BioCarbon

 

BioCarbon

BioCarbon is nothing but the carbon is comprised of natural renewable ( Organic Sources). Biocarbon is often called charcoal and is as such familiar to most people, as it is frequently used for cooking and barbequing. Biocarbon is a blend of biochar and premium organics that is researched to be the best product out on the market. It is a natural and sustainable product and helps trees thrive by improving the efficiency of the soil. Additionally, when buried in the soil and used as a soil enhances, the product actually becomes "Carbon-Negative". This can help combat global climate change by displacing fossil fuel use and by sequestering carbon in stable soil carbon pools. This process will not only improve the health of the trees, but also the overall environment. Before further matter on biocarbon. Brush up the classification of biomass for our references.

 

Biomass Classification

Virgin Biomass : This biomass includes all naturally occurring terrestrial plants such as trees, bushes and grass.

Waste Biomass : This is produced as a low value byproduct of various industrial sectors such as Agriculture (Corn stover, sugarcane bagasse , straw, etc.) and forestry (saw mill and paper mill discards)

Energy Crops : This crops are generally with high yield of biomass produces to serve as a raw material for production of second generation biofuel (eg: elephant grass)

How Bio carbon is made 

Biocarbon results from a thermal conversion process in which the virgin biomass (eq. wood is heated to certain temperature, losing a major part of its volatile content, hence increasing the carbon content. The thermal treatment results in a product that has lost the fibrous structure of the virgin biomass and which can be directly used as a reductant in metallurgical industry or for cooking and barbecuing, it can be easily and energy efficiently crushed to powder and if wished for further compressed into briquettes or pellets.

Biocarbon is not the same as torrefied material. Torrefaction is a lower temperature thermal process with the aim of upgrading a virgin biomass to a torrefied material, which also can be easily crushed to powder and turn into pellets. These pellets can be transported over long distances for the large scale co-firing plants with economical rate. It also replace coal  and used in powder burners

Hence carbon is more refined and versatile product than torrefied material, with the best fuel qualities that a biomass based solid fuel can have many possible alternative cases.

Biocarbon comparison with Fossil carbon

* Biocarbon is stored in plants, trees, soils and ocean meanwhile fossil carbon present in fossil fuels. 

* Biocarbon has less Nitrogen, Sulfur and metal effects

* Burning both carbon, Fossil carbon tends to more carbon emission rather than biocarbon. Since ,       biocarbon is comprised of renewable source, the emission will not impact the global climate crisis.

* Biocarbon used as Fuel

    (i) peak load fuel in existing bioenergy plants

    (ii) substitute fuel for boilers

    (iii) quality fuel for high efficiency and low emission scale heating appliance and in general for abating operational problems in bioenergy plants.

Key uses

* Permanently improves water holding capacity (a cubic yard of the product holds 150 gallons of water without swelling)

* Decreases leaching of nutrients

* Reduces the use of fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals

* Decreases pollutants

* Creates a lasting home for beneficial microbes

* Great ability to remove salts from the soil

The use of biocarbon technologies and practices is seen and as a promising approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combusting climate change. By increasing the amount of carbon stored in living organisms and soils. Biocarbon can help to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, thereby mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Net Zero

 Net Zero

Net zero is a term used to describe the balance between greenhouse gas emissions and their removal from the atmosphere. Achieving net zero emissions is crucial to limit the effects of climate change and keep global temperatures from rising above 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, as outlined in the Paris Agreement.

To reach net zero emissions, countries, businesses, and individuals must reduce their greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible and offset any remaining emissions through various means such as carbon capture and storage, reforestation, or investing in renewable energy projects.

Net zero emissions can be achieved through a variety of strategies, such as energy efficiency, electrification of transportation and buildings, decarbonization of the electricity sector, and transitioning to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal.

The need for net zero

Climate change is a global crisis that poses significant risks to human health, the economy, and the environment. Rising temperatures, sea level rise, extreme weather events, and other effects of climate change threaten to destabilize ecosystems and disrupt communities.

To address these challenges, the global community must rapidly transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. Achieving net zero emissions is a crucial step in this process, as it is the only way to limit the most severe impacts of climate change.

The path towards net zero

The path to net zero emissions involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible through a variety of strategies, including

Energy efficiency: Energy efficiency measures such as insulation, efficient lighting, and efficient appliances can help reduce energy consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Electrification of transportation and buildings: Electrifying transportation and buildings through the use of electric vehicles and heat pumps can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing fossil fuels with clean electricity.

