Methods and systems for producing an enhanced surface area biochar product

An apparatus comprising:

• a processing vessel (803) configured to receive biochar (809);
• a thermal oxidizer (505), operably coupled with the processing vessel (803);
• a plurality of independently temperature-controlled chambers configured in the processing vessel (803), wherein the plurality of independently temperature-controlled chambers comprise a processing vessel heating section (824) and a processing vessel cooling section (827);
• a counter-flow agent gas (831) injection system operably coupled with the processing vessel (803), wherein the counter-flow agent gas (831) injection system is configured to inject agent gas (831) into at least one temperature-controlled chamber of the processing vessel (803);
• and
• a control system (925) operably coupled with the processing vessel (803) and the counter-flow agent gas (831) injection system, wherein the control system (925) is configured to:
• determine and adjust temperature in at least one temperature-controlled chamber of the processing vessel (803);
• adjust temperature of biochar (809) in the processing vessel (803) based on governing retention time of biochar (809) in the at least one temperature-controlled chamber of the processing vessel (803);
• control activation levels of the biochar (809) by moving the biochar (809) through the processing vessel (803) and adjusting biochar (809) temperature using the counter-flow agent gas (831) injection system;
• recover volatiles driven off through dehydration, thermochemical conversion, decomposition reactions, or combinations thereof using the thermal oxidizer (505);
• cool the biochar (809) to a desired discharge temperature using the counter-flow agent gas (831) injection;
• and
• discharge an activated biochar product (833).