The Ulysses Slow Pyrolysis System
The Burning Issue
Waste biomass from a variety of industries is not being managed correctly, resulting in lost economic and environmental opportunities.
The Choice
IRSI is presenting an option to those that want to tap into the value of residual biomass and unlock the potential of biochar.
Innovative or Ignore
Through the Ulysses Slow Pyrolysis System access the biomass to biochar value chain or allow your biomass to be wasted.
Environmental Benefits of Operating the Ulysses Slow Pyrolysis System Over a Year
Biomass Diverted (tonnes/yr)
Biochar Offsets (tonnes/yr)
Carbon Sequestered From Tree Seedlings
Carbon Sequestered From Barrels of Oil


The Benefits Are Clear
Economic Benefits
Developing industries and applications for biochar include:
- Soil conditioner or amendment
- Food additive
- Source material for graphene production
- Cosmetic applications
- Coal replacement
- Absorbent
- Bio-filter
- Pozzolan replacement for concrete
- Bio-composite additive
- Organic growth medium
- Sustainable insulation additive
- Compost additive
- Air de-contaminator
- Humidity regulator
- Pesticide filter
- Paints
- Medical applications
Environmental Benefits
Methane has a global warming potential of 25 when compared to carbon at 1 and between 1970 and 2010 methane emissions have increased by 20%. Methane emissions are of primary concern with regard to global warming and climate change. There is a range of key methane emission sources; biomass burning and landfills make up 19% of overall sources in this range. IRSI’s Ulysses system will reduce biomass burning and landfilling by redirecting biomass material. This will begin to reduce methane emissions through reduced biomass burning and landfilling, while simultaneously reducing methane emissions through the application of biochar. The main source of wholesale biochar is to purchasers for soil amendment applications and as such will increase the soils ability to reduce methane emissions. Methanotrophy refers to the oxidation and consumption of methane by aerobic protoeobacteria. Oxidation of methane by aerobic soils provides a significant sink for methane. As mentioned above the land applied biochar can be quantified conservatively at 2.0 CO2 equivalent offsets, there still remains significant research to show accurate measurements of methane reduction through land applied biochar. However, biochar applications have been shown to enhance soil aeration, soil-moisture content and increase methane diffusion to soil that decreases anoxic conditions, which leads to decreased methane production and increased methane oxidation.