Flame curtain kilns produce biochar from dry biomass with minimal methane emissions

Abstract

Flame curtain kilns have emerged as the preferred biochar technology for smallholders but reported methane emissions (30 g kg−1 biochar) have impeded carbon certification. Here, for flame curtain kilns we show almost no methane (0–3.6 g kg−1 biochar) emissions for dry (<15 % moisture) feedstock consisting of twigs and leaves. Wet feedstock (>40 % moisture) however generated significant methane (>500 g kg−1 biochar), underscoring that feedstock preparation is decisive for the carbon balance. Even for dry feedstock, both aerosol and CO emissions were significant (21–82 and 40–118 g kg−1 biochar, respectively). The data demonstrate that certification of low-tech biochar made from dry twigs and leaves should not be objected to on the grounds of methane. Careful selection of feedstock and potential after-combustion of the syn-gases are probably needed to avoid CO and aerosol emissions. More data are needed on methane emissions of other dry feedstocks.