Biochar is the solid product of thermochemically processing biomass, used for agronomic or horticulture purposes. The goal of this project is to characterize chars produced by the Iowa State University Center for Sustainable Environmental Technology’s thermochemical processes, to test the char’s suitability as a biochar soil amendment, and ultimately, to engineer and produce biochars that exhibit desirable agronomic properties.
Impact
As soil amendments, chars have been shown to increase soil fertility by improving nutrient and water retention, lowering soil acidity and density, and increasing microbial activity. In addition, energy production from biomass that stores carbon as biochar can be considered carbon-negative due to biochar’s high recalcitrance.
Robert Brown’s other chemical engineering projects
