FAQ

Gasification is a chemical reaction caused by heating material (manure) in an oxygen-starved environment. Pre-dried manure or other compatible fuel is inserted. This dry fuel is then heated in an oxigen-starved environment, which produces a syngas and a solid. The produced energy can be (re)used for various purposes such as steam, hot water, hot air and electricity. Besides heat the gasifier produces EcoChar, a very valuable by-product of the gasification process. EcoChar still contains the mineral ash and fixed carbon, which offers great environmental advantages and economic value. Gasification is a new way of solving manure issues. It ensures a smaller environmental carbon footprint and is one of the answers to future energy needs. A complete solution to transfer multiple organic/manure streams into green energy and EcoChar.

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It is possible to gasify a wide variety of fuels. Most feasible fuels to gasify have a high output of syngas combined with a high quality output of EcoChar. Based on the characteristics of the fuel being gasified, EcoChar is available in variable qualities and quantities.

Examples of fuels (manure) to gasify:

• Cow manure
• Pig manure
• Turkey litter
• Poultry litter
• Layer manure
• Wet distillery grain

Biomass materials contain carbon in two forms – fixed carbon and volatile matter. The carbon in the volatile matter is reacted in the gasification process, while the fixed carbon is left behind in the output of the system. This residue is called EcoChar. If a biomass material such as manure, litter or biosolids is used in a gasifier, the EcoChar output has superior nutrient-retention properties and is even more valuable for improving stability in soil then Biochar. Manure will contain anywhere from 15 to 30% mineral ash, and 6 to 18% fixed carbon. This produces an EcoChar with a carbon content around 20 to 25%, but containing an array of beneficial nutrients – P(Phosphorus), K(Potassium), Ca(Calcium), and Mg(Magnesium).

The residue EcoChar is a carbon-rich product obtained when biomass is heated in a closed container, in either an oxygen-starved or oxygen free environment. To better understand what EcoChar is, you can compare it with Biochar. This “black earth”, or Terra Preta, of the Amazon Rain Forest is noted worldwide as being one of the most fertile soils, because of the biochar material in it. EcoChar is an amazing product that can be used as soil improver. It still contains the mineral ash and fixed carbon, which offers great environmental advantages and economic value. EcoChar is in fact the premium version of biochar.

EcoChar has a variety of uses. Sustainable EcoChar is one of the few technologies that is relatively inexpensive, widely applicable and quickly scalable. Main uses of EcoChar:

• Soil amendment/improver (fertilizer)
• Animal bedding (absorbent)
• Animal feed ingredient
• Water and active coal filtration
• (Heavy) metal remediation
• Air treatment

EcoChar has a carbon-negative process Co2:C ratio = 3:1. The specific properties:

• High content of P, K, Ca en Mg
• Dry and odourless
• Free of pathogens
• Holds 2.5 times its own weight with moisture
• Guarantees less ‘soak-away’ from high quality nutrients

EcoChar can be vastly different depending on the way it’s produced and the materials from which it was created. Based on the characteristics of the fuel being gasified, EcoChar is available in variable qualities and quantities.

EcoChar will greatly improve soil fertility, lowers the amount of nutrients or fertilizer needed and reduces your carbon footprint. It is valuable for improving stability in soil as it is retained in the soil over many hundreds of years, unlike fertilizers which typically require annual application. Sustainable EcoChar is relatively inexpensive, widely applicable, and quickly scalable. EcoChar can easily be stored and transported and has a very interesting commercial value. It can increase the crop yields, boost the agriculture and even optimize the fertility of your own backyard. In addition it also has a variety of other uses, including animal feed supplements, beddings and use as a water filtration medium.

It is valuable for improving stability in soil as it is retained in the soil over many hundreds of years, unlike fertilizers which typically require annual application. EcoChar releases the amount of nutrients gradually and hereby lowers the amount of fertilizer and nutrients needed. It increases plant growth and improves performance over time – the 2nd an 3rd year is better than the first. It also increases the water retention properties of soil, so less water is needed to keep the soil moisturized.

Spring 2018 Wageningen Research performed a desk study about the possible uses and regulations in Europe of EcoChar, initiated and funded by Mavitec. The promising results are available now at the website of Wageningen University.

Download the results

Please contact us to find out and experience the benefits of EcoChar.
You can call +31 (0)72 241 0003 or send an e-mail to info@ecochar.net