<![CDATA[BIOCHAR - Blog]]>Thu, 22 Jan 2026 17:45:29 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Mobile Pyrolysis Unit]]>Mon, 23 May 2022 11:54:28 GMThttps://www.biocharireland.com/blog/mobile-pyrolysis-unitMobile Pyrolysis unit , to find out more click on WWW.BIOMASSTOBIOCHAR.IE
Picture
]]><![CDATA[Biochar  and Onions]]>Thu, 14 Jul 2016 11:41:46 GMThttps://www.biocharireland.com/blog/biochar-and-onionsSpot the difference.

Normally, comparative pictures of the positive effects off biochar show hand picked vegetables accompanied by the control vegatables. But one would often wonder were the best vegetables just picked.
This picture shows onions growing on composted farm yard manure. The onions on the left all received biochar , whilst on the far right there was NO biochar applied. As they say a picture speaks a thousand words!

Picture
]]><![CDATA[Biochar treated Ash trees shows positive effects against Ash die back.]]>Tue, 23 Feb 2016 00:15:24 GMThttps://www.biocharireland.com/blog/biochar-treated-ash-trees-shows-positive-effects-against-ash-die-backAsh die back  commonly know as Chalara or as it as now correctly referred to as Hymenoscyphus fraxineus has been confirmed in 24 of the 26 counties in Ireland. This disease causes leaf loss, crown dieback and will eventually lead to the death of most Ash trees either directly or indirectly via infection of other pest or diseases such as Armillaria fungus.
The Irish Forest Service are actively monitor the disease in Ireland and in commercial forestry plantations there are grants to remove infected Ash. But for the private gardener the option of removing a beloved Ash tree may be a last resort.
Ironically the very trees that are infected can be turned into biochar which can be then used as a preventative measure by air spreading around the roots of the trees.
Recent findings by Bartlett tree expert Dr Glynn Percival have shown that trees treated with enriched biochar did not get the disease whilst not treated treed did.
Dr Glynn Percival, head plant physiologist at the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratory, said: "While we cannot claim this to be a cure for ash dieback, we are clear that it has a beneficial impact.
"We will need to run further trials to be clear on its qualities to prevent the disease taking hold, but this is an important discovery and we believe using enriched biochar could help improve the survival prospects for the UK's ash trees."

See more art the link below.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/environment/12167224/New-hope-for-tackling-ash-dieback-as-researchers-claim-charcoal-treatment-makes-trees-more-resilient.html

]]><![CDATA[University College Cork biochar trials.]]>Fri, 01 Jan 2016 22:48:25 GMThttps://www.biocharireland.com/blog/university-college-cork-biochar-trialsGood News from UCC organic horticulture Master student T. O' Sullivan whom carried out his research project using our biochar. He used white turnip as his crop and the tests were carried out in field.The trials were carried out in new ground and also followed up on trials carried out by another student in 2014. Growth results were postive for crop sown in 2014 biochar plot and for 2015 biochar plots. Results to follow at a later date.

 
]]><![CDATA[Chickens and biochar]]>Mon, 06 Jul 2015 10:01:08 GMThttps://www.biocharireland.com/blog/chickens-and-biocharWe hear a lot these days about food waste and  a lot of money is spent disposing of it. Yet if you can keep 2 or 3 chickens you can virtually eliminate food waste. Chickens will just about eat anything us humans eat (just dont feed them other chicken by products !) . Having chickens is a way of turning our waste into food  for hens and in turn they turn it back into food for us -- eggs (now thats a real good example of a circular economy ). Adding biochar to poultry feed improves health of poultry and improves the quality of the chicken litter for making an excellent garden compost-- read below.
]]><![CDATA[Our ever increasing awareness of just how complex our world is.]]>Sun, 26 Apr 2015 20:10:55 GMThttps://www.biocharireland.com/blog/our-ever-increasing-awareness-of-just-how-complex-our-world-isOur ever increasing awareness of how complex our food supply is. http://www.cowspiracy.com/homepage/
It worth noting that here in Ireland I heard it said that around 1916 the poor people of Dublin  virtually eat no meat whilst the middle classes consumed around 4lbs per week , even people living on farms back then consumed very little meat - they would rather sell it! Of course some of this video does not totally relate to the Irish situation (our cattle are still primalrily feed on grass and harvest it themselves and we have plenty of water). But as George Lee said the recent increase in milk production will lead to increase in green house gases and it will be the Irish tax payer that will foot the bill . How sickening that will be when so many renewable energy projects that could have happened but for lack of real Government support, as opposed to lip service that is so common amongst our leaders.




