Mobile biochar production from forest biomass as a site restoration and climate change mitigation tool

Biochar is an anthropogenic charcoal used as a soil amendment. It can be made from waste biomass using a wide range of methods, from simple kilns to large-scale industrial systems that produce heat, power and sometimes liquid fuels and chemicals as co-products. This presentation is focused on understanding the potential costs and benefits of using forest biomass as feedstock to produce biochar for use in forestry, agriculture and mine land reclamation. The focus is on mobile biochar systems that can be deployed close to biomass sources and biochar application sites, including the CharBoss©, which was developed through a public-private partnership between Air Burners Inc. and the U.S. Forest Service. This presentation will synthesize the results of several recent field trials and experiments, as well as published research examining the financial performance of biochar operations and associated nonmarket values, including potential for carbon offsets. In this context, biochar can help accomplish both public and private land management and climate change mitigation goals by reducing wildfire risk, mitigating pile burning impacts, improving soils and sequestering carbon.