Program Areas in the Center for Carbon Capture and Conversion

DEVELOPING NEW USES FOR WYOMING COAL

As part of the Carbon Engineering Initiative (CEI), the Center for Carbon Capture and Conversion (CCCC) has developed coal-derived soil amendments to provide a new, non-thermal and a potentially high-volume use for Wyoming coal. A soil amendment is any material added to the soil to improve its physical or chemical or biotic properties. Coal char as a soil amendment could increase soil water holding capacity, water infiltration, aeration and decrease soil bulk density to provide a better environment for plant roots.

Initial test results indicate coal char used as a soil amendment can promote increased crop yields, improve soil fertility and retain moisture in a sustainable way.

The research team is investigating the use of coal char produced from Powder River Basin (PRB) coal as a soil amendment and has been comparing its effects to conventional Wyoming agricultural practices to determine its viability as an agricultural product.


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    Initial Phase


    The initial phase of the project began in a greenhouse study. The greenhouse experiment examined plant growth and soil properties with both biochar and coal char in different soil types.

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    Field Study


    The field study at UW Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Center (SAREC) in Lingle involved mixing coal char with manure before application to the corn field.

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    Soil Samples


    The research team collected soil samples on the coal char and biochar plots to compare soil properties results with the no char control in Powell Research and Extension Center (PREC), Powell, WY. Long-term effects of coal char and biochar in soil health will be evaluated.

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    Coal Char


    Coal char is being applied in the reclamation and restoration of coal mined land near Gillette, WY. This long term study will involve monitoring plant establishment, plant growth and soil health.

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    Fertilizer Combinations


    The research team is investigating the optimal combination of fertilizers and coal char for plant growth and crop yield at UW’s Laramie Research and Extension Center (LREC) field, Laramie, WY.

 

 


What is Bio Char?

 

BioChar is produced from a pyrolysis of wide variety of biomass feedstocks, including wood and plant matter, food and agricultural waste products, and manure. The use of biochar is an industry standard practice in the agricultural sector to enhance crop yields & soil health. The concept of using biochar as a soil amendment was originated in Amazonian terra preta soils that are more fertile than the surrounding untreated soil.

What is Bio Char?

 

Pyrolyzed coal or coal char is a product of the fast pyrolysis process that involves rapidly subjecting coal to extremely high temperatures for very short period of time, in an inert or hydrogen rich environment. While liquids are produced, control of the process also produces ultra-high purity coal char that is highly porous and completely safe for the environment.