]]><![CDATA[Flaring of woodgas whilst making biochar]]>Tue, 24 Mar 2015 12:05:12 GMThttps://www.biocharireland.com/blog/flaring-of-woodgas-whilst-making-biocharAnother example of making biochar at home.  Simply get an old paint tin (best to pre burn it to remove contaminants). Then make sure you punch hole in the lid to allow gases to escape (as in the picture below) then insert a strong wire to as as a handle and place over any fire, this will take a a couple of hours depending on the heat of the fire, the particle size and moisture content of the biomass.
This an ideal way to turn small pieces such as wood shavings into biochar. You will have to shake the tin every now an then to insure that all the biomass is turned into biochar
]]><![CDATA[Elaine Doyle | TEDxTallaght]]>Tue, 20 Jan 2015 17:58:52 GMThttps://www.biocharireland.com/blog/elaine-doyle-tedxtallaght
]]><![CDATA[White Rot Fungi Slowed Coal Formation]]>Mon, 01 Dec 2014 20:03:37 GMThttps://www.biocharireland.com/blog/white-rot-fungi-slowed-coal-formationThe evolution of the ability to break down a plant's protective lignin largely stopped the geologic burial of carbon that formed present-day coal deposits—and may provide secrets to making biofuels from inedible parts of plants.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mushroom-evolution-breaks-down-lignin-slows-coal-formation/


]]><![CDATA[Cork students win Google prize for use of diazotroph bacteria as a cereal crop germination and growth aid.]]>Mon, 29 Sep 2014 20:16:25 GMThttps://www.biocharireland.com/blog/cork-students-win-google-prize-for-use-of-diazotroph-bacteria-as-a-cereal-crop-germination-and-growth-aidOne of the attributes of biochar is its ability to increase/improve germination - could what these Cork girls have discovered be the reason for the positive effect biochar has on germination, after all its well know that biochars microscopic pores harbour many bacteria and fungi.

https://www.googlesciencefair.com/en/?project=6105607161511936

]]><![CDATA[Bartlett Trees using biochar.]]>Mon, 29 Sep 2014 19:37:32 GMThttps://www.biocharireland.com/blog/bartlett-trees-using-biocharBartlet tree services had a demo day last summer in Dublin and the use of biochar to improve tree  growth was mentioned. Its believed the number of plant-enchaining microorganisms, such as Trichoderma are boosted in soils amended with biochar. These microorganisms play a role in eliciting a response know as systemic induced resistance(SIR). SIR can result in the increase in defense mechanisms within the plant that reduces damages from insect and disease pest.
]]><![CDATA[Over the last 200 years our soils have lost over half their soil carbon, see what these cattle farmer are doing to put it back into the soil.]]>Sat, 31 May 2014 17:01:20 GMThttps://www.biocharireland.com/blog/over-the-last-200-years-our-soils-have-lost-over-half-their-soil-carbon-see-what-these-cattle-farmer-are-doing-to-put-it-back-into-the-soil ]]><![CDATA[Another method for storing carbon in your soil]]>Fri, 02 May 2014 21:13:55 GMThttps://www.biocharireland.com/blog/another-method-for-storing-carbon-in-your-soil
]]><![CDATA[Biochar Workshop]]>Mon, 24 Feb 2014 21:36:44 GMThttps://www.biocharireland.com/blog/biochar-workshop
]]><![CDATA[Making Charcoal using the Adam retort on a Winters night.]]>Fri, 21 Feb 2014 22:35:11 GMThttps://www.biocharireland.com/blog/making-charcoal-using-the-adam-retort-on-a-winters-night
Above, Flaring of Gas from chimney after several hours, this indicates the charcoal making process is near an end.
Below, the chimney is shut down and the gas is forced into the fire box, thus using the flammable gases to heat the kiln.
]]><![CDATA[Make biochar and at the same time cook and produce electricity.]]>Fri, 13 Dec 2013 14:10:58 GMThttps://www.biocharireland.com/blog/make-biochar-and-at-the-same-time-cook-and-produce-electricityPicture
Now it is possible to cook food, make biochar and produce enough electricity to charge your mobile phone whilst out camping. It could also be very hand to have in the house in case of a power cuts.
http://www.biolitestove.com/campstove/camp-overview/features/http://www.biolitestove.com/campstove/camp-overview/features/
]]><![CDATA[Three of the Eleven Virgin Earth Challenge Finalists are Biochar Companies]]>Sun, 08 Dec 2013 19:45:33 GMThttps://www.biocharireland.com/blog/three-of-the-eleven-virgin-earth-challenge-finalists-are-biochar-companiesThe Prize is $25 million and there are 11 finalist of which 3 are Biochar related.
http://www.virginearth.com/finalists/
]]><![CDATA[Our catch phrase 'Old Technology,New Science' has taken on a meaning ...]]>Fri, 25 Oct 2013 23:03:55 GMThttps://www.biocharireland.com/blog/our-catch-phrase-old-technologynew-science-has-taken-on-a-meaning Picture=
 Researchers report that wood-biochar supercapacitors can produce as much power as today's activated-carbon supercapacitors at a fraction of the cost – and with environmentally friendly byproducts. 
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-10-team-forest-cheaper-greener-supercapacitors.html#jCp     

