The FIRST biochar production plant in Europe
The facility now operates 24 hours a day, producing around 1,500 kg of high-quality biochar daily. After extensive market research, we chose a Pyreg reactor because it was the most advanced and, importantly, offered the prospect of meeting the strict limits of the waste incineration regulations. As we now know, this was absolutely the right decision.
The biggest challenge was integrating the reactor into a comprehensive system—including full heat recovery. After several modifications, we succeeded perfectly. All the released energy (150 kW) is utilized through our heating network for heating and drying purposes.
The production of biochar involves a special pyrolysis process. The raw material is heated to 500-600°C in the absence of air.
The raw material is fed into the Pyreg reactor through a rotary valve. In this double-jacket reactor, the material is transported upwards by a double helix screw and heated to up to 600°C during the process. The gas produced is immediately extracted, cleaned via a cyclone, and burned in the combustion chamber at 1,200°C. The burnt exhaust gas is then passed through a cleaning stage over the reactor jacket, where it heats the freshly fed material.
No external energy is required for the entire process (except for the electric power needed to drive the screws and blowers). After leaving the reactors, the exhaust gas still has a temperature of about 600°C and is therefore passed through a heat exchanger. The energy recovered here (150 kW) is used in our drying chamber to pre-dry the cellulose fibers.
The finished charcoal falls from the reactor into the discharge screw, where it is cooled and moistened with water before passing through a rotary valve to the outside. The produced biochar has a fine, crumbly texture and can be used directly in fertilizer preparation or composting.
No external energy is required for the entire process (except for the electric power needed to drive the screws and blowers). After leaving the reactors, the exhaust gas still has a temperature of about 600°C and is therefore passed through a heat exchanger. The energy recovered here (150 kW) is used in our drying chamber to pre-dry the cellulose fibers.
The finished charcoal falls from the reactor into the discharge screw, where it is cooled and moistened with water before passing through a rotary valve to the outside. The produced biochar has a fine, crumbly texture and can be used directly in fertilizer preparation or composting.
The production of biochar involves a special pyrolysis process. The raw material is heated to 500-600°C in the absence of air.
The raw material is fed into the Pyreg reactor through a rotary valve. In this double-jacket reactor, the material is transported upwards by a double helix screw and heated to up to 600°C during the process. The gas produced is immediately extracted, cleaned via a cyclone, and burned in the combustion chamber at 1,200°C. The burnt exhaust gas is then passed through a cleaning stage over the reactor jacket, where it heats the freshly fed material.
The production of biochar involves a special pyrolysis process. The raw material is heated to 500-600°C in the absence of air.
The raw material is fed into the Pyreg reactor through a rotary valve. In this double-jacket reactor, the material is transported upwards by a double helix screw and heated to up to 600°C during the process. The gas produced is immediately extracted, cleaned via a cyclone, and burned in the combustion chamber at 1,200°C. The burnt exhaust gas is then passed through a cleaning stage over the reactor jacket, where it heats the freshly fed material.
No external energy is required for the entire process (except for the electric power needed to drive the screws and blowers). After leaving the reactors, the exhaust gas still has a temperature of about 600°C and is therefore passed through a heat exchanger. The energy recovered here (150 kW) is used in our drying chamber to pre-dry the cellulose fibers.
The finished charcoal falls from the reactor into the discharge screw, where it is cooled and moistened with water before passing through a rotary valve to the outside. The produced biochar has a fine, crumbly texture and can be used directly in fertilizer preparation or composting.
Hans-Peter Schmidt
Operator of the Delinat Institute in Switzerland, where the term “Climate Farming” was developed. Collaboration with numerous institutes such as Agroscope ART and the universities of Zurich, Tübingen, Halle, and Giessen. Conducting experiments to find a new, holistic approach so that more CO₂ is sequestered than emitted through agricultural production.
Prof. Dr. Bruno Glaser
Professor of Soil Biogeochemistry at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, teaching courses in soil science and sustainable use of natural resources. Numerous research projects (EU, BMBF, DFG) and publications on the indigenous dark earths of the Amazon (Terra Preta) and a pioneer in Terra Preta and biochar research.
Prof. Dr. Bruno Glaser
Professor of Soil Biogeochemistry at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, teaching courses in soil science and sustainable use of natural resources. Numerous research projects (EU, BMBF, DFG) and publications on the indigenous dark earths of the Amazon (Terra Preta) and a pioneer in Terra Preta and biochar research.
Dr. Claudia Kammann
Justus Liebig University Giessen, interdisciplinary research center. Works on greenhouse gas-producing or -consuming processes in soils and the interaction of biochar in modifying these processes. Convinced of biochar technology and aims to contribute to making biochar a tool in the fight against climate change.
Sign up for the newsletter now and
stay continuously informed about
exclusive offers and news.
