Agriculture can make a significant contribution to carbon storage and thus against climate change. Agricultural land can represent enormous carbon sinks through the build-up of biomass or respectively humus. But the application of biochar also promotes long-term carbon buildup in the soil in particular. For this carbon storage, farmers can earn revenue through certificates. This is referred to as carbon farming.
Within the framework of Soil Modeling Studies, we investigate the carbon build-up in soils. One focus is the use of biochar. Field tests and modeling software (C++, R, Pyton) enable us to make quantifiable statements. This is the basis for our Carbon Farming Consulting to support farmers in having a positive impact on the climate by storing carbon and generating additional revenues. This is accompanied by a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment. In addition, clients are trained on carbon build-up measures, such as the use of biochar.
2nd Generation Carbons are obtained from the thermochemical conversion of carbon containing residues. By adding heat and excluding oxygen, the volatile components are expelled and the carbon content is significantly increased. This carbonaceous product is then further treated to perform specific functions. Thus, 2nd Generation Carbon can be used to recover nutrients and produce fertilizers from them, remove soil contaminants but also create functionalized materials.
We develop solutions for the conversion of your residual materials into carbonaceous materials. To this end, we carry out tests using Thermo-Catalytic Reforming (TCR®) developed by Fraunhofer. However, we can also test alternative conversion technologies on request. Both the feedstocks and the products are subjected to comprehensive analysis to assess their quality. We then develop new functionalized composite materials - 2nd Generation Carbon - based on these carbon intermediates for the uptake of nutrients (P and N) from wastewater and the removal of contaminants from soils. Similarly, biogenic carbonaceous materials are being tested as soil improvers and for their ability to store carbon. Here, there is a link to the Soil Modeling Studies. Appropriate research equipment is available for carrying out the tests.
By using residual materials as feedstock, low-cost carbonaceous materials can be produced. These can be biogenic and fossil residues as well as waste. Depending on their origin and properties, they can be used for industrial or agricultural applications.
Thermochemical conversion processes are an essential step in the process chain for the recycling of plastics, e-scrap and composite materials, as well as the production of green chemicals and advanced fuels from biomass. Especially when the feedstocks are a mixture or contain impurities. Two technology platforms - Thermo-Catalytic Reforming(TCR®) and intelligent Composite Recycling (iCycle®) have been developed by Fraunhofer UMSICHT for these application areas. Both processes generate the intermediate products gas, oil and char. The high quality of products enables a high-quality application. Hydrogen can be separated from the gas as a product. The oil serves as a feedstock for green fuels and chemicals. The char can be used for further processing into 2nd generation carbon.
We develop new and optimize existing processes for thermochemical conversion of a broad range of feedstocks. In order to obtain initial data on your feedstocks, we can carry out test trials even on a small scale (2 kg/h). Mass and energy balances for the process design can be derived from this. In addition, tests on a larger scale (30 - 500 kg/h) are possible to verify an upscaling of the processes for your feedstock too. The feedstocks as well as the products will be analyzed extensively to evaluate the qualities and especially the possible applications for the products. An appropriate research infrastructure is available for the downstream processing of the oils from any kind of thermochemical conversion process. This enables hydrogenation and distillation also on a pilot scale. We also develop, engineer, and build pilot plants for thermochemical conversion, which customers can use to conduct their own test runs. This also includes training of their personnel on the respective plants.