSCI Carbon Markets suggests demand for this project type could grow 20-fold over the next 10 years.”
Biochar is treated in the marketplace as a carbon removal technology, often called carbon capture and storage, or CCS. As the markets for CCS continue to grow due to government mandates, the economics of the market for biochar carbon credits naturally will grow along with it. The use for biochar itself as a product has sufficient benefit to stand on its own. When you add in the fact that carbon credits are available for biochar producers, the business model becomes even more attractive.
Per MSCI, the price for biochar carbon credits has been in the range of $100-200 USD. As with other markets, the price will vary. One helpful aspect of biochar is that it can be produced from a wide range of feedstocks. As a producer, accessing lower cost feedstock is another variable at your disposal to meet your financial and production goals.
The Market for Biochar as a Product
According to Fortune Business Insights, the global biochar market was $763 million in 2024, and is projected to grow to $2.1 billion by 2032. Renewable energy mandates target biochar as a scalable market for carbon capture and downstream revenue. Biochar can be used on its own or as ingredients in landscaping products.
Biochar as a product has a wide range of applications already built into the developed and developing economy.
- Soil health: agriculture, garden, landscaping, turf, trees, horticulture, composting
- Environmental: environmental remediation, erosion control, wetlands, odor reduction
- Water: storm water filtration, water treatment, functionalized chars, 3D aerogels
- Forestry: wildfire fuel reduction, reforestation, growing media, revegetation
- Carbon: carbon sequestration, carbon credits, renewable energy offsets
[source: US Biochar Initiative]
每個生物炭熱解系統都存在高溫操作(通常超過 700C 度),這使其成為廢熱回收發電的理想選擇。無論所討論的原料是農業生物質,如稻殼、甘蔗纖維(也稱為甘蔗渣)或樹堅果殼,還是其他生物質,如木材、伐木、木材或樹木服務“殘渣”,或生物固體,都是如此。
Adding waste heat recovery power generation
to a pyrolysis application provides multiple benefits
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碳信用值
如今,幾乎所有生物炭業者都在尋求利用與碳去除相關的金融機會,也稱為透過自願性碳市場 (VCM) 提供的 CDR 信用。透過廢熱回收進行能源生產代表著透過降低商品的碳強度來提高最終生物炭產品的價值的機會。
監理合規
廢熱發電有助於減少碳排放稅,並且有利於滿足即將到來的合規要求,例如歐盟碳去除框架(ECRF)。
高科技熱能利用
許多最受尊敬的碳信用認證組織建議或要求利用廢熱,以符合「高科技」熱能操作的資格。利用 ORC 發電將廢熱轉化為電能,既能滿足營運的電力需求,又能減少其排放量,從而滿足了這項需求。
降低營運費用
透過減少(或幾乎消除)熱解操作期間對碳基電源(例如來自市政電網的電力)的需求並將其替換為無排放發電,整個系統的運營成本就會降低。
提高生物炭的價值
以最碳友善的方式生產的生物炭將在開放市場上更具吸引力,因為高價值的「承購商」尋求從最環保的供應商處採購生物炭。因此,結合廢熱發電的熱解系統所產生的生物炭的需求將會更高。