This biomass thermal/mechanical process can change the world! Backed by GOOGLE, BP, GE, Conoco...

Very exciting, Monte! Thanks a bunch ;) I think the major parts of this system are well known - C4 plants (as Pollan explained in 'Omnivore's Dilemma') and biochar. You've shown that an optimal plant can grow in Zone 5, as well as the test plot in Missouri ;) The unique element seems to be Cheiky's 'fractionator', with it's special catalysts. Well, he also mentions fungal biochar treatment, but I doubt it's that special.

This brings to mind the Max Planck Institute's 'thermal carbonization' catalysts - used to convert any carbonaceous material to pure carbon, which can be reduced to micro particles that can fuel cars. This happens under high pressure, with the said catalysts (maybe citric acid?), and heat.... but the process itself also generates heat.

And then there's MIT's Nocera's electroysis of water into oxygen and hydrogen, using electricity from sun/wind/etc, in ambient conditions, and also using special catalysts (see Sun Catalytix).

Is Cheiky's fuel oil or alcohol? I'm assuming an alcohol product would result in spent carbon material, miinus it's original sugar/starch constituents, ready for conversion to biochar.

Would this result in monoculture on steroids? If the soil and atmosphere are enhanced, would the only downside be displaced animal life? Hmmm....

Now the question is will Cheiky opensource his 'secret catalysts' ? Or will the investors become the owners of proprietary, patented catalysts (which will then be bought out by the big energy companies) ? I.e., will the usual 'free market' capitalist story play out...as the plutocrats have the financial wherewithall and political 'freedpom' to commoditize and maximize all possible profits to their continued enrichment?

Nancy,

Really appreciate your thoughtful input... All great points...

Would this result in monoculture on steroids? If the soil and atmosphere are enhanced, would the only downside be displaced animal life? Hmmm....

This troubles me also. I think that (for maximum benefit) planting of Giant Miscanthus or other biomass grasses should be done on sloping lands ("so called marginal land") in a Sepp Holzer Permaculture manor! We plan to try this on our farm with strips of Giant Miscanthus along with mutual beneficial species, thus maintaining a permaculture/polyculture where animal life flourishes... We will see... I know there will be economic pressure that push some to try the monoculture way, but lots of farmers know that is not best... ==> https://permies.com/t/13214/permaculture/Soil-Dirt-Lifeline-Fred-Kirschenmann

Just interesting who is sponsoring this technology...oil companies. The oil companies will always try to control the world through energy.

You are so right!

It troubles me also, because they then can control the price.

The good thing is that technology requires local implementation.

It will be a lot harder to hide the profits. Foreign wars and foreign countries will not influence the process as much.

The other good thing is that there are probably other efficient ways to achieve the same results.

If that results in an open source technology, we can achieve competitive pricing and a fair share to grower, plant worker, etc.

If they blaze the path and show it works, it shows what is achievable...

"Google ethics and integrity" so far has been better than oil companies and could be a positive influence.

Lot of if's, but I am enthused with what might be possible...

I agree!!!

This thermal/mechanical process would be a great candidate for open sourcing...

Open Source (P2P) Person to Person Technology is on the Rise!!!
https://permies.com/t/13235/meaningless-drivel/Person-Person-Open-Source-Technology#119600

My latest find at: http://hines.blogspot.com/2012/03/wikispeed-fuel-efficient-cars.html

Related:
http://opensourceecology.org/ - Open Source Ecology

Aren't Permies, PRI, etc. a form of P2P open source 'technology' sharing? ;) (btw, I wonder if miscanthus g. has been patented yet!)

Aren't Permies, PRI, etc. a form of P2P open source 'technology' sharing?

Yes, in an informal way...
I would say http://opensourceecology.org/ is formal open source 'technology' sharing...

(btw, I wonder if miscanthus g. has been patented yet!)

Of course universities/corporations/people are going to try to make money off of it and make it their own, just like they try to do with "wild rice" and everything else"...
See Google search "patented miscanthus" results: http://tinyurl.com/85slpj8

I don't think they can call "ours" patented because we got from an open source 4 years ago...
and it grows only by planting rhizomes...

Is there a how-to anyone knows of for backyard-scale biochar production? This is a bit of a stretch, but I'd like a trailer-sized biochar kiln that will take the 2'x3.5' pallets (untreated) that we end up throwing out for lack of space. I do use some for hugelkultur, but biochar lets me use more, and get more out of them. I was also wondering if anyone knows about the potential for using a kiln to turn human waste into biochar as a way to treat it for agricultural use. Would that make it safe for use on food plants?

-CK

Cool Planet - WeSolveforX - Update/Status Report (Oct 2012)


Serious money and expertise being invested!
Need to watch this...

Additional Info & Links:
http://hines.blogspot.com/2013/01/cool-planet-wesolveforx-updatestatus.html