Decarbonization of the electricity sector: Transitioning to renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and geothermal can decarbonize the electricity sector and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Carbon capture and storage: Carbon capture and storage technologies can capture carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes and store them underground, preventing them from entering the atmosphere.

Afforestation and reforestation: Planting trees and restoring forests can help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in biomass.

Offset programs: Offsets can be used to compensate for remaining emissions that cannot be eliminated through other means. Offsets include carbon credits from renewable energy projects, reforestation, and carbon capture and storage.

Challenges to achieving net zero

Achieving net zero emissions is a complex and challenging process that requires significant changes in the way we produce and consume energy. Some of the challenges to achieving net zero emissions include:

Cost: Transitioning to a low-carbon economy requires significant investment in renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, and other technologies. The cost of these investments can be a barrier for many countries and businesses.

Infrastructure: Building the infrastructure needed to support a low-carbon economy, such as renewable energy facilities, electric vehicle charging stations, and carbon capture and storage facilities, requires significant investment and planning.

Policy: Government policies play a crucial role in facilitating the transition to a low-carbon economy. Policies such as carbon pricing, renewable energy mandates, and energy efficiency standards can help drive the transition to net zero emissions.

Technology: Developing and deploying new technologies such as carbon capture and storage, advanced nuclear power, and low-carbon transportation is crucial to achieving net zero emissions. However, these technologies are still in the early stages of development and may face technological, regulatory, and financial barriers to deployment.

Benefits of Net zero

Climate stability: The primary benefit of achieving net zero emissions is the stabilization of the Earth's climate. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, we can avoid the worst impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events, sea level rise, and loss of biodiversity.

Improved air quality: Transitioning to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar can help reduce air pollution, which is a major public health concern. Fossil fuels are a significant source of air pollution, and transitioning away from them can improve air quality and reduce respiratory illnesses.

Job creation: The transition to a low-carbon economy can create new job opportunities in industries such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and green transportation. These industries are expected to grow significantly in the coming decades, creating new employment opportunities for people around the world.

Energy security: Relying on renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and geothermal can help increase energy security by reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Renewable energy sources are more distributed and can be harnessed almost anywhere, reducing the risk of supply disruptions.

Economic benefits: The transition to a low-carbon economy can provide significant economic benefits, including cost savings from energy efficiency measures, job creation, and increased investment in renewable energy and other low-carbon technologies.

Improved health outcomes: By reducing air pollution and promoting active transportation options such as walking and cycling, the transition to a low-carbon economy can improve public health outcomes and reduce the incidence of chronic diseases.

Ocean Acidification

 

Ocean and its pH level

The ocean is the body of salt water that covers approximately 70.8% of the surface of Earth and contains 97% of earth's water. The overall pH of the ocean is 8.1 which is basic or alkaline in nature. According to pH scale ,the pH number less than 7 is acidic and the pH number greater than 7 is basic in nature. 

Ocean Acidification

Ocean acidification is the process by which a massive amount of carbon dioxide is absorbed by the ocean which reduces the water’s pH levels, thus making it more acidic in the process. Ocean acidification reduces the amount of carbonate which is necessary for the maintenance of seawater. The ocean acidification makes it difficult for marine animals such as planktons and corlas to form shells and skeletons, thus affecting the marine food web to a great extent.

Due to climate change, the ocean is absorbing more carbon dioxide than ever and when this happens it dissolves and reacts with water creating carbonic acid. Nearly 30% of the overall carbon emission will be stored in the ocean since it cover 70% of the total body. In 2021 we had emitted 37.12 billion tons of carbon into the atmosphere in that 11.14 billion ton was captured only by ocean. The Ocean is a carbon sink , which means that it absorbs more carbon than it releases 25% of human released carbon dioxide is absorbed by the ocean Aquatic organisms turns them to calcium carbonate- when the aquatic organisms die, their bodies decay and release the carbon which sinks into the deep ocean where it is stored for million of years. Some carbon stays as gas, it dissolves and sinks down. It may travel around the glove in the deep sea but it eventually rises, release the carbon di oxide.

Over time this can cause our oceans incredibly acidic. According to survey if this carbon emission continuous, In the year 2100 all aquatic animals and marine plants will be corroded via the acids. There are nearly 2,30,000 species in the ocean, this was just we found . Scientists estimated that there are 2 million more species yet to discover. For sharks , whales and some other gigantic animals the skin is hard, although it will go extinct. Marine species will not adapt the scenario. This is happened several million years back , there were Mass extinction begins.

