Laboratory testing

We have produced a large range of biochar’s from a number of feedstock's which include:

• Hardwood species
• Softwoods species
• Perennial grass species
• Crop Residues
• Upland management materials

Each of these have been subjected to different pyrolysis treatments and over 70 types of biochar have been produced. The ability of each biochar to adsorb metals from effluents has been investigated along with full characterisation of the material.

The materials ability to mine water is first quantified through batch experiments which should represents the materials potential as a adsorbent. Any biochar’s highlighted during these experiments can then be scaled into larger column experiments which are more representative of the potential field performance. Once the biochar has been saturated with metals we then subject each material to recovery experiments.

As the biochar is indented to be deployed in the environment it is important that there is no potential risk; to minimise this we conduct full analysis of the effluents including inorganic and organic contaminates.

Once we have optimised the production of the material in the laboratory the parameters can then be replicated in the large pyrolysis rig. The performance of the material can then be tested in purpose built field trials. We are now able to operate a number of treatment cells which capable of simulating a range of environmental applications.