Biochar: The Water Treatment Miracle Natural Material

by Rami Elias Kremesti M.Sc., CSci, CEnv, CWEM

Introduction

Biochar effectively removes a wide range of contaminants from water, including organic pollutants like pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and dyes, as well as heavy metals and nutrients (N and P).

There is wood biochar and bone biochar.

Bone Biochar contains carbon (10%) and minerals (90%), including calcium phosphates (hydroxyapatite). This gives it the added property which allows it to remove Fluoride from water.

Wood biochar is primarily composed of carbon, has a high pH due to ash content, and has high porosity.

Here’s a more detailed explanation of what Biochar can remove:

Organic Contaminants:

Pesticides: Biochar can adsorb and remove various pesticides from water. This is owing to its intrinsic property of containing activated Carbon.

Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs):

Biochar can effectively remove PPCPs, including antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals. This is owing to its intrinsic property of containing activated Carbon.

Dyes:

Biochar can adsorb and remove dyes from water. This is owing to its intrinsic property of containing activated Carbon.

Humic Acid:

Biochar can remove humic acids, a class of natural organic compounds that can affect water quality especially after disinfection as DBP’s (Disinfection By Products) can form. This is owing to its intrinsic property of containing activated Carbon.

Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS):

Biochar can remove PFOS/PFAS, a persistent and toxic chemical. This is owing to its intrinsic property of containing activated Carbon.

N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA):

Biochar can remove NDMA, a carcinogenic compound. NDMA is an unintentional byproduct of water and wastewater treatment processes, particularly when chloramines are used for disinfection. This is owing to its intrinsic property of containing activated Carbon.

Figure 1: Chemical Structure of NDMA

Fluoride Removal

As fluoride reacts with hydroxyapatite, the main mineral component of teeth and bones, fluorapatite forms. This is less soluble and more resistant to acid attack, thus playing a crucial role in preventing tooth decay. The same property makes bone biochar effective at removing Fluoride from water.

How To Make Biochar

You need anaerobic gasification/pyrolysis of wood/bones.

Biography of the Author:

Rami Elias Kremesti is a chartered water and wastewater treatment specialist with a background in chemistry. He has worked on a myriad of water treatment and power station projects internationally. He is a British Citizen based out of High Wycombe, UK. He has published three books on philosophical topics which he loves to ponder in his spare time.

Rami Elias Kremesti Portrait