Jim Highfill

Good information.  Thanks.

I am looking for information on charging, inoculating the biochar after it has been produced.  I plan to produce a large quantity of biochar for the soil.

I really appreciate all of these helpful and informative comments.

Phil, the information you have on temperatures required is not what I have been told.  My understanding is that you can pyrolize at 650 to 750 degrees F 3 1/2 hours; or you can cook at 350 degrees F for 6 1/2 or 7 hours.  The longer time at lower temperature produces higher quality biochar.  According to the conversion calculator, 450C equals 842F, which is super hot, and I think would be unlikely to produce high quality biochar.  If I am wrong then please give me the information, hopefully along with some sources I can read.  With all of the trouble I will be going through, I want to make sure I do it right.  Thanks.

Thanks for all of the helpful comments.  

I am not sure if a fresnel would work for my project, as it may not be large enough for what I am trying to do.

Ultimately I do plan to burn the methane from outgassing and use it to produce more charcoal. I am not sure if it would be worth it.  Question:  If I produce 40 gallons of charcoal, how much charcoal could I then produce from the methane left over?  Another 40 gallons?  20?  10?  5?  If it’s not enough, a person might as just as well burn off the methane.

The temperature I am talking about is the standard, commonly used Farhrenheit, used by the weatherman and body temperature, e.g. 96 degrees Fahrenheit.

I honestly don’t think a 50 gallon drum would require a reflector the size of a building.  Maybe several feet on each side.  If you have any information that I am wrong, please let me know.  

I am interested in building a solar kiln to use pyrolysis to bake wood into charcoal.  I want to use a container, possibly a 48-gallon drum, and concentrate solar energy onto the drum.  I would need to be able to control the temperature, ultimately with a thermostat.  I am thinking of placing the drum into a large reflective-metal curved depression.  I need to know how much sheeting, I would need, in relation to the drum, in order to maintain a temperature of 600 to 700-plus degrees.  Is there anyone who can advise or help me with this?  Looking for a design.