Biochar Production Calculator
Estimate biochar yield and carbon sequestration from pyrolysis of wood, straw, or manure feedstocks.
About this calculator
Biochar is the solid, carbon-rich residue left over when biomass is heated in a low-oxygen environment (pyrolysis) instead of being fully combusted. This calculator estimates yield using a linear interpolation between two temperature reference points -- a higher yield fraction typical around 350C and a lower-yield-but-more-stable fraction typical around 750C -- with the interpolation curve set differently for each feedstock type, since wood, straw, and manure carbonize differently. The general pattern that holds across all three feedstocks: higher pyrolysis temperatures drive off more volatile matter, which means LESS biochar mass survives (lower Yield Percentage) but what remains is more thermally stable and carbon-dense.
That trade-off is captured in the Carbon Sequestered output, which multiplies the biochar mass by an estimated carbon fraction that itself rises with temperature -- so even though yield falls as temperature climbs, the carbon fraction of what's left partially offsets that loss. Feedstock Type matters because manure/biosolids feedstock is estimated to produce noticeably higher biochar yield at a given temperature than wood or straw, reflecting its different composition. These are planning-level estimates from published pyrolysis yield ranges, not a substitute for lab-measured yields from your specific feedstock batch.
Inputs
Results
Biochar Yield
31.25 kg
≈ 8 gallons of milk
Carbon Sequestered
20.85 kg
≈ 10 bags of sugar
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter feedstock weight in kg and select the feedstock type (wood, agricultural residue, etc.).
- Set the pyrolysis temperature — higher temperatures (500–700°C) increase carbon stability but reduce yield.
- Review Biochar Yield (kg), Yield Percentage (%), and Carbon Sequestered (kg).
- Compare runs at different temperatures to find the optimal balance of yield and carbon sequestration.
How the result changes with Feedstock (kg)
| Feedstock (kg) | Biochar Yield | Carbon Sequestered |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 15.63 kg | 10.43 kg |
| 75 | 23.44 kg | 15.64 kg |
| 150 | 46.88 kg | 31.27 kg |
| 250 | 78.13 kg | 52.12 kg |
What each input means
- Feedstock (kg)
- Dry weight of feedstock material in kilograms
- Pyrolysis Temperature (°C)
- Peak pyrolysis temperature — higher temps produce less but more stable biochar
- Feedstock Type
- Wood/woody biomass, straw/crop residue, or manure/biosolids.
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input ParametersFeedstock (kg) = 100, Pyrolysis Temperature (°C) = 500, Feedstock Type = 1 = 3 input(s) provided
- Calculate Biochar YieldBiochar Yield31.25 = 31.25
- Calculate Yield PercentageYield Percentage31.25 = 31.25
Engine last updated . Checked against 3 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators. Built by Paul Gunder, a software engineer, not a licensed financial, medical, or legal professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does raising the pyrolysis temperature reduce the Biochar Yield?
Higher pyrolysis temperatures drive off more of the feedstock's volatile organic matter as gas and liquid byproducts, leaving less solid mass behind as biochar. This calculator models that as a straight-line decrease in yield fraction between reference values at 350C and 750C for each feedstock type.
If yield goes down at higher temperatures, why would anyone pyrolyze hotter?
Because the biochar that does remain becomes more carbon-dense and structurally stable at higher temperatures -- this calculator models the carbon fraction of the remaining biochar as rising with pyrolysis temperature, which is why Carbon Sequestered doesn't fall nearly as fast as Yield Percentage does across the same temperature range.
Does Feedstock Type change the result even if I don't touch anything else?
Yes -- wood/woody biomass, straw/crop residue, and manure/biosolids each carry different low-temperature and high-temperature reference yield fractions in this calculator's model, with manure/biosolids typically estimated at the highest yield of the three at any given pyrolysis temperature.
Is the Carbon Sequestered figure the same as carbon credits I could claim?
No -- Carbon Sequestered here is simply the estimated mass of carbon contained in the biochar output, based on feedstock mass, yield, and an estimated carbon fraction. Real carbon-credit accounting for biochar involves additional factors like soil application method, decomposition rate, and third-party verification protocols that this calculator does not model.
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