large scale systems for composting with charred materials

[Jacky Foo]

On 19/08/07, Bob Morriss <rbmor...@att.net> wrote:
>I believe we need to find a way to incorporate them into
>a large scale system.

Dan N provided us with the idea that charred materials from pyrolysis could be a source. 

This would mean integrating bioenergy production (using pyrolysis) with solid waste recycling via composting at a large scale. The machinery to do all these is available and all these processes are already happening separately. It is just to bring all these together.  

Since we are very much done with Mel's method of producing dark earth soil (small scale) and as he does not have any yields data for discussion, I would like to suggest that we start a parallel discussion on how Bob Morriss would use charred materials in his large scale "Bio Organic Fertilizer" (BOF) process for composting. 

regards
jacky

[Mel Landers]

Jacky said:

 I would like to suggest that we start a parallel discussion on how Bob Morriss would use charred materials in his large scale "Bio Organic Fertilizer" (BOF) process for composting. 

 

This is a good idea, Maybe what has been presented could be of value to Bob, if it can be applied to his process.

 

I want to second your suggestion that others    consider large scale production using pyrolysis. That is what we will be doing weith our system, both to provide large quantities of charred material and to produce bio-deisel form the exhaust.

 

mel

Jacky Foo <jack...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Daniel Nagengast]

Hello all,

To that end, I was thinking about already-collected materials in this
country (the U.S.), e.g., what you can find in forestry dumps.

I am curious as to whether anyone has experience with smoldering
forestry waste, especially fallen leaves, or smaller radial twigs?
Would one get a suitable charcoal product? How would you construct the
pile to get it lit, but still have it smolder in the absence of oxygen.
Would leaf charcoal have the characteristics you want? Why does
compost leaves give you humus, but no charcoal? Would pyrolysis of
leave give you a suitable product?

Also, I'm reading 1491, which I'm sure many of you have. The author
goes into detail about the Amazonian terra preta soils. It would be
nice if one of us would contact some of the researchers at Cornell or
elsewhere to see if they would join the discussion. I'm willing to do
that if no one else has contacts or relationships. I am also willing
to leave the academics out of this discussion if other feel that way.

Cheers,

Dan Nagengast

On Aug 19, 2007, at 12:18 AM, Jacky Foo wrote:

>
>
> On 19/08/07, Bob Morriss <rbmor...@att.net> wrote:
> >I believe we need to find a way to incorporate them into
> >a large scale system.
>
> Dan N provided us with the idea that charred materials from
> pyrolysis could be a source.
>
> This would mean integrating bioenergy production (using pyrolysis)
> with solid waste recycling via composting at a large scale. The
> machinery to do all these is available and all these processes are
> already happening
> separately. It is just to bring all these together.
>
> Since we are very much done with Mel's method of producing dark earth
> soil (small scale) and as he does not have any yields data for
> discussion, I would like to suggest
> that we start a parallel discussion on how Bob Morriss would use charre

> d materials in his large scale "Bio Organic Fertilizer" (BOF)

> process for composting.
>
> regards
> jacky
>
> >
>

Dan Nagengast
785-748-0959
785-748-0609 fax
nage...@earthlink.net
www.kansasruralcenter.org

[Jacky Foo]

On 20/08/07, Daniel Nagengast <nage...@earthlink.net > wrote:
>Would pyrolysis of leave give you a suitable product?

YES, I believe so.

When I was introduced to pyrolysis years ago, I was always hesitant about the technology because advocates of the technology were always talking about using wood chips to fuel the reactors. 

Now we are talking peanut shells, pine cones, and even leaves and the charred materials can be usefully used to improve soils and composts. 

that's great.

regards
jacky

[Mel Landers]

Hi,

 

I will comment in bold between the questions below

Daniel Nagengast <nage...@earthlink.net> wrote:

Hello all,

To that end, I was thinking about already-collected materials in this
country (the U.S.), e.g., what you can find in forestry dumps.

I am curious as to whether anyone has experience with smoldering
forestry waste, especially fallen leaves, or smaller radial twigs?

 

Smoldering happens in the air. If you are talking about using a system such as is used for primitive production of charcoal, it would be too much work for what you would get. Materials such as twigs, leaves and other small biomass, need to be charred in closed system with the material compresed as much as possible.

 

This allows collection of the exhaust gasses for other uses, such as wood vinegar (a fermented liquid smoke that is a good fertilizer and pesticide) or bio-deisel.

Would one get a suitable charcoal product? How would you construct the

pile to get it lit, but still have it smolder in the absence of oxygen?

 

You get a usable charcoal from pyrolysis. The Kayapo burn various leaves and use the ash. That does not produce charred material however.

Would leaf charcoal have the characteristics you want?