Once the ocean acidified, then slowly corrosion and erosion of building will occur in land. The hurricane will be more powerful. During the flood, we may have the chance to visualize stagnant acids in front of our house. Even there are more possible for the Acid rain. If acid becomes more acidity day by day , then the ground surface gets broken and steam of acids comes from the ground. Due to inexistent of marine species, human food chain might affected. 

Impact on species

Ocean acidification is already impacting many ocean species, especially organisms like oysters and corals that make hard shells and skeletons by combining calcium and carbonate from seawater. However, as ocean acidification increases, available carbonate ions (CO32-) bond with excess hydrogen, resulting in fewer carbonate ions available for calcifying organisms to build and maintain their shells, skeletons, and other calcium carbonate structures. If the pH gets too low, shells and skeletons can even begin to dissolve.

Changes in ocean chemistry can affect the behavior of non-calcifying organisms as well. The ability of some fish, like clownfish, to detect predators is decreased in more acidic waters. Studies have shown that decreased pH levels also affect the ability of larval clown fishoffsite link to locate suitable habitat. When these organisms are at risk, the entire food web may also be at risk.

While some species will be harmed by ocean acidification, algae and seagrasses may benefit from higher CO2 conditions in the ocean, as they require CO2 for photosynthesis just like plants on land.

Carbon Sink

Carbon Sink

A carbon sink is a process or a reservoir that absorbs and stores carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The primary aim of carbon sinks is to mitigate the effects of human-made carbon emissions on the Earth's climate. Carbon sinks play an important role in the global carbon cycle, which involves the exchange of carbon dioxide between the atmosphere, oceans, and the land.

Types of carbon sinks

Natural carbon sinks include oceans, forests, and soil. Oceans play a significant role in the global carbon cycle, as they are estimated to absorb about 25-30% of the carbon dioxide produced by human activities. Forests, on the other hand, are estimated to absorb and store about two billion tons of carbon dioxide per year. Soil also serves as a carbon sink, although the extent of this sink is less well understood. Soil, ocean and forests are the most absorbing factor for carbon sink in the world.

Soil absorbs around 25% of all carbon emissions each year. A large portion of this is stored in peatland or permafrost. Peatlands are a type of wetland that occur in almost every country worldwide. They cover only 3% of Earth's landmass, but store vast amounts of carbon twice as much as the world's forests.

Oceans are the main carbon sinks, absorbing up to 50% of CO2. Plankton, Coral, algae and fish are responsible for this capture. Phytoplankton are responsible for absorbing 25% of all carbon emissions. These microscopic marine algae and bacteria absorb as much carbon as all the trees and plants on land combined.

The world's forests absorb 2.6 billion tones of CO2 each year. Forests and plants grab carbon from the atmosphere to use in photosynthesis. Some of this carbon is transferred to soil when plants die and decompose.

Artificial carbon sinks are man-made structures that are designed to absorb and store carbon dioxide. For example, carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is a form of artificial carbon sink. CCS involves capturing the carbon dioxide emissions from power plants or industrial processes and storing it in underground reservoirs. Another example of an artificial carbon sink is reforestation or the planting of new forests, which can absorb and store large amounts of carbon dioxide. For More about CCS Technology , Refer here .

Carbon sinks play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of climate change. By absorbing and storing carbon dioxide, they reduce the amount of this gas in the atmosphere, which is the main driver of global warming. However, the effectiveness of carbon sinks in reducing global carbon emissions is limited. For example, while forests can absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide, they also release carbon dioxide through processes such as decay, wildfires, and deforestation. Moreover, the capacity of carbon sinks to absorb and store carbon dioxide is finite, and as the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increase, the ability of carbon sinks to absorb and store this gas decreases.

In conclusion, carbon sinks play an important role in mitigating the effects of human-made carbon emissions on the Earth's climate. While they can effectively reduce the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, their effectiveness is limited, and their ability to absorb and store carbon dioxide decreases as atmospheric levels increase. Thus, it is important to find alternative methods to reduce carbon emissions and limit the impacts of climate change.

Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage

 Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage 

Carbon capture Utilization and storage (CCUS) is an attempt to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere after burning gas, oil, coal or biomass. The technology can capture the carbon and use it wisely whenever there are important ways to do so. This technology could play a diverse role in meeting global energy and climate goals.

Why carbon needs to stored ?

