F.Strie Submission to LCC: Waste Management & Pyrolysis

From: Frank Strie <mailto:schwabenforest@telair.com.au>  

To: justin.jones@launceston.tas.gov.au ; 

michelle Ogulin <mailto:michelle.ogulin@launceston.tas.gov.au>  

Cc: Jeremy Ball <mailto:balljeremy@hotmail.com>  

Sent: Friday, November 09, 2012 5:38 PM

Subject: Launceston Organics Managment: Comments on 'Managing waste and recycling in Launceston' will be received until Friday 9 November 2012.

Dear Michelle et al,


As advised, I have now visited the website, registered my interest  and used the  survey on the website, I also read the organics waste section of the report and and the summary page titled: Managing waste and recycling in Launceston.  Following that, I tried out the search options on the website, with thse results:

1. Your search for Pyrolysis returned  0 results  
2. Your search for Biochar returned  0 results.

I hope  this will change soon and the information gap will can be filled quickly, as nowadays leading edge composting methods use biochar in the composting process  for a whole number of reasons. It would be advisable to explore the optimum pyrolysis facility available and designed for the new compost facility in Launceston. 

Some in the Launceston Council would be well aware that for about 5 years now (since October 2007)  I provided information to the council and various staff and management,  information and links about the potential of slow pyrolysis. 

The Australian Technology Company Pacific Pyrolysis (former BEST Energies) in Somersby NSW have for the last 6 years  provided a demonstration plant, how to co-generate thermal energy, electric power and char. However, such a facility is a multi million dollar investment and there was to date little interest to explore the opportunities here in Tasmania.

The fresh char product can be used for example as nutrient filters in Agriculture (say in Dairy wash down pond outfall) , at Sewage Works; followed as Biochar to improve soil fertility and other important soil conditions. 

Pelletised char could also be used as high grade fuel pellets in inversion sensitive areas like Launceston in individual pellet heating systems. In recent times research around the world has demonstrated that the use of Biochar in the composting process has a  number of very positive effects.

Whilst most if not all research in Australia (CSIRO for example was) is still using raw char for their trial and research projects.

In Europe, some States in the US and also in a number of countries in Asia  things have moved on from the pure science work and are well beyond that stage. They use char for example  as feed additives for dairy cows (say 200g per cow /day) and also Poultry feed for improved health and growth conditions. 

Fresh char powder is used to improve liquid manure (piggery) and also liquid sewage to create aerobic conditions that consequently reduces odor and reduce other greenhouse gas emissions.

A smaller, alternative proposal:

This latest video link from Austria in English produced by Sonnenerde (SunSoil) www.sonnenerde.at demonstrates effectively why and how Biochar acts as a booster in the actual composting  process and also increased quality / value of the final humus product.  The video was only released earlier this week and is accessible via this link: Image Sonnenerde in English ... click here 

The heart of the process is pyrolysis technology  is German technology developed by Pyreg http://www.pyreg.de/aktuelles.html, in collaboration with a number of European Universities. The Sonnenerde & Pyreg Systems approach to green waste processing and energy conversion is now successfully operating in Germany, in two sites in Switzerland and one in Austria so far. 

The lectures (PP presentations) at the recent humus forum in Germany held on the 2nd October 2012 demonstrate very well the development of the pyrolysis and biochar technological, science and research regarding the use of Biochar as a soil additive, as well as the practical use of the same profitable by compost producers. By popular demand, here are the presentations of our speakers as downloadable pdf-/Powerpointdateien

1. Prof. Bruno Glaser
2. Dr. Claudia Kammann
3. Dipl-Ing. agr. Frank Wagener 
4. Schließung von Stoffkreisläufen - Kohlestoffkreislauf 
5. Prof. Winfried Sehn 
6. Biokohle durch Pyrolyse - Grundlagen, Möglichkeiten, Grenzen 
7. Fredy Abächerli 
8. Kompostierung von unterschiedlichen Anteilen von Pflanzenkohle in Kleinmieten 
9. Gerald Dunst 
10. Pflanzenkohle als Basis für Produktentwicklungen im Kompostbetrieb ... I am happy to provide translation assistance to English

In order to produce char in a credible, responsible and optimum process, Launceston and Northern Regional Waste Management has the unique opportunity to link up to collaborate with the Ökoregion Kaindorf in Austria a EU supported initiative, as an exemplary initiative for the world ... http://www.oekoregion-kaindorf.at or in English: CLICK HERE

In  summary, I consider these connections to Europe have enormous potential for a whole number of reasons and could benefit the triple bottom line approach of the initiative.

My recommendation therefore is to make use of the opportunities and to initiate as soon as possible a project specific cost/benefit analysis in line with the new plans for a composting facility in the Tamar Valley, whilst the same may be very appropriate also for the Dulverton Organics facility.

I would appreciate the opportunity to present the case in person to the relevant people in your organisation and any interested stakeholder.

Yours sincerely
Frank Strie, FWM Schwabenforest Pty. Ltd.
82 Brady's Lookout Rd.
Rosevears, Tas. 7277
63 944 394
0417 312 927
Skype: frank.strie1