This diploma work reviews the literature of biochar production and safety of biochar use. The object of the work was to represent traditional and advanced biochar production technologies and to check for potentially harmful substances, which are formed in the course of biochar production. Firstly, biochar's role and the history of charcoal production in Slovenia are shortly described. Afterwards, kilns and the simple through more exacting methods of biochar production are described. Pyrolysis is a very complex process. For this reason, decomposition of biomass is described in detail. Biomass also partially determines final products and the quality of biochar. However, the quality of final products largely depends on production methods, which have to be strictly controlled. Pyrolysis products are various (not only biochar). Moreover, during the process of biochar production with poor technologies, harmful and carcinogenic compounds like polycylyc aromatic hydrocarbons, can be formed. Researchers used many different methods to detect those harmful compounds . They also use different ways of preparing samples.Those different methods should be standardised. Biochar's properties can contribute to the improvement of soil fertility and can also mitigate climate changes, if proper and sophisticated methods of production are used.
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