Biochar (pyrolysis)

Pyrolysis is the thermo-chemical conversion of dry organic materials (i.e. woody wastes) into bio-oil, syngas, and biochar. Biochar is being promoted for its potential to improve soil properties, fertility and carbon sequestration in soil while also producing renewable energy. Research results on how this material might impact agricultural soils within temperate regions is contradictory. Validation of biochar as a beneficial soil amendment and carbon sink would add important economic value to the pyrolysis process and spur adoption. More targeted uses in the near term include improved nutrient efficiency and contaminant absorption. Studies on the use of bio-oil have also been conducted.

Featured Publications

Increasing the Economic Value and Sustainability of Washington’s Agriculture Sector Through Industrial Symbiosis: A Report to the Washington Legislature (PDF)

Roth, R., M.P. Wolcott, G.G. Yorgey, J.L. Male, T. Sturdevant, D. Camenzind, F. Pierobon, J. Padowski, C.E. Kruger, A Whittemore, T. Carroll, K. Jensen, S. Moddemeyer, and A. Ybarra. 2023. Increasing the Economic Value and Sustainability of Washington’s Agricultural Sector through Industrial Symbiosis: A report to the Washington Legislature. Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources, Washington State University, Wenatchee, WA.

Biomass to Biochar: Maximizing the Carbon Value (PDF)

Amonette, J.E., J.G. Archuleta, M.R. Fuchs, K.M. Hills, G.G. Yorgey, G. Flora, J. Hunt, H.-S. Han, B.T. Jobson, T.R. Miles, D.S. Page-Dumroese, S. Thompson, K.M. Trippe, K. Wilson, R. Baltar, K. Carloni, C. Christoforou, D.P. Collins, J. Dooley, D. Drinkard, M. Garcia-Pérez, G. Glass, K. Hoffman-Krull, M. Kauffman, D.A. Laird, W. Lei, J. Miedema, J. […]

Integrated biochar research: A roadmap

James E. Amonette, Humberto Blanco-Canqui, Chuck Hassebrook, David A. Laird, Rattan Lal, Johannes Lehmann and Deborah Page-Dumroese Journal of Soil and Water Conservation January 2021, 76 (1) 24A-29A; DOI: https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.2021.1115A

Soil Amendments (PDF)

Yorgey, G., W. Pan, R. Awale, S. Machado, A. Bary. 2017. Chapter 7 In Yorgey, G. and C. Kruger, eds. Advances in Dryland Production Systems in the Pacific Northwest. Washington State University Extension, Pullman, WA.

Bio-Oil: An Introduction to Fast Pyrolysis and its Applications

Murray, T.,  F. Resende, and G. Luo. 2014.  WSU Fact Sheet FS140E. The United States has targeted biofuels generated from domestic biomass supplies as a significant contributor for future liquid fuel supplies. Reliance on domestic fuel production opens the door for a wide range of opportunities for natural resource managers, farmers, and other landowners who will be instrumental […]

Additional Publications

WSU Thermo-Chemical Engineering Laboratory: Manuel Garcia-Perez

Professor Garcia-Perez is an expert in thermo-chemical engineering of biomass into energy and products. Our work with Garcia-Perez includes the development and evaluation of biochar from the pyrolysis of woody organic wastes as a potential soil amendment.

Browse all Biochar (Pyrolysis) Publications

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