FIC Ñuble project proposes to reuse agricultural waste to generate biochar and reduce the environmental impact of agricultural burning

Project led by Dr. Cristina Muñoz from the University of Concepción consists of creating a low-cost tool that converts agricultural waste into biochar. This biochar is used to enrich soils, increase carbon levels and improve their chemical properties.

Lorenzo Palma, Journalist.- The research is carried out by the Laboratory of Carbonous Materials and Agriculture of the Department of Soils and Natural Resources of the University of Concepción, which focuses on the production and analysis of different amendments for the adaptation of agriculture to climate change.

The project name is «Sustainable Agriculture Transfer: From residue to amendment», financed by the Regional Government of Ñuble, this innovative project seeks to face the challenge of climate change in agriculture. How does he do it? By adapting agricultural systems to new environmental conditions, such as increased temperatures and water scarcity.

The project focuses on the development of a tool that allows the reuse of agricultural residues for the production of biochar. Biochar is called a type of charcoal produced with organic residues, for example, from pruning remains of various fruit trees, brush waste, cereal stubble, among others, through a process called pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is the decomposition of organic matter at temperatures between 350 to 900 C° and a low oxygen atmosphere.

This biochar can be incorporated into soils in order to improve their chemical properties. Biochar can have high levels of carbon, phosphorous, nitrogen, hydrogen, and/or sulfur, depending on the feedstock used. The use of biochar opens possibilities for a more sustainable management of agriculture, explains the researcher.

The project director and her team have been working in this line of research for more than 6 years, obtaining basic information on the properties of biochars, changes in the chemical, physical and biological properties of soils; and now advancing in the technology that allows its implementation at the farm level, which will allow the transfer of this technology and knowledge to farmers. Its objective is to establish a circular economy model that reuses pruning and harvest residues at the farm level. Using low-cost technology and without harming the environment, the project seeks to implement low-scale biochar production systems at farm level for the recovery of degraded soils, increasing their productive potential.

stages

The project has 5 stages, the first consists of visits to properties that allow an estimate of available residues, mainly woody residues such as remains of pruning and brush. Then, work meetings will be held to design a technically viable pyrolysis furnace, and preliminary tests will be carried out.

Then, the second stage, includes the collection and characterization of materials available to produce biochar from these residues, and prepare technical sheets of the same. It is expected to be able to produce three types of biochar with their characterized raw materials.

The next stage consists in the establishment of experimental plots with biochar applications for different crops. Greenhouse gas emissions will also be monitored and periodic evaluations of growth and production parameters will be carried out.

In its fourth phase, the research will carry out an analysis of the total carbon in the soils at the beginning and end of a crop season. The objective is to increase the final carbon content compared to the soil without application.

And finally, in the last phase, an analysis of gases and aerosols emitted during the carbonization process will be carried out: the project will compare the analysis of the life cycle of biochar production using prototype equipment and an open combustion furnace.

“The ultimate goal is to have a neutral environmental impact or less than the environmental impact of agricultural burning,” said the researcher.

Knowledge exchange with farmers

In addition, the project plans to organize meetings and field days to exchange information with producers and train them in the use of biochar. Including training workshops for workers and field technicians, with the aim of disseminating the results and transferring technology. In addition to co-producing knowledge with farmers on the importance of improving soil quality, protecting the environment and generating sustainable agriculture over time.

In conclusion, the proposed solutions include the adaptation of a low-cost pyrolysis system, the generation of knowledge of the products formed, the transfer of knowledge to producers and local agricultural companies, and support in the implementation of this system at the farm level. productive system.