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Located in the seaside environmental technology district of Osaka Ecotown, The Kansai Sustainability Network (KSN) is an experimental facility that converts organic waste into charcoal for carbon sequestration, agriculture and commercial purposes. Since 2003, the KSN has been exploring this green technology as a means of offsetting the effects of greenhouse emissions. |
| PURPOSE |
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To research and implement charcoal carbon sequestering, agricultural and commercial technologies
To reduce the amount of organic waste in landfills
To control carbon emissions and develop carbon sinks
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| CARBON
SOURCES |
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Food waste from restaurants, supermarkets, factories, households
Argicultural waste, scrap wood
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| PRODUCTION CAPACITY |
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Up to 150 tons of charcoal per day. Facility operates 24 hrs daily
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| CONCEPTS |
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Carbon Sequestration: “trapping” carbon in a form that will never reach the atmosphere as carbon gas
Pyrolysis: burning organic material in the absence of oxygen to produce charcoal
Carbon Sink: A place that absorbs more carbon than it emits. |
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 BIOCHAR—COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE
Any organic substance can be converted to charcoal using a process called pyrolysis, where material is burned in the absence of oxygen. The KSN uses this technology to turn organic waste from restaurants, supermarkets, factories and households into carbon-sequestering “biochar.” Instead of decomposing in landfills and emitting carbon gases, these materials are used to improve the environment.
WHY CHARCOAL?
For thousands of years, humans have used charcoal for many purposes: medicine, filtration, heat, energy, art and more. Today, charcoal has new relevance in the fight against climate change, not only because it traps carbon but also because it's a potent agriculture and reforestation aid.
Soil Enhancer
Recently, scientists have rediscovered an ancient agricultural technology— mixing charcoal with soil to promote plant growth. The biochar increases soil alkalinity and results are quickly visible—increased yields, plant sizes and growth speeds. The KSN's researchers are studying the optimal ways to use this method.
Continuous Absorption
Since charcoal can make plants grow faster and larger, normal crops can become more efficient carbon sinks, absorbing much more carbon from the atmosphere.
This technique may be an effective way to speed reforestation and aid in carbon reduction.
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THE KSN GREENHOUSE
Just outside the main plant is where the Kansai Sustainability Network puts biochar's agricultural potential to the test. The charcoal is mixed with soil in varying proportions and crops are irrigated using a rainwater system to simulate outdoor farms. Just a few months since planting, the tomato crops have yielded dense, healthy plants with delicious, juicy fruit.
THE PROCESS
Pyrolysis is a simple concept but the process is quite complex. Steps are taken to reduce energy use and exhaust is thoroughly filtered and processed to ensure no air pollution is generated. |
