Technical University of Crete (TUC) is leading Pilot 7 (Chania, Crete). This WaysTUP’s pilot is using as feedstock sewage sludge to produce biochar.
Wood chips and pruning are used as bulking agents that are combined with the dewatered sludge to produce biochar through slow pyrolysis. Excess heat and gas emissions produced by the biochar unit will be recirculated to the drying unit, equipped with an air pollution treatment unit (Venturi scrubber).
The Venturi scrubber produces a concentrate rich in nutrients and micro-nutrients (Pirolenheso). The concentrate once diluted 1:100, can be used for nutrient addition to plants together with irrigation. At the same time, the end-product of pyrolysis, the biochar, is used as soil improving and fertilizing material in agriculture.
Check out TUC on the job and their greenhouse where they are cultivating tomatoes using the biochar they produce…