Something For Us Something For Earth_ Background
In a healthy carbon cycle, photosynthesis paired with natural decomposition and occasional combustion work in partnership to create a perfect balance. When we burn organic matter…whether that is coal, wood, oil, etc…we are disrupting this balance, releasing an excess of carbon into the atmosphere. Coupled with massive deforestation and other factors, we have thrown the carbon cycle way out, this is somewhat common knowledge. The effects of this are quickly proving to be catastrophic, however our addiction to energy has yet to wane.
In the spring of 2021, Miguel Lastra and I sought to explore an alternative…particularly in the energy intense process of firing clay into ceramic.
The key was in a semi-haphazard partnership between a modified trashcan, some duct work, a bit of ceramic insulation, and two processes which go hand in hand…pyrolysis and carbonization.
Under the right conditions organic materials can undergo thermal decomposition, breaking the material down into a variety of compounds. This process is used across a variety of industries, including the petrochemical industry for the creation of compounds such as ethylene.
In our case, heating wood in the absence of oxygen forces the wood to release woodgas, or syngas. This gas, made up of a variety of molecules, including hydrogen and methane, is highly flammable, but of special note, a byproduct of its creation is biochar…a rather stable form of solid carbon.
The flammable nature of this homemade syngas, and the resultant biochar became the point of departure for our ongoing experiments.