Biochar
We are currently working on creating biochars from various biomass waste sources including food waste. We are interested in understanding the pyrolysis process that creates the biochar. Some questions we are looking into:
-The heat of reaction so better models could be used to evalute biochar as a carbon removal method
-Small scale reactor design including using solar energy to power the pyrolysis process
-Emissions from the pyrolysis process from small scale reactors
-Activated carbons for carbon dioxide adsorption
Some of the biowastes we have used to make biochar include nut shells, waste wood, and corncobs, but also NYC specific wastes like coffee grinds and spent grain from breweries.
Here is a video of Derek and Delphine showing their leaching process to study the impact of removing inorganics on biochar reactivity.