RO138639A1 - Laboratory equipment for producing biochar from plant remains - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a laboratory equipment for producing biochar and synthesis gas from plant remains. According to the invention, the equipment consists of a mobile support (100) on which two weighing cells (104) are mounted for weighing the raw material or the resulting biochar amount, and two rotation bearings (105) supporting an octagon-shaped casing (200) with an upper lid (300) and a lower lid (205) having an electrical resistor (208) for the ignition of the solid fuel using the air coming from a fan (210) and provided through a diffuser with holes (209), the equipment being also provided with a draught fan (308) enabling the combustion of the entire amount of material and with an electronic system with programmable automaton (400) which receives data from a thermostat (402), a thermocouple (312), a pressure sensor (314), for the control and automatic regulation of work parameters.

Description

LABORATORY EQUIPMENT FOR BIOCHAR PRODUCTION

FROM VEGETABLE WASTE

The invention presents laboratory equipment that will produce biochar and synthesis gas from plant residues, the equipment being equipped with temperature and pressure control sensors that provide information for a process computer that ensures the operation of the system.

In the prior art, the patent US 2013264831 Al is known, which presents a gasifier with a controlled biochar removal mechanism, comprising a biochar production module and an electric power generator that receives material and releases variable amounts of electric power and coal, including a pyrolysis module, a reaction module and a biochar removal mechanism disposed between the pyrolysis module and the reaction module, a motor module that includes a motor and an alternator, configured to convert the gaseous fuel produced by the reaction module into electrical energy and to provide residual matter to the pyrolysis module and a flame configured to burn the tar gas and to provide residual heat to the pyrolysis module.

The disadvantages of this system are the following: the feeding system is complex and consists of three screws for transporting raw material, it has a low degree of sealing and the biochar production process does not occur in an environment with low intake or in the absence of oxygen; the discharge of the biochar from the retort into a vat is carried out with a transport screw and it is necessary that the equipment is not used for a period of time until the biochar has completely cooled.

Also known is the US patent 2014250784A1, which describes a type of updraft gasifier that uses the heat from the gas rising from the combustion process to reduce, pyrolyze, and dry the material for biochar production.

The disadvantages of this system are the following: low degree of sealing from the atmosphere during the pyrolysis process, the discharge of the biochar from the retort into a vat is carried out with a tray and the biochar comes into contact with the atmosphere during the cooling process.

Also known is the patent CN 102936505A (B), which presents a laboratory biochar carbon furnace in which the technical solution includes a feed tank, a heating steel tube, a resistance wire, a temperature sensor, a housing and a cover, which is characterized in that the feed tank is an open upper end and a closed bottom tubular steel drum structure, and the heated steel tube is open at the upper end and closed at the lower end. The heating layer is a heating resistance wire wound with insulating ceramic beads.

The disadvantages of this system consist of the following: high consumption of electrical energy, because this system is with indirect heating of the enclosure until the temperature necessary to ignite the entire quantity of material in the retort is reached; the long duration of time required for igniting the material but also for cooling the biochar in order to discharge the gases from the equipment. y ~ ’' y-; y y

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RO 138639 A1

Also known is the patent US 2021222071A1, which describes a pyrolysis system and increased pyrolysis gas production in which dry biosolids were pyrolyzed with the introduction of biochar as a downstream catalyst. The hot pyrolysis vapors exited the main pyrolysis reactor, passed through the hot catalyst and were then separated by condensation. The biochar was obtained in the main reactor, and the biooil was collected in condensers.

The disadvantages of this system are the following: complex and expensive construction for the intended purpose; long time for the production of the biochar batch because a long period of time is required for cooling and unloading the obtained product.

Also known is US Patent No. 20080014132A1, which discloses a biomass gasifier. The invention discloses a wall structure defining a gasification chamber having a biomass inlet at an upper end thereof and a carbon outlet at a lower end, a carbon tube, generally U-shaped, having two vertical arms, the first arm being positioned to receive biochar from the gasification chamber and a second arm terminating above the orifice in the gasification chamber and connected to a blower, for introducing a gas flow through the gasification chamber.

