Mobile Retorts VARIO as a Stand-Alone Solution for the Production of Biochar

SPSC is a leading provider of high-quality, professional retorts for the production of biochar. Our product range includes compact, mobile “stand-alone” solutions for decentralized use (flexible deployment location), as well as industrial reactors for large-scale plants. The mobile retorts of the VARIO series have been specifically tailored to the needs of farmers, are robust, and come with various additional options.

Our mobile retorts are ideal for every farmer, hobby gardener, livestock owner, as well as municipalities or research institutions. With the stand-alone solution for decentralized use, no gas, electricity, or water connection is required. Moreover, the operation can be done with or without a forklift, ensuring maximum flexibility.

Contact us for a non-binding consultation!

Please also check out Vario XS Fully Automatic

Our retorts in comparison


 


VARIO S

VARIO L
GENERAL DATA
Suitable forPrivate use, gardeners, farmers, agricultural operations, forestry enterprises, municipalities
Staff required1 person
Size (W x D x H)
(without crane)
80 x 100 x 170 cm 170 x 170 x 280 cm
Space requirement1 m²6 m²
ProcessBatch
Optional extensionsHeat exchanger
PROCESS MEDIA
Volume0,3 m³ (300l) per process1,9 m³ (1900l) per process
Input materialWood chips, firewood, green waste, corn cobs, grapevines, root wood
Outputapp. 0,12 m³ (120l)app. 0,9 m³ (900l)
No electricity or water connection is required for operation. Only combustible material (wood) needs to be provided for heating
PRODUCED BIOCHAR IN NUMBERS
*m³ per process0,120,9
Carbon content>94%
PAH content< 0,9 mg/kg
Water content0%
Energy utilization / Heat exchangerYes Yes
*May vary due to fragmentation, initial moisture, and material. Submit an inquiry.

VARIO S
GENERAL DATA
Suitable forPrivate use, gardeners, farmers, agricultural operations, forestry enterprises, municipalities
Staff required1 person
Size (W x D x H)
(without crane)
80 x 100 x 170 cm
Space requirement1 m²
ProcessBatch
Optional extensionsHeat exchanger
PROCESS MEDIA
Volume0,3 m³ (300l) per process
Input materialWood chips, firewood, green waste, corn cobs, grapevines, root wood
Outputca. 0,12 m³ (120l)
No electricity or water connection is required for operation. Only combustible material (wood) needs to be provided for heating
PRODUCED BIOCHAR IN NUMBERS
*m³ per process0,12
Carbon content>94%
PAH content< 0,9 mg/kg
Water content0%
Energy utilization / Heat exchangerYes
*May vary due to fragmentation, initial moisture, and material. Submit an inquiry.

VARIO L
GENERAL DATA
Suitable forPrivate use, gardeners, farmers, agricultural operations, forestry enterprises, municipalities
Staff required1 person
Size (W x D x H)
(without crane)
170 x 170 x 280 cm
Space requirement6 m²
ProcessBatch
Optional extensionsHeat exchanger
PROCESS MEDIA
Volume1,9 m³ (1900l) per process
Input materialWood chips, firewood, green waste, corn cobs, grapevines, root wood
Outputapp. 0,9 m³ (900l)
No electricity or water connection is required for operation. Only combustible material (wood) needs to be provided for heating
PRODUCED BIOCHAR IN NUMBERS
*m³ per process0,9
Carbon content>94%
PAH content< 0,9 mg/kg
Water content0%
Energy utilization / Heat exchangerYes
*May vary due to fragmentation, initial moisture, and material. Submit an inquiry.

Quality Features

of SPSC VARIO Retorts for Biomass Carbonization

Chemical and special alloy construction 

with over 5 mm wall thickness

Safe tilting mechanism

 fully operable by one person

Operating temperatures of 600-900 degrees Celsius

 can be heated with wood or gas

In-house Production of Biochar

Biochar has a wide range of applications in agriculture and industry, leading to an annual demand of several thousand tons. SPSC high-tech retorts enable you to independently produce ready-to-use biochar on a small or industrial scale, while maintaining the highest quality standards.

Benefits of in-house biochar production

Benefits of in-house biochar production using SPSC technology

With SPSC technology, you can produce biochar of the highest quality at the lowest cost.

Biochar Quality Certification

The SPSC technology ensures stable production conditions and high environmental compatibility. Biochar produced using SPSC technology corresponds to the highest quality according to laboratory analysis based on the EBC standard*.

Laboratory analysis results

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RETORTS FOR BIOCHAR PRODUCTION
– PRODUCING BIOCHAR IN-HOUSE

How is biochar produced? Biochar production with SPSC retorts.

Biochar is the end product obtained through the carbonization (pyrolysis) of biomass at temperatures ranging from approximately 400 to 1000 degrees Celsius in the absence of oxygen. Heating biomass initially removes the water content, and pyrolysis begins around 380 degrees Celsius. This process releases synthesis gas (e.g., wood gas) and heat, leaving behind biochar. Special apparatus, called biochar retorts or kilns, enable the creation of optimal conditions for this process.

The higher the process temperature and duration, the higher the carbon content (C-content) and specific surface area of the biochar. This guarantees a low content of remaining pollutants (tars, PAHs). 

The introduction of oxygen leads to immediate oxidation (combustion). Therefore, even small amounts of oxygen cause a portion of the charcoal to ignite, increasing the ash content in the produced biochar. It is crucial to be able to tightly seal biochar retorts during pyrolysis.

The SPSC biochar retorts have been specifically designed and developed with these requirements in mind. The pyrolysis chamber is tightly sealed and heated. The escaping synthesis gas is extracted from the pyrolysis area, directed into the combustion chamber, and burned after the introduction of oxygen (fresh air). The combustion chamber is integrated into the pyrolysis chamber and continues to heat the biomass. This ensures that the pyrolysis process is self-sustained using the escaping and burning synthesis gas, without the need for additional external energy and without the retort requiring constant monitoring during the process..

Where can you buy retorts for biochar production? SPSC retorts for biochar manufacturing.

Despite the increasing demand for high-quality biochar in agriculture and other industries, and the clear benefits of integrating on-site biochar production into the value chain, there are currently only a few reputable suppliers of biochar production systems or apparatus. As one of the leading providers of biochar technology, SPSC has made it its mission to develop a straightforward and efficient method for decentralized biochar production. SPSC biochar retorts fully meet this demand: they are professional apparatus or reactors for biomass pyrolysis, capable of carbonizing various types and fractions of biomass while being user-friendly. The development process took into account the requirements and desires of farmers and other users, such as the option for easy forklift operation or fueling with firewood.

Benefits of independent biochar production with SPSC biochar retorts

Having your own biochar retort for biochar production integrated into the value chain, especially in agriculture, makes sense for various reasons. It allows for the direct utilization or upgrading of generated biomass, such as green waste or wood chips, into biochar. This eliminates disposal costs and provides high-quality biochar without the need to purchase it on the open market. You become independent from potential price fluctuations and supply shortages while maintaining full control over the quality. The energy generated by the retort during pyrolysis can be extracted using a heat exchanger and used for heating purposes. SPSC retorts are robust and require low maintenance, resulting in lower biochar production costs.

* No certification. If desired and required, the device owner (operating company) has the option of carrying out the certification independently.