]]><![CDATA[Cool Planet USA can now make Petrol/Gasoline out of biomass]]>Tue, 22 Oct 2013 12:58:34 GMThttps://www.biocharireland.com/blog/cool-planet-usa-can-now-make-petrolgasoline-out-of-biomasshttp://www.coolplanet.com/home
]]><![CDATA[NUI Galway trialing biochar as a filter media]]>Mon, 14 Oct 2013 20:52:37 GMThttps://www.biocharireland.com/blog/nui-galway-trialing-biochar-as-a-filter-mediaNUI Galway’s Geo-Environmental Engineering (GENE) Research Group is currently investigating the adsorption properties of biochar and other filter medias in protecting the environment from nutrient losses arisingfrom various Irish industries. Mre to come.....
]]><![CDATA[June 17th, 2013]]>Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:36:24 GMThttps://www.biocharireland.com/blog/june-17th-2013PictureThe biochar trials continue.
First tray with Radish on the  LHS is the control and the others have biochar added.
]]><![CDATA[DIY Biochar in your fireplace or stove]]>Fri, 01 Mar 2013 22:19:54 GMThttps://www.biocharireland.com/blog/diy-biochar-in-your-fireplace-or-stovePicture 1 - chopped dry firewood
Picture 2 - biscuit tin in fireplace with lid and 2 holes for wood gas to escape N.B very important to have holes or it could explode. Also wire wrapped around tin to keep lid on and to remove from fire.

Video shows the woodgas escaping and being burnt off. charcoal is made when flames cease to burn, in this case it tuck about 1.5 hours Remove from fire and seal holes with sand or mud to prevent the charcoal reigniting.
Simply grind up to the required size.
]]><![CDATA[Bithghualach - the irish for biochar.]]>Tue, 19 Feb 2013 14:54:43 GMThttps://www.biocharireland.com/blog/bithghualach-the-irish-for-biocharI posted a query on the Foras na Gaeilge web site wondering what the irish for biochar would be and i am told it is Bithghualach which roughly translate to 'bio charcoal'.
]]><![CDATA[Now you can enjoy a bit of charcoal with your tea or coffee.]]>Wed, 06 Feb 2013 11:24:45 GMThttps://www.biocharireland.com/blog/now-you-can-enjoy-a-bit-of-charcoal-with-your-tea-or-coffeePicture
Now you can have nice cup of tea and some charcoal and they taste nice!
http://shop.artisanbiscuits.co.uk/savoury-cracker-brands.html?SID=rgo3r6c7ak23nskkcoh8midbl6
]]><![CDATA[Lawrence D Hills on wood ashes and chichens]]>Wed, 06 Feb 2013 11:14:30 GMThttps://www.biocharireland.com/blog/lawrence-d-hillsLawrence D. Hills book 'Month by Month Organic Gardening,The Green Gardeners Calender' first published in 1971 is considered a bible for organic gardeners and growers. It well worth having on ones book shelf as a reference book. The pdf file below  is from pages 34 and 35 of 1989 edition and he talks about using wood ash in the chicken house and he goes as far as saying ''It is worth keeping chickens, if you have a wood stove,to get fertilizer". Remember part of the wood ash will be made of carbonized wood ie charcoal.
lawrence_d_hills_on_wood_ashes.pdf
File Size: 561 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
]]>