University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) - Research portal
Gewählte Master / Diploma Thesis:
Sanda Zabrian
(2021):
Biochar Technologies at the Energy-Food nexus
In sub-Saharan Africa:
A unique window for Climate-Smart Agriculture.
Master / Diploma Thesis - Institut für Bodenforschung (IBF),
BOKU-Universität für Bodenkultur,
pp 72.
UB BOKU
obvsg
- Abstract:
- The urge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and simultaneously address food and energy demands calls for new sustainable technologies. More than 75% of the total African population, does not have access to clean cooking technologies. Biomass is still used as the primary source for cooking and heating. Most of the households use a traditional three-stone open fire which has a negative impact on human health and the environment. A biochar producing cookstove can be an innovative solution. Beside reducing greenhouse gases and wood consumption it also plays a role in gender equity. If using the biochar as soil conditioner soil quality can be improved and long-term carbon storage promoted. A standard water boiling test was conducted to test a three-stone open fire's performance and a two-chamber gasifier’s using different feedstocks for biochar production. Additionally, we predicted different savings scenarios based on available maize cob on a sub-Saharan level.Results show a reduced fuel consumption for all biochar feedstocks ranging from 29%-46% depending on the cooking phase compared to the three-stone fire. For the CO2 emissions, there is a significant difference seen between all feedstocks for the simmering phase.Particulate matter emissions were reduced by 80% using the rice husk as biochar feedstock. None of the biochars exceeds the Biochar Certification threshold for polyaromatic hydrocarbons, making it save to be implemented into agriculture. On a sub-Saharan level, already a 5% usage of maize cobs would save 3.5 Mt wood C/year equal to an area of 797 km2, 8.6Mt CO2 and potentially sequester 0.8 Mt C/year. The two-chamber gasifier can reduce health problems, empower women, and simultaneously help build resilience and be a tool for climate change mitigation. Nonetheless, the social-cultural aspect has to be considered when implementing new technologies.Locals drop the gasifier because it's not designed for their cooking habits but more for cookstove efficiency.
- Beurteilende*r: Hood-Nowotny Rebecca