The disadvantage of this equipment is that the biochar unloading system from the retort with a transport screw - which forces the material to climb into a tank with two "U"-shaped arms - involves blocking it during operation and therefore stopping the work process and manually unclogging the equipment.

Also known is the patent CN 215103026U, which describes a small mobile carbonization furnace for producing biochar and fuel gas. The small carbonization furnace used for producing biochar and fuel gas comprises a furnace shell, a partition plate, a combustion chamber, a carbonization chamber, a waste gas treatment mechanism, a sealing mechanism, a cleaning mechanism and a traction mechanism. The partition plate is fixedly installed in the furnace shell, the combustion chamber and the carbonization chamber are divided by the partition plate, the waste gas treatment mechanism comprises a waste gas treatment device, a first pipe, a cooler and a second pipe, the waste gas treatment device is arranged on a side of the furnace body, the first pipe is fixedly installed at the top of the furnace body, and the cooler is fixedly installed at the bottom of the furnace body.

The disadvantages of this equipment are the following: the system uses synthesis gas to heat the retort in which the material for biochar production is burned, but this synthesis gas is mixed with steam and smoke resulting from the technological process and therefore the combustion efficiency is very low; an additional period of time is required to cool the equipment and then discharge the biochar.

Also known is the patent CN 218002214U, which presents a biochar carbonization furnace for the laboratory and which refers to a furnace for carbonizing biochar under laboratory conditions.

The disadvantage of this system is that this carbonization furnace does not have a cooling structure and depends only on free cooling in the atmosphere, which takes time and will lead to waste of heat. After the carbonization is completed, due to the bio-reactor,

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RO 138639 A1 the temperature is still high when it is directly opened and it is easy to cause combustion when it comes into contact with oxygen, so it is necessary to cool the biochar.

Also known is US patent 6790317, which presents a carbonization process to produce biochar from sawdust or wood waste and which uses a small amount of material as a kindling or fuel to ignite the material in the retort.

The disadvantages of this invention consist of the following: the long duration of time for complete combustion of the raw material and then unloading the biochar; cumbersome work system that involves physical effort during unloading; the technological process does not have active control of the working parameters during the technological process.

The general disadvantages of these inventions are that they represent specific technical solutions for the purpose achieved and are not suitable for small equipment, for the laboratory, but with a high degree of automation, which would allow the adjustment of parameters for the purpose of researching biochar production from various vegetable waste recipes.

The technical problem that the invention solves consists in the design of laboratory equipment that allows the establishment of optimal values for biochar production from various vegetable waste recipes, equipment equipped with command and control elements that use a process computer for automatic system control.

The equipment for biochar production from vegetable waste eliminates the disadvantages of known solutions in that it consists of a mobile support equipped with swivel wheels for movement, the mobile support has two side walls on which two bearings with ball bearings are mounted that support an octagonal housing with the drive elements and control of the important parameters for the production of biochar from vegetable waste. The octagonal housing is made of two octagonal tanks made of stainless steel sheet material class 316 (1.4401) which is the most suitable for polluted, industrial environments, due to the fact that it has a higher corrosion resistance. The two octagonal housings are mounted concentrically and are insulated from each other with a ceramic fiber blanket resistant to very high temperatures to eliminate thermal energy losses inside the equipment. The octagonal housing has two side bolts mounted for mounting in the two ball bearings on the support and will allow the equipment to be rotated from a vertical position to an inclined position of approximately 135° for unloading the material obtained through pyrolysis, the rotation of the equipment being achieved with a handwheel.

An electric resistance is mounted on the bottom of the casing for igniting the solid fuel. To ignite the material, a fan or compressor can be used that sends the necessary air to a diffuser with holes mounted near the electric resistance. The air sent by this fan will accelerate the ignition of the material in the vicinity of the electric resistