Peruvian Pyrolysis Unit

Australian Designed Domestically Fabricated Biochar Machine

Basic design and capabilities
Stationary steel cart with mobile sarcophagus made of stainless steel, ceramic insulation and mild steel.
Pipework and ducting to capture and combust gas and vapor byproducts.
Centrifugal fan for high pressure air for fire box, water pump and nozzles to regulate pyrolysis reaction.
Multi-feedstock capability with chamber volume of 4.5 cubic meters at ~200-400 kg of biochar per meter.
8-12 hours to complete cycle and quench finished biochar.



Construction Calendar Biochar Kiln:

May 27th- June 5th:  Frame metal cutting and assembly
June 4th - June 10th:  Exhaust and Flare assembly
June 11th - June 15th:  Assembly of Final Unit


Project Site: Estación Biológica Villa Carmen

Site Overview

Kosñipata Valley context
Preinca Matsigenka and Karakmbut, Inca colonization and coca farms, European rubber barons in the 19th century, sugar haciendas, 1955 completion of road to Pilcopata, Velasco's agrarian land reform (1969),  timber boom,  present day pineapple, rice, plantain and yuca production, some wild bamboo harvested for Cusco construction, ecotourism to Manu and elsewhere, future completion of road improvements and connection to national electric grid.


Experiments at VC
-Effects of different biochar application rates on agronomic efficiency, net primary productivity, and chemical composition of annual crops (yuca, corn), perennial crops, and bamboo plantation
-Potential to add value to raw biochar through microbial inoculation, nutrient impregnation, aging with compost.
-Other uses of bamboo biochar: filtration and wastewater treatment, animal feed supplement, tree nursery potting mix, substrate for hydroponics.


Other Experiments

Manuani Restoration Forestry
Ochroma, Schizolobium, Erythrina, etc

Potential to Prevent Entry of Mercury into Aquatic food chain