Biochar Research for Biorefining

UGA's Biorefining research team is addressing concerns through concentrated research of Biochar, a by-product of biofuel production. Researchers are developing a way of improving the effect of poultry litter as fertilizer, or maximizing the composting process, by mixing it with biochar. Similarly, it has been found that pyrolysis of crop residues for bioenergy production and the redistribution of the resulting biochar is a highly efficient way to mitigate the potentially harmful effects thereof, by increasing the soil nutrients and sequestering carbon. UGA's research has shown a potential way of minimizing ammonia loss from poultry litter by mixing it with biochar. Research is being conducted to determine the efficacy of pyrolysis of crop residues for bio-energy generation coupled with the redistribution of the resulting biochar. UGA research shows biochars from different feedstocks vary in nutrient content and carbon to nitrogen ratios and this may affect carbon mineralization rates and nitrogen availability. During the pyrolysis process, important plant nutrients concentrate in biochar and specific studies are evaluating which biochars, peanut hull and pine chip, are most effective, and how different pyrolysis methods can affect nutrient content.