Dr. Peter Brownsort
- Position:
- Research Associate
- Home Page:
- http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/geosciences/people?cw_xml=person.html&indv=2403
I have been working at the UKBRC since October 2009. My main role is the development and optimisation of pyrolysis processes for the production of biochar, including characterisation of feedstocks and products, pre- and post-treatment processes, and the assessment of energy systems based around biochar production.
So far, my main emphasis has been on establishing capabilities and equipment in the centre, principally three different scales of pyrolysis unit: a laboratory batch reactor, a bench-scale continuous unit and a pilot-scale unit. With the new facilities in place my ongoing focus addresses my key research question – how do feedstock, process and post-treatment affect the properties of biochar and the energy balance of the system?
My background is in Organic and Environmental Chemistry and I have over twenty years experience in industry, managing and developing process technology in the fine chemicals sector. In 2009 I completed a Masters degree in Environmental Sustainability at Edinburgh; my dissertation focussed on a comparison of technologies for pyrolysis biochar systems and this interest led to my present post. My main motivation is to bring my experience from industry to focus on an area with potential for significant climate change mitigation.
Relevant Research Areas:
Relevant Projects:
- An assessment of the benefits and issues associated with the application of biochar to soil
- Interreg IVB North Sea Region: Climate Saving Soils
- Investigating the optimum conditions for biochar production
Publications:
Downloadable PDF of UKBRC pyrolysis facilities
Mašek O, Budarin V, Gronnow M, Crombie K, Brownsort P, Hurst P (2012) Microwave and Slow Pyrolysis Biochar - Comparison of Physical and Functional Properties. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis 100:41–48
Crombie, K., Mašek, O., Sohi, S.P.. Brownsort, P., Cross, A. (2013) The effect of pyrolysis conditions on biochar stability as determined by three methods, GCB Bioenergy, 5:122-131
Gronnow MJ, Budarin VL, Mašek O, Crombie KN, Brownsort PA, Shuttleworth PS, Hurst PR (2012) Torrefaction/biochar production by microwave and conventional slow pyrolysis – comparison of energy properties. Global Change Biology Bioenergy
Mašek, O., Brownsort, P., Cross, A., & Sohi, S. (2011). Influence of production conditions on the yield and environmental stability of biochar. Fuel. doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2011.08.044
Brownsort PA, Crombie K, Mašek O, Turrion-Gomez J 2011. Pyrolysis Biochar Syatems: Pilot Scale Pyrolysis Plant for 'Specified Biochar' Production. Paper presented at the 19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, Berlin, Germany.
Brownsort PA and Mašek O 2011. Small-scale Continuous Pyrolysis Apparatus: capabilities and initial results. Poster presented in Biochar 2011, 3rd UKBRC Annual Conference, Edinburgh, UK.
Hammond J, Shackley S, Sohi S P and Brownsort PA 2011. Prospective life cycle carbon abatement for pyrolysis biochar systems in the UK. Energy Policy 39, 2646-2655.
Hammond J, Shackley SJ, Sohi SP and Brownsort PA 2010. Life Cycle Analysis for Pyrolysis Biochar Systems in the UK. Poster presented in the 3rd Annual conference of International Biochar Initiative (IBI), Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
Brownsort PA and Mašek O 2010. Pyrolysis Biochar Systems: Comparison of Climate Change Mitigation Effects of Slow, Intermediate and Fast Pyrolysis Processes. Paper presented in the 18th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, Lyon, France.
Brownsort PA and Mašek O 2010. Laboratory Scale Pyrolysis Apparatus. Poster presented in the 2nd UKBRC Annual Conference, Rothamsted, UK.
Mašek O and Brownsort PA 2010. Research on Production of Bespoke Biochar. Poster presented in the 2nd UKBRC Conference, Rothamsted, UK.
Shackley SJ and Sohi SP (eds) 2010. An assessment of the benefits and issues associated with the application of biochar to soil. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, London, UK.
Brownsort PA 2009. Biomass Pyrolysis Processes: Review of Scope, Control and Variability. UKBRC Working Paper 5
Brownsort PA 2009. Biomass Pyrolysis Processes: Performance Parameters and their Influence on Biochar System Benefits. MSc diss. Univ. of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.