Biochar is a type of charcoal, but it is specifically produced for use in agriculture and environmental applications.
While both biochar and regular charcoal are created through the pyrolysis process, which involves heating organic materials in the absence of oxygen, there are some key differences between the two:
1. Purpose of biochar vs charcoal
– Biochar: It is primarily produced to improve soil quality and sequester carbon in agricultural soils. Biochar has a porous structure that enhances its ability to retain water and nutrients, making it beneficial for plant growth and soil health.
– Charcoal: Regular charcoal is typically used as a fuel and is produced for cooking and heating purposes. It is used as a fuel source and for grilling, but it does not have the same soil-enhancing properties as biochar.
2. Production differences
– Biochar: The feedstock for biochar production often includes organic materials like crop residues, wood chips, or other biomass. The production process is designed to maximize the stability of carbon in the resulting material. It is produced in an oxygen-limited environment which makes a biomass which is slower to decompose.
– Charcoal: Charcoal is usually made from wood or other organic matter and is produced to yield a high carbon content for efficient burning.
3. Application differences between biochar & charcoal
– Biochar: It is applied to agricultural soils to improve soil structure, water retention, and nutrient availability. Biochar can also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by sequestering carbon in the soil.
– Charcoal: Regular charcoal is used as a fuel for cooking, heating, and grilling, and it is not typically used in agricultural applications.
In summary, while both biochar and charcoal are forms of carbon-rich materials produced through pyrolysis, they serve very different purposes and have distinct applications. Biochar is specifically designed for soil improvement and carbon sequestration in agriculture, whereas charcoal is primarily used as a fuel source for cooking and heating. Carbon Gold’s products are not just plain biochar, we have also added natural biology to our products otherwise it will work like a sponge soaking up the natural biology in the soil before releasing it for the plants or trees to use.