 

Charred leaves should be beneficial to the production of dark earth soils. It is probably not persistant for thousands of years, but may be for hundreds of years. Research is needed in this and other areas.

 

Why does compost leaves give you humus, but no charcoal?

 

Aerobic composting, the fast type done in the presence of air, yields little humus. Most humus is produced during the slow decomposition done by abaerobes. Charcoal is produced when the material is heated with insuficient Oxygen to burn the Carbon. So, it needs to be produced seperately by pyrolysis.

 

I have imbedded the Humus document into this letter below. It might be useful for you to review it.

 

mel

 

Humus in Tropical and Subtropical Soils

 

 

Humus in Wet Tropical Environments

 

Wet land tropical forests appear to be growing on highly fertile soils. The

truth is that there is a thin layer of quickly decomposing organic matter

on the surface of otherwise low fertility soil. The warm, moist, highly

oxygenated environment on the forest floor of tropical forests, provides

optimum conditions for the fungi and bacteria which decompose the

layer of mulch that accumulates at the base of the trees.

 

Also present in this decomposing layer of organic matter are beneficial

organisms that quickly make the newly released nutrients available to the

tree roots. Nutrient cycling in such an environment takes place quickly.

The formation and deposition of humus is almost non-existent. This is

why newly cleared tropical forest cannot sustain production for more

than a few years. There is no humus to maintain fertility.

 

 

The Composition of Humus

 

Humus is an ill defined substance. It is known to be an essential component

of healthy soils. It improves the structure of soils, provides appropriate

habitats for beneficial micro-organisms and effectively stores energy and

nutrients for later use. It clumps sand particles and separates clay particles.

 

But, humus is so complex and varied, from one environment to another and

from one mix of plants to another, that it is impossible to establish an exact description of its composition. Even within the same plant community, the difference in maturity of the plants can alter the composition of humus.

 

Humus is composed of organic matter derived from plants and animals

through the decomposing actions of microbes. It's molecules come in many

forms and it is dark in color. It is also stable in comparison to other organic materials such as manure or compost, which are more prone to decomposition.

 

Although considered stable over long periods of time, humus is never

actually an end product. It continually changes its complex structure over

time. This applies more to newly formed humus than to that which has

existed for decades or centuries, however. That humus is quite stable.

 

In general, the longer it persists, the more stable it becomes. But, when

disturbed by tillage, broken by other mechanical action, exposed to solar

radiation or heat from fire or the sun, even old humus can be altered so

much that it can be utilized by the organisms responsible for decomposition.

 

 

 

 

 

Formation of Humus

 

Any given biomass is composed of various carbohydrate molecules. Some,

such as sugar, starch and some proteins, provide easily digested energy

sources for bacteria. Fungi can use these same substances as well as

cellulose and hemi cellulose for the same purpose.

 

Other organic compounds are not so easily decomposed. Fats, lignins and

waxes are much more resistant to decay. A large percentage of the

carbohydrate molecules in humus are made up of these components, not in

their original form, but altered by the decomposition process. Others are substances produced by the organisms themselves during decomposition.

 

Bacteria, in general, produce sticky substances that cause carbohydrate

molecules to clump together. But, it is mainly during the slow

decomposition, brought about by anaerobes, that these glue like

substances form the stable bonds that produce large quantities of humus.

 

 

The Effects of Farming Methods on Humus

 

Productive soils should have at least 5% organic matter content. This

should be composed of thousands of different bacteria and fungal

species, plant and animal tissues in various states of decomposition and

stable humus. Undisturbed soils, with plenty of decomposing organic

matter on the surface, normally provide a good environment for the

maintenance of soil organic matter, but not necessarily of humus.

 

Conventionally farmed soils are low in all three of these categories of

organic matter. Breaking apart the soil damages fungal mycelia,

earthworms and humus. Exposure to high concentrations of Oxygen

increases the rate of decomposition. Exposure to the heat and radiation

of the sun kills micro-organisms and further damages the structure of

humus, making it susceptible to decomposition by soil organisms.

 

Tillage also exposes the soil to erosion from rain and wind. This further

decreases the quantity of organisms, decomposing tissues and humus, as

it is washed or blown away. With soil erosion, the productive capacity of

the land is lost along with the potential wealth of those farming the land.

 

The use of concentrated fertilizers can further damage the organic matter

content of soils by speeding up decomposition, through the introduction of

large quantities of Nitrogen into the soil. These fertilizers also acidify the

soil and can kill necessary micro-organisms. The use of pesticides,

herbicides and fungicides can also kill large numbers of soil organisms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Humus in Tropical Soils

 

The warm temperatures and moist conditions of disturbed tropical and subtropical soils are not conducive to the production, accumulation or

persistence of humus in soils, especially in highly oxygenated sandy soils.

