What does a biochar consultant do? Biochar is a range of biomass-derived high-carbon content chars with very high surface area per unit weight that are used as soil amendments or as water/ground remediation agents. Biochar is the rediscovery of the Amazon indigenous peoples’ practice of burning the forest and incorporating the resulting char into previously poor soils to achieve long-term fertility. High-fertility US prairie soils may be a similar result of burning prairie grasses. Biochar is a rapidly growing business, driven by continuous demonstration of improvements in plant growth, resistance to drought, amendment of depleted and infertile soils, and removal of pollutants from water, wastewater, and contaminated soils. As this demonstration drives the US biochar market at 25 – 40 % CAGR, significant changes in the production, distribution, and marketing of biochar are occurring. The original pioneers of backyard biochar production are adapting to high-volume, carefully controlled biochar systems to support their growing markets.
Biochar is often promoted as ‘closing the loop’ on the use of a sustainable and renewable raw material. While activated carbon is traditionally made from coal and often must be landfilled when spent, used biochar may have enough fuel value to be burned. Biochar manufacturers are often interested in promoting their products in traditional activated carbon applications. To be successful, one must generate interest in evaluating biochar in areas such as oil and gas applications, wastewater, potable water, and aquarium water.
A biochar consultant is someone who has a significant background in this area, through education and/or experience. An expert in biochars has a wide range of expertise in the technologies and businesses concerning the production and upgrading, analysis, and field testing, of a range of biochars produced from renewable resources. The biochar expert would be someone with knowledge and experience with both products and their properties in order to meet an end user’s treatment needs. These experts may assist investors in selecting the right biochar technology & application experience, and in preparing due diligence/feasibility studies and loan/grant applications. The Biochar expert will advise on the suitability of existing biomass conversion plants as sources of marketable biochar. Alternatively, they may assist owners of existing operating biomass conversion facilities to determine the technical and commercial options for entering the biochar market. The biochar expert will also provide procedures development, training, and product quality management to assist biomass/biochar plant owners to make their plants run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. The biochar expert will advise on feedstock selection, plant growth trials, remediation studies, and the selection of appropriate biochar for a given application from the dozens available. The consultant may serve as an expert witness.
For more than 25 years, Lee Enterprises Consulting has been at the forefront of the bioeconomy. Our highly differentiated market position centers around our deep subject matter expertise in very specialized areas. We help clients minimize technical and economic risk by leveraging best practices in our industries, and we have a long track record of providing insightful analysis and practical advice. Our reputation is unparalleled because we provide a simplified process, with a single point of contact to a diverse international network of proven experts in biofuels, biomaterials, feedstocks, alternative proteins, and existing & emerging technologies. Providing access to over 150 world-renowned bioeconomy experts allows us to create tailored solutions to meet each project’s individual needs. Please take a look at our experts and the services we provide. Call us at 1+ (501) 833-8511 or email us for further information.
