Updated on February 1, 2024

·

Created on November 7, 2018

BioChar

Upcoming Update

BioChar sells biochar and charcoal briquettes produced from the transformation of organic waste from greenhouse crops.

Developed By
  1. BioChar Maroc
Content Partners
Unknown

Author

Product Description

BioChar has developed two quick and inexpensive organic waste recovery systems. First, the company transforms organic waste from greenhouse crops (on farms less than 10 hectares) into biochar which is a useful biological amendment for soil regeneration that allows the retention of 50% of water and 50% of nitrogen. Secondly, they produce green coal briquettes for energy purposes.

This is an alternative to non-disseminated waste treatment systems in the villages in Agadir, in Morocco where biomass waste (mainly tomatoes and papers) is burned every year producing over 15,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions as over than 500 small farmers with less than 10 hectares of greenhouses do not have a landfill. Interview with representative

BioChar Maroc sells biochar for 1 USD/kg and charcoal briquettes for 0.5 USD. Logistics are the most costly operations for BioChar, especially when moving the raw material and transporting the final product to customers.Interview with representative

Target customers include:

– Greenhouse tomatoes and peppers producers/farmers

– Restaurants, hotels and individual cook

– Compost companies and farmers

Target SDGs

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

SDG 13: Climate Action

Market Suggested Retail Price

$1.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

BioChar Maroc

Manufacturing/Building Method

Both products are produced through a process that includes collection agricultural byproducts, burning (pyrolyzing), carbonization, and pressing and compacting. BioChar used to compact manually, however, and along with local artisans, they built a machine to compact the charcoal briquettes.

Intellectural Property Type

Open-source

User Provision Model

Products and service are directly from the manufacturer, BioChar.

Distributions to Date Status

As of August 2018, over 100 units have been sold. Interview with the representative

Average daily biogas production (m3/day)

The aim is to have 450 kgs in the final per 1000 kgs  (1 tone) of biomass. Interview with manufacturer

Description of waste source(s)

Organic waste (tomato and pepper) from less than 10 hectares greenhouse crops.

Waste input requirements (kg per hour or day)

1000 kgs (one tone) of biomass. Frequency unknown. Interview with representative

Design Specifications

To create the briquettes, BioChare uses a rectangular and compact biochar kiln with a capacity of 1000 kgs (1 ton) of biomass (mainly for tomatoes and peppers), a water tank (volume to be decided) and all connected with a proper piping system. The kiln is going to be made of refractory iron and is going to be similar to the one designed by Chris Adams. Interview with representative

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Provided by the manufacturer.

Replacement Components

Plastic tubes at the combustion chamber. Interview with representative  

Lifecycle

Lifecycle and disposal directions for the kiln are unknown. Interview with representative

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

BioChar aims to focus on the production of the product by deciding the specified volumes and packages for storage and distribution. As of August 2018, BioChar is working with a local tomato greenhouse company to build a biochar kiln that simultaneously heats a greenhouse. BioChar, however, needs the help of experts on thermodynamics to design the dual system.Interview with the representative

Vetted Performance Status

Biochar Maroc has produced 100 kgs of biochar from tomato biomass with their oven for the company Azura. They are now testing it on the soil and making the phytotoxic analysis.

Safety

Potential hazards regarding spontaneous combustion without proper storage and potential burns during the use of the charcoal briquettes. Guidelines provided by the manufacturer should be followed.

Complementary Technical Systems

None

Academic Research and References

There is no specific academic research about the BioChar Maroc product, however,  Stolarski, et al. published the following review of similar charcoal briquettes:

Stolarski, M.J., et al., 2013, Comparison of quality and production cost of briquettes made from agricultural and forest origin biomass. Renewable Energy, 57, pp 20-26.

Compliance with regulations

The manufacturer claims to match the goals of the 2016-2030 National Sustainable Development Strategy in Marocco.Interview with representative

Evaluation methods

Phytotoxic analysis and testing of the impact of biochar on soil health is ongoing by the Azura company from Morocco.Interview with representative

Other Information

BioChar has participated in the 12th edition of Green Africa Innovation Booster, organized by the Solar Energy and New Energy Research Institute of Morocco (IRISEN) as well as in the 13th edition of the International Exhibition of Agriculture in Meknes (SIAM). BioChar was awarded as the second of three major innovations in the Clean Tech Innovation Challenge in Marocco. Video of biochar and green carbon production process by BioChar Maroc. 2016-2030 National Sustainable Development Strategy in Marocco Morocco sustainable development goal

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