 

Under warm, humid, high Oxygen conditions, aerobic organisms quickly decompose organic matter. The bacteria and fungi which thrive in these

highly oxygenated, warm, humid conditions produce little humus. Fast

composting thoroughly decomposes the biomass and releases the mineral components, which are used as food by the decomposers.

 

Even without tilling the soil, humus does not accumulate in many tropical

and sub-tropical environments. At a certain combination of temperature,

Nitrogen level, Oxygen level and humidity, humus is not produced. So, it is especially unusual to find high levels of humus that has been stable for over

500 years in the midst of the Amazon Basin. The farmers who produced

these soils achieved something modern science has not been able to duplicate.

 

In order to produce substantial amounts of humus in tropical soils, there

must be some control over the temperature and Oxygen level in the soil.

This was apparently accomplished by these ancient farmers. They built

soils rich in both charcoal and humus. Both are important for conditioning

the soil, for storing nutrients and for supporting micro-organisms.

 

 

Producing Humus under Warm, Humid Conditions

 

Shading of the soil with a thick organic mulch or cover crop can

significantly lower the temperature. Burying organic matter well below

the surface of the soil can limit oxygen. Many bacteria that are classified

as anaerobes can also function in the presence of decreased amounts of

Oxygen, to produce humus.

 

It is hard to maintain organic matter content in any cropped soil. Perennial farming systems that require a high concentration of trees, such as shade

grown coffee or Cacao production, provide the proper model for maintaining adequate levels of soil organic matter in tropical soils. The key to

accomplishing this in other cropping systems is to alter their management to provide a similar environment at and, preferably, below the surface of the soil.

 

The use of mulched raised beds, built on the level, can prevent erosion and

provide a cool, moist, shaded environment with plenty of food for soil

organisms. This  farming system can significantly increase the amount of

organic matter contained in organisms and decomposing plant and animal

tissues. But, the highly oxygenated environment restricts the production of

stable humus in the soil.

 

 

 

 

 

Producing Dark Earth Soils

 

Thousands of years ago the Native American Farmers of the Lower Amazon

River Basin discovered a way of improving the structure of their soils and maintaining fertility, despite the high levels of precipitation in the region.

They accomplished this through the incorporation of charred organic matter

and through the production of large amounts of humus. They did this in an environment where humus is normally almost non-existent. We need to re-

discover their technology.

 

Burying organic matter below a layer of soil, thus reducing the

availability of Oxygen, should significantly increase the amount of humus

produced by aerobic organisms. Of course, the amount of Oxygen

reaching this layer depends on the nature of the soil itself; varying as a

result of the percentages of clay and sand.

 

A layer of organic matter that includes adequate Nitrogen, Carbon and

moisture, for a slow decomposition by anaerobic organisms, should

provide an environment in which nutrients are released, but are held in

place by organisms and by the humus they produce.

 

The addition of Charred biomass should significantly increase the ability of

the soil to retain nutrients in the root zone. Not all charred materials are the

same, however. Those produced from lignins are more persistent than those made

from hemi-cellulose, for instance. But, both should have the capacity for

behaving as Chelating agents. Finer particles should also provide more

surface for holding nutrients than would large chunks.

 

Another potential benefit from such a system is the Carbon sequestration that results from burying charred biomass within the soil. Incorporating charcoal, produced from waste products or from quick growing tree species, could lock away appreciable amounts of atmospheric Carbon, if done on a large scale.

 

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[Mel Landers]

Dan wrote: Thanks Mel.

 

My pleasure Dan. That is what I am here for.

 

I am thoroughly convinced that the dark earth soils will revolutionize agricultural production wherever they can be produced. I do not have the time or resources to do the research that needs to be done, just to increase the scale of production of these soils, much less to adapt them to other climates. It will take the efforts of large numbers of investigators to accomplish that.

 

It is producers, such as yourself, who will have to carry out most of this work. I can not forsee any petro-chemical firm paying the agricultural universities to do research that could put a big, fat hole in their market for fertilizers. And, they are the ones paying for current research and tying up the time of the professors, staff and students in the process.

 

The basic Native American method (which has also been used in other places) of using nulched, raised beds for production; could produce an agricultural revolution all by itself. But, for the richest soil, for the most valuable crops, dark earth soils are very important.

 

mel

Daniel Nagengast <nage...@earthlink.net> wrote:

Thanks Mel.

Dan

On Aug 20, 2007, at 11:09 AM, Mel Landers wrote:

> Hi,
>  
> I will comment in bold between the questions below
>

> Daniel Nagengast wrote:
Dan Nagengast
785-748-0959
785-748-0609fax
nage...@earthlink.net
www.kansasruralcenter.org