ARS | Publication request: An integrated, semi-automated approach to thermochemical conversion research for sustainable farming systems

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: January 14, 2010
Publication Date: March 18, 2010
Citation: Cantrell, K.B., Martin, J.H. 2010. An integrated, semi-automated approach to thermochemical conversion research for sustainable farming systems. In: Proceedings of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers Southeastern Conference, March 18-21, 2010, Charlotte, North Carolina. p. 93-97. 2010 CDROM.

Technical Abstract: An integrated, semi-automated system is presented for the rapid and efficient testing and production of research-scale quantities of biochar. This biochar, produced from agricultural waste materials, can easily be incorporated in future sustainable livestock farming systems. These farming systems will be able to diversify farm income by generating a consistent, predictable, marketable product useful for energy production or as a soil amendment. To assess the potential of biochar and proceed quickly from experimental design to experimental results, a variety of analytical instrumentation, control technologies, and processing technologies were brought together to decrease analysis time and double the production of a wide variety of bio-char types.