Biochar Applications

When mixed with a binding agent, biochar can be molded into different shapes and sizes to form charcoal briquettes. Compared to ordinary charcoal, charcoal briquettes give a more controlled heat. They are able to reach high temperatures and burn consistently throughout. By replacing traditional wood charcoal with charcoal briquetting, we are able to reduce deforestation from charcoal making and at the same time meet energy needs of people.

Biochar’s absorption properties make it perfect to contain unwanted fluids like urine. When used together with effective microorganisms or wood vinegar, biochar will be able to hold a substantial amount of urine without giving of foul smells. Biochar waterless urinals are perfect for areas that have little access to indoor plumbing such as the urban poor and evacuation areas and can even be used as part of portable toilets.

Bokashi Balls are essentially Mud balls mixed with Effective Microorganisms and biochar. After the period of 14 days, the Effective Microorganisms have fully occupied the biochar and the Bokashi Ball will appear white in color. Bokashi Balls are used to clean waterways both stagnant and flowing. It subdues foul odor and oxidizes the body of water it is thrown into, reviving the river and attacking marine life.  This is currently being used to clean up the Daang Tubo Creek in Barangay U.P. Diliman.

Uri-char or Urine-Biochar is a byproduct from the biochar waterless urinal. This harvested human urine held inside the biochar will be able to double as forest fertilizer. Although certified to be used in domestic agriculture and farming by the World Health Organization, Uri-char will be used mostly for non-food related purposes. Uri-char is most suited for reforestation or prevention of soil erosion.

Wood vinegar can be harvested by condensing smoke emitted during the pyrolysis process. Freshly Harvested wood vinegar is very potent and needs to be diluted before use. It can double as a natural pesticide or as an odor eliminating agent. Though not scientifically proven, in some Asian cultures wood vinegar is first diluted then consumed to rid toxins in the body.

Biochar can also be used as a filtering agent to remove heavy metals in water. Biochar is recommended to be placed at the final stage of filtration after coarser particles such as sand and small rocks. Water passing through the biochar’s micro pours will become clear of heavy metals that are detrimental to human health once consumed.

This combines biochar’s ability to hold fluids and fertilizer’s beneficial properties. Once mixed, biochar will slowly release the contained liquid fertilizer gradually just like how it is able to store and release water depending on the moisture content of the surrounding soil. By using fertilizer with biochar, we are able to keep it in the soil and lessen chemical runoffs, soil erosion, and degregation of soil quality.

Every agriculturalist and farmer knows that produce will not last know in tightly enclosed containers because of the Ethylene secreted by fruits and vegetables. Biochar offers a solution that would be able to prolong post harvest life. Biochar Ethylene packs placed together with fruits and vegetable will absorb ethylene in the area around it. Therefore, the less ethylene circulating around the fruits and vegetable the longer it would take for them to over ripe.

The possibilities of applying biochar are numerous. Biochar itself has a ton of possible uses and multiplied by the variety of other products derived from it gives possibilities only limited by the one’s innovation.