Carbon emissions have continued to grow at an average of 1 to 2% per year over the past 81 years. If this trend continues into 2050, we will reach a point where our emitted carbon has reached 60 billion metric tons. Across all these years, the carbon emission ranged from 4.25 billion tons to 37.12 billion tons—which is 873.5% in total! Can you imagine living without oxygen? The world would be filled with only Carbon Dioxide gas evolving around us - lots of environmental pollution, along with unpredictable climate changes and natural disasters could occur as a result。

To achieve a more stable and healthy environment, the United Nations has enacted several policies designed to reduce carbon emissions. These agreements were signed in Paris at the end of 2015, with the goal of bringing atmospheric levels of CO2 down to zero by 2050. This is known as "Net Zero" energy production - meaning that we would generate as much renewable energy as needed to offset our own emissions every year. It's an ambitious but achievable goal!

Are we stick with our goals and moving towards it ? Might be Yes ! Might be No !. We will discuss this in our upcoming articles.

Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage

Various Industries uses various technologies to capture the carbon. But the Foremost and commonly used technics are only two they are ,

• Point Source Carbon Capture
• Direct Air Capture

Point source carbon capture

Point source carbon capture is the process of capturing CO2 emissions before they are released into the atmosphere. It is a pre-emissive technology , that is the carbon is captured before the emission. The Flue gas is harnessed from the Factory chimney, its between 100-165 degrees. Since the temperature is very high it needs to be cool down to 30 degrees. This process happens in a direct contact cooler, the temperature is reduced and Caustic soda (NaOH) is added to remove sulfur dioxide and hydrochloric acid from the flue gas and the cooled flue gas then goes to the bottom of the absorber. Then the solvent is injected in the other side of the absorber. The CO2 molecules in the flue gas react with solvent. The solvent which use for carbon capture is Mono ethanol amine(MEA). Mono ethanol amine has the tendency to combine with carbon , that is the carbon is easily attracted and combines with Mono ethanol amine. The rest of the flue gas without the content of CO2 it again pass back to the chimney. This MEA and CO2 combination is termed as rich amine solution, consists of only carbon and MEA. Then this rich amine is pumped into a desorber where the mixture is heated to about 120 degrees .This thermal cracking breaks the bond between the MEA and CO2. Then the CO2 is compressed for utilization and storage.

pictorial representation of point source carbon capture

Direct Air Capture(DAC)

Direct Air Capture is  a technology that uses the chemical reaction to pull carbon dioxide out of the air. It is a post-emissive technology that is the carbon is captured after the emission process. The key advantage of this technology is it can be placed anywhere, irrespective of industries. If some area is highly polluted we can simply place this technology there. It is not mandatory to place this technology in nearby Industries.

Big Fans are used to suck large amount of polluted air directly out of the atmosphere. Behind the fan, the carbon absorbent material is placed to absorb the carbon. In DAC, PVC sheets are used to absorb the carbon. PVC sheets acts as a filter too. Every single surface inside the stack is wetted with carbon dioxide absorbing solution. In most cases, Amine solution is used. Air containing CO2 flows over the surfaces and when CO2 molecules encounter the liquid then converted into carbonate. The Geometry of the packing material ensures that much of the liquid is possible is exposed to the passing air. It also disturbs the flow creating turbulence , so most of the air streaming through actually makes contact with the solution. The net result, the Carbon dioxide is trapped in solution for further processing.

        Scenarios behind the fan

                  pictorial representation of direct air capture

Storage and Utilization

When comes to storage , both Point source method and Direct Air capture method stores in a similar way. The Captured CO2 is sent to the reservoir/ sea beds through pipelines, it can be stored for several years and after that time period these CO2 gas converts into minerals. This is where the CO2 is well utilized.

In order to produce synthetic fuels, captured carbon must be stored in special equipment. Once this carbon is captured, it can then be used in food processing or combined with hydrogen to create synthetic fuel. In a transition towards net-zero emissions, the use of CO2 for producing synthetic fuel will increasingly require capture from sustainable bioenergy sources or from the atmosphere. In Industry applications, Captured CO2 is used as an enhanced oil recovery method



Do you ever wonder why carbon is the most important factor for climate change? After all, oxygen and nitrogen make up nearly 99% of the atmosphere. So why are these two elements not considered as important when it comes to climate change?

 Click here to find the answers

Why Carbon is important for Stable Environment ?

Carbon Cycle : 

The carbon cycle is a term for the biological process by which carbon moves from one form to another in Earth's atmosphere. Humans and animals inhale oxygen, but trees inhale carbon dioxide. Thus, all plants, humans and animals are part of this cycle.

Carbon dioxide: 

                         Carbon dioxide is an important gas for life on Earth. It is essential to maintaining a protective blanket around the planet (the Earth's atmosphere).

So why carbon dioxide is important to earth's atmosphere?

The key parameter is Carbon dioxide is one of the primary green house gases on Earth. Before going on to the topic we shall have a short discussion about green house gas.

Green house gases are gases in the earth's atmosphere that traps heat. As we know the earth is located at a distance of 150 million km (approx.) from the sun. The earth naturally have a protective layer which acts as shield outside the surface. This layer is termed as ozone layer that acts as shield outside its surface. This layer protects us from harmful ultraviolet rays from space and cosmic rays within our solar system. If this protective layer gets destroyed due to increased amounts of solar radiation reaching Earth. This sun rays will have  a direct impact on Earth . Some of the examples are the rays can directly affect the human and these rays are responsible to decrease the human Immune system and there might be a high probability of increasing Cancer  in humans . These rays can affect the environment by melting the glaciers. So then there will be increase in Sea level and starts with climate change. These are only few examples. The atmosphere contains several different types of greenhouse gases, including water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and ozone (O3). These gases absorb infrared radiation emitted by Earth's surface and re-radiate it at longer wavelengths than would be possible for them if exposed to vacuum; this is what makes CO2 a greenhouse gas. 

These are the fundamentals about our mother earth and green house gas effects.

So why Carbon ?

Carbon dioxide is one of the most important greenhouse gases on Earth. The atmosphere contains many other gases besides carbon dioxide, but it accounts for only about 0.039 percent of the total mass of air in our planet's atmosphere.

                                                        

                         All materials on the planet are composed of carbon . Even in human bodies, DNA and proteins are long, basically infinite polymers based on carbon. Fats and sugars are based on carbon. Most molecules cells use to communicate with each other are based on carbon. The most important molecule in cells is glucose, and most of the signaling that goes on between cells occurs via organic molecules called hormones that are made from glucose.

Carbon, the second most abundant element in the universe and first major component of living organisms, can be divided into three pure materials: graphite, coal and diamonds. These materials have an impact on human life in a variety of ways. Graphite is used in pencil leads, lubricants and polishes, lamps and batteries as well as in electric motors and some electronic devices. Coal is the main source of thermal power plants; thus electricity we use is indirect from these plants. Diamonds are used for jewelry but also for scientific research because their hardness makes them ideal for cutting and polishing equipment. Even though all three purest carbons are not alive, human usage with these materials is very high due to their variety of uses.

Carbon has a natural affinity for forming bonds with a wide variety of elements. In this drug (Furosemide), carbon is connected to other carbons, oxygen, chlorine, nitrous oxide and sulfur. Furosemide is a medical drug which is used to treat fluid build-up due to heart failure, liver scarring, or kidney disease. It may also be used for the treatment of high blood pressure.

a. Furosemide Structure (Carbon composition)

                                    

Carbon can also bond in different ways as 

1. Stable

2. Reactive

3. Tetrahedral

4. Rings

5. Chair

                          

                                                             b. Carbon bonding types 

Carbon, in its natural form, is a very light and malleable material. Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane are important contributors to the greenhouse effect because they can trap heat from the sun.

Why Carbon ? Why not Oxygen or Nitrogen ?: 

Did you realize why carbon is the most important factor for climate change, given the fact that oxygen and nitrogen play a much lesser role? 

Apart from all the gases, only Greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide) can absorb heat radiating from earth's surface and release in all directions - which includes back towards earth surface. Without carbon dioxide earth's natural green house effect would be too weak to keep the Average global surface temperature above freezing. By adding more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, peoples are supercharging the natural green house effect, causing global temperature to rise. According to the observation of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) global monitoring lab, in 2021 Carbon dioxide alone was responsible for above two thirds of total heating influence of all human-produced green house gases. 

Another reason carbon dioxide is important in Earth's system is that it dissolves into the ocean like the Fizz in a can of soda . It reacts with water molecules, producing carbonic acid which lowers the ocean pH level and results in Ocean Acidification.

 

The data was collected and monitored for last 100 years from the above graph and as per the Global Carbon report, in 2022 the carbon emission is 37.5 billion tones from all over the world. It is one percent more than 2021. The conclusion from these facts that whenever there is high emission of Carbon it directly proportional to increase in Global temperature rise.  So, the carbon play is very high important to environment.