So what is Hydrochar?

I started reading an article that said that biochar produces more nitrous oxide in the atmosphere than hydrochar. Then I thought, What the  &%$#*! is hydrochar?

Apparently, it's a real thing.  It has some of the same uses as biochar.  As you guessed, it uses moist organic matter.  



I'm not pretending that I really understand hydrochar. There are so many smart people on these forums that I'm sure people will help us get what it's about.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/hydrochar-real-world-5-uses-youll-actually-see-2025-boomingmarket-f9luf

Apparently, it's cooked like in a hot pot.  I will be interested to see how people make it and use it.  One advantage of hydrochar is that you don't have to dry the material.  Another is that it is more efficient in retaining the carbon as it's made.

There are real differences between biochar and hydrochar.

https://imgroupofresearchers.com/welcome-to-the-science-of-hydrochar/

John S
PDX OR

I was interested in making hydrochar when I first read about it until I read how high the pressure they were using was, something like 20 atm or more.  Still somewhat interested but just had me concerned about explosions.

Very interesting.
It seems like a great use for renewable energy, both as a way to store carbon and as a way to leverage abundant daytime solar to provide for night time  power usage.
Not a lot of details on what actually goes on inside one of the pressure vessels, or what is produced aside from the hydrochar.
Biochar production separates a variety of gasses from the char.
Usually the flammable ones are burned and the others simply released .
Some times people collect and condense the gasses into water,yard and wood vinegar

Does process of creating hydrochar produce similar leftovers?
Are they used to fuel the process?
I think the hydrochar might retain more hydrocarbons than biochar.

Looks like hobbyist are already making hydrochar at home:

I think that probably a lot of people who use pressure cookers to make mushroom spawn will easily be able to make hydrochar as well.  For others, it may be more difficult.
John S
PDX OR

The pressures involved in making hydrochar are much higher, 290 psi on the low end, than pressure cookers , generally 15 psi on the high end.
Water heaters are rated for 60psi, but steel pipe has very high pressure ratings(200-650), but low internal volume.

If hydrochar can be made at lower pressures while taking more time, that would be a useful tradeoff.

The high pressures are needed to get the water to a high enough temperature for the carbons to rearrange into the aromatic state.  Lower temperatures would require a better catalyst, but a quick search is showing catalysts for hydrochar taking the needed pressure down to 225 psi, so still concerning without the right equipment.

Great info about the available range of use.  Maybe someone will invent something.
John S
PDX OR

The major disadvantage is that it is energy and technology intensive and does not use itself as fuel. One of the benefits of biochar is that you need no extra energy, or technology, even if you do sacrifice some by leaving the carbon intact and not using the material as firewood.

Another thing is that cattail in particular has plenty of material uses aside from as char. It can be made into mats, into baskets, etc. and is excellent as a mattress when piled up thickly. Most of these material uses require it to be dried out. When it becomes too worn it can be used as mulch, compost, fuel, or even as biochar. Or pressure cook it if we so desire. It is good to consider what we can do with something before turning it into fuel or compost, something that I feel could be emphasized more.

I agree. I would rather use wood to grow mushrooms if I can.  Not always possible, though.
John S
PDX OR