Frequently Asked
Questions
Can I buy a BiGchar machine?
Not necessarily. Profitable operation of a pyrolysis system requires
much more than just the core technology. For this reason BiG
generally prefers to operate in a negotiated joint venture or other
form of co-operation with existing businesses. Under these
arrangements the site host and BiG negotiate how the production site
establishment and operating costs, and resulting revenues, are
shared.
Generally the revenue streams are waste processing fees, sales of
biochar/charcoal based products and/or torrefied biomass, process
heat and electricity. For aid projects the "revenue" may be grant
payments linked to suitable project milestones.
A potential user of BiGchar technology needs to
pre-qualify by demonstrating sufficient financial resources and the
ability to source adequate feedstock and to obtain any necessary
environmental and council permits for the proposed operating site.
BiG may then design, supply, maintain and probably operate a
suitable mobile, relocatable or modular pyrolysis system. By
negotiation costs, responsibilities and benefits will be allocated.
Once the system has been bedded in and proven the opportunity may be
extended for the host business to purchase the system – or the
operation may continue as a joint enterprise.
Can I buy BiGchar and for how much?
BiG welcomes enquiries from consumers seeking biochar or charcoal in
quantities of a tonne or more and especially enquiries from
individuals or organisations seeking biochar for field research
trials. For production and safety reasons the char is delivered with
a moisture content of 25-50%.
Can I license the BiGchar technology?
BiG is willing to license its technology, but only outside of
Australia and to potential partners with a proven track record in
the biochar or agricultural industry. Please
contact us to discuss.
Can I invest in BiG?
BiG is open to consideration of equity investments, or investment in
projects that utilise the BiGchar technologies. In the latter
case BiG aims to develop projects with investor payback periods of
less than three years. Please contact us if you wish to explore
these options
Can I buy plans and build my own BiGchar unit?
As an individual, no. It is necessary to
ensure that users are properly trained and supported and that the
technology is used responsibly and with respect for its patent and
IP.
Is BiGchar activated carbon?
No. An activation step is required and the feedstock needs to be
suitable. BiG can offer a supplementary steam activation process to
produce activated carbon from suitable feedstock (such as bamboo or
nut shells). Please contact us to discuss.
Isn’t slow pyrolysis recommended for biochar?
We describe our process as fast pyrolysis, although technically it
sits somewhere between slow and fast pyrolysis. More importantly our
process emulates the processes by which charcoal is generated in
nature. This means the resulting char has characteristics that many
plants and microbes evolved to take advantage of. In contrast chars
from synthetic processes can result in chemical residues and
structures that are somewhat alien to natural soil environments.
The char from BiG’s pyrolysis conditions has different
characteristics to that from slow pyrolysis, but this does not
detract from its use as a soil improver. The results from
independent
trials speak for themselves.
Aren’t the char yields lower for fast pyrolysis
Generally
yes, however it appears that plants growing in high yield chars
generally will not perform as well as those in BIGchar. High yield
is good for fuel charcoal, but not so great in terms of Biochar
performance. Independent analysis indicates that our chars have more
than double the adsorption of typical high yield chars. BIGchar
systems are very adaptable, so it is quite possible to configure for
high yield when aiming for torrefied fuel or fuel charcoal
applications.
The
other key factor is productivity. The BiGchar process will produce
typically 2 to 5 times more char per unit of labour and machine cost
than indirectly heated continuous retorts and as much as 10 times
more than most batch retort systems. When you combine both of these
considerations in a life cycle analysis, the BiGchar technology has
lower inputs per unit of charcoal activity of anything else we know
of.
Does charcoal production threaten native forests and take land
away from food crops?
BiGchar provides the means to return valuable carbon and nutrients
to the soil in a sustainable manner.
Are the off-gases from the charcoal process utilised?
BiGchar mobile units use some of the off-gases to run the process
and the rest are burnt off cleanly. In the case of fixed site
applications, it is typically possible to make use of the off-gases
to generate additional useful heat, to possibly run engines and to
generate electricity. Please contact BiG to discuss the pros and
cons of using heat or gas for electricity cogeneration in particular
situations.
Emissions?
We have confirmed
through emissions testing that the native emissions from the BIGchar
process are inherently low without any additional emissions
controls. In fact BiG has received unofficial advice is that in many
jurisdictions units up to our 2200 size may fall below the threshold
to require emissions licencing.
The
regulatory requirements vary greatly by location and application, as
does the emissions performance with feedstock, so the exact
requirements are determined on a case by case basis. |