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
Advancing Organics Management in Washington State: The Waste to Fuels Technology Partnership 2021-2023. (PDF)
Boone, K., Garcia-Perez, M., Jobson, T., Bronstad, E., Crow, V., Hills, K., Whittemore, A. and Yorgey, G. 2023. Advancing Organics Management in Washington State: The Waste to Fuels Technology Partnership 2021-2023. Solid Waste Management Program, Washington State Department of Ecology. Olympia, WA.
Evaluation of Emerging Plastics: Recycling Technologies and Management Strategies (PDF)
Haghighi Mood, S., Yorgey, G., Garcia-Perez, M. 2023. Evaluation of Emerging Plastics: Recycling Technologies and Management Strategies. Solid Waste Management Program, Washington State Department of Ecology. Olympia, WA.
Technical Assessment of Potential Climate Impact and Economic Viability of Biochar Technologies for Small-Scale Agriculture in the Pacific Northwest (PDF)
Amonette, J.E., S. Schiller, and G. Yorgey. 2023. Technical Assessment of Potential Climate Impact and Economic Viability of Biochar Technologies for Small-Scale Agriculture in the Pacific Northwest. Report to Stewart Holdings, LLC. Washington State University, Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources, Wenatchee, WA.
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. WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, WSU Institute for Northwest Energy Futures, Richland, WA.
Additional Publications
Advancing Organics Management in Washington State: The Waste to Fuels Technology Partnership, 2017-2019 Biennium
Hills, K., M. Garcia-Perez, J.E. Amonette, M. Brady, T. Jobson, D. Collins, D. Gang, E. Bronstad, M. Flury, S. Seefeldt, C.O. Stöckle, M. Ayiania, A. Berim, W. Hoashi-Erhardt, N. Khosravi, S. Haghighi Mood, R. Nelson, Y.J. Milan, N. Pickering, N. Stacey, A.H. Tanzil, J. Zhang, B. Saari, and G. Yorgey. 2019. Publication 19-07-027. Solid Waste […]
Methods for Producing Biochar and Advanced Biofuels in Washington State – Part 4: Literature Review of Sustainability Issues, Business Models, and Financial Analyses (PDF)
Garcia-Perez M., J.A. Garcia-Nunez, T. Lewis, C. E. Kruger, M.R. Fuchs, G. Flora, S. Kantor 2012. Fourth Project Report. Department of Biological Systems Engineering and the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 75 pp. (publish date for WP 2/1/2013)
Dairy Waste Biorefinery (PDF)
Kennedy, N., C. Frear, M. Garcia-Perez, C. Kruger, and S. Chen. 2013. Concept illustration and description.
Organic Waste Biorefinery (PDF)
Kennedy, N., C. Frear, M. Garcia-Perez, C. Kruger, and S. Chen. 2013. Concept illustration and description.
Biochar Produced from Anaerobically Digested Fiber Reduces Phosphorus in Dairy Lagoons
Streubel, J. D., H. P. Collins, J. M. Tarara, and R. L. Cochran.; Posted online 5 Jan. 2012
The economic value of biochar in crop production and carbon sequestration
Galinato, S., J. Yoder and D. Granatstein. 2011. Energy Policy, 39(10):6344-6350.
Economic tradeoff between biochar and bio-oil production via pyrolysis
Yoder, J., S. Galinato, D. Granatstein and M. Garcia-Perez. 2011. Biomass and Bioenergy, 35(5):1851-1862.
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.
Bioenergy as an Agricultural GHG Mitigation Strategy in Washington State (PDF)
Chapter 22 in Climate Friendly Farming: Improving the Carbon Footprint of Agriculture in the Pacific Northwest. Full report available at http://csanr.wsu.edu/pages/Climate_Friendly_Farming_Final_Report/.
Biochar and Pyrolysis: Renewable Soil Carbon and Energy – December 2009 (PDF)
Article in Sustaining the Pacific Northwest Newsletter
Browse all Biochar (Pyrolysis) Publications
External Links
- eXtension
- National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA) Master Publications List
- Plant and Life Sciences Publishing
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