Summary

The new technology combines a soil pit with a metal combustion hood, designed to function as a “cover” for soil pits, a so-called “Hooded Kiln”. Each village will receive one unit, allowing multiple pits to be used to process agricultural waste into high quality Biochar.

The closed system includes a tall exhaust pipe that optimizes oxygen flow and reduces smoke leakage, while feedstock intake holes ensure a safe distance from the flame. This design minimizes wind exposure and eliminates the risk of surrounding materials catching fire due to sparks, significantly improving operator safety. Additionally, the enclosed system maintains consistent temperatures around 700°C, which is expected to yield biochar with higher carbon content.

Initial testing conducted in November 2024, in collaboration with the Ithaka Institute, showcased the new technology’s ability to significantly reduce methane emissions. Studies by the Ithaka Institute show that Hooded Kilns produce less than half the methane emissions of traditional soil pits. Additionally, Hooded Kilns improve operational safety, biochar yield, and carbon retention, making them a more sustainable and efficient alternative for biochar production. The project utilizes locally available agricultural waste, such as corn cobs, cassava sticks, and soybean stalks, which are often burned or left to decay. Farmers convert this biomass into biochar, which is then mixed with manure or compost for free soil application, creating a circular farming model.

The project places a strong emphasis on gender equality and social empowerment. Women are given key roles in biochar production and supervisory positions, with direct payments facilitated through mobile platforms to ensure economic autonomy. This approach addresses prevalent gender inequalities, ensuring that women’s earnings are used responsibly for community benefits. Additionally, the project strengthens the local economy by creating new income streams for farmers and fostering skill development through training programs.

The project is currently in the roll out phase, and it has the potential to deliver 15,000 CO2eq per year, scale up is possible depending on annual mutual agreement with the project partner, under a 10-year crediting framework. Future plans also include the potential integration of a heat recovery system and the implementation of continuous monitoring tools for each unit to track temperature, durability, and production data, further enhancing efficiency and scalability.

Our Partner

Our partner, Carboneers specializes in developing decentralized biochar projects to achieve significant carbon dioxide removal while supporting rural farming communities. With extensive experience in training farmers and providing tools and technology, Carboneers enables the transformation of agricultural biomass into biochar. Certified by Carbon Standards International, Verra and currently under validation of Isometric, their projects not only combat climate change but also enhance tropical agriculture by improving soil fertility, water retention, and crop yields.

Your contact at atmosfair

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