Autonomous device for in-field conversion of biomass into biochar

An apparatus for in-field production of biomass into biochar, the apparatus comprising:

• a mobile biochar generation system, wherein the mobile biochar generation system comprises:
• a mobile platform, wherein the mobile platform comprises a tractor unit;
• a trailer unit, wherein the trailer unit comprises a trailer bed and a trailer hitch, wherein the trailer hitch connects the mobile platform with the trailer unit;
• a harvesting unit, wherein the harvesting unit comprises:
• a first sensor array, configured to monitor the biomass being harvested;
• a forage harvester, wherein the forage harvester is mounted to the front of the mobile platform;
• a biomass intake unit, wherein the biomass intake unit transfers the harvested biomass to a conveyor unit;
• wherein the conveyer unit transfers the harvested biomass from the forage harvester to a biomass transfer unit;
• and
• wherein the biomass transfer unit deposits the harvested biomass to a pyrolytic system;
• the pyrolytic system comprising:
• a biomass intake unit, wherein the biomass intake unit comprises a hopper unit, wherein the biomass intake unit receives harvested biomass into the hopper unit;
• a pyrolytic reactor unit, wherein the pyrolytic reactor unit comprises:
• a pyrolysis control unit, wherein the pyrolysis control unit controls temperature and gas injection;
• a pyrolytic auger, wherein the pyrolytic reactor comprises:
• a first portion with one or more cut flights;
• and
• a second portion configured to transition from a first flight spacing to a second flight spacing;
• a thermally insulated reactor enclosure;
• an exhaust transfer unit;
• a biochar transfer unit;
• a heating unit;
• and
• a second sensor array;
• an exhaust handling unit, wherein the exhaust handling unit comprises:
• an exhaust coupling unit;
• a chimney unit;
• a blower unit;
• and
• a catalytic combustor;
• a cooling unit, wherein the cooling unit comprises:
• a quenching auger assembly, wherein the quenching auger assembly further comprises:
• one or more active cooling components, wherein the active cooling components comprise blowers and water sprinklers;
• and
• one or more passive cooling components, wherein the passive cooling components comprise heat sinks, peltier coolers and refrigeration units;
• one or more water storage units;
• one or more nutrient storage units;
• and
• a nutrient integration unit;
• a biochar handling system, wherein the biochar handling system comprises:
• a biochar spreading unit;
• a biochar plowing unit;
• and
• a third sensor array.