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Other Uses of Biochar
We know biochar is an exceptional soil amendment. But biochar can make a useful addition to concrete, anaerobic digestion, and much more.​​​
Biochar for Composting
Whether composting leaf litter, food scraps, manure, or anything else, the addition of biochar will accelerate the composting process, reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, and improve the nutrient profile of the finished compost.
Biochar supercharges microbial colonies, improving their efficiency, increasing their size, and diversifying their makeup. As a result, biochar-infused compost is uniquely rich in nutrients, organic matter, and beneficial microbes.
Biochar for Anaerobic Digestion
Adding biochar to anaerobic digestion processes boosts their biogas output and purity, significantly improving efficiency, and in commercial settings, profits.
Anaerobic digestion relies on microbial interactions not unlike composting, and the huge surface area and inherent electrochemical properties of biochar skyrocket microbial efficiency in an aqueous digestion setting. With biochar, biogas production happens quicker, yields are increased, and purity is high.
In the same way, fermentation processes can be made more efficient using biochar as a host substrate for yeasts.
Biochar for Animals
Biochar can be remarkably useful in the context of animals, most especially for livestock and animal husbandry. Biochar can be used to improve animal health and welfare while improving yields and reducing the environmental toll of livestock rearing.
When fed to livestock, biochar improves health and digestion, and almost unfailingly increases feed efficiency and mass gain; for cows, chickens, fish, and more. As a result, milk production, egg size, and in some cases, even meat quality are improved with a small amount of biochar in an animal's diet. Furthermore, methane emissions from cows can be somewhat reduced.
When used as bedding, biochar soaks up grime and purifies the animal's living space. When added to manure or slurry, biochar retains nutrients and improves their bioavailability, while preventing the release of greenhouse gases and other harmful air pollutants.
In many ways, biochar makes livestock rearing far more sustainable.
Biochar for Concrete
Biochar can be added to concrete as an admixture, improving strength and reducing the cement requirement. Biochar is a great option for low-carbon, or even carbon-negative concrete formulations.
The highly porous nature of biochar assists the formation of hydration products; the key crystalline formations which gives cement its high strength.
Biochar may be added to any cement-based composite, including mortar and bricks. There are likely many useful applications for biochar in construction, waiting to be developed.
Biochar for Art
Biochar can be used as a pigment or ink, and can be made into sticks or pencils for drawing, just like charcoal.
Geochar's Superfine Biochar works especially well for artistic purposes.
Biochar for Filtration
Biochar is an excellent filtration medium for purifying air and water. The high surface area and inherent electrochemistry of biochar allows it to sponge up contaminants such as heavy metals, fluoride, microplastics, and volatile organics.
The potential applications for filtration range from tap water filters, urban drainage systems, industrial effluent filtration, and more.
Biochar for Oil Spills
Biochar is highly effective at absorbing oil, making it a versatile oil-soaking agent.
Biochar produced at temperatures exceeding 600°C (like Geochar biochar) is somewhat non-polar, giving it absorption preference to oil over water. This property allows for the efficient absorbance of oil in drainage systems and ocean spills.
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