by DR Johansen » Tue Nov 16, 2010 6:39 am
A bit more on this subject.
Turns out the process is called "hydro-thermal carbonization". Dump pretty much any bio-mass with a mild acid into a pressure cooker for about 2 hours at about 200C. Out comes what is effectively coal. And the liquid remainder is typically a very good fertilizer.
Lets see. The Germans have a system for grading coal. It goes (with translation to English):
Braunkohle (Lignite)
Flammkohle (Flame coal)
Gasflammkohle (Gas flame coal)
Gaskohle (Gas coal)
Fettkohle (Fat coal)
Esskohle (Forge coal)
Magerkohle (Non baking coal)
Anthrazit (Anthracite)
I guess this would be Algaekohle and might come in somewhere around Braunkohle but without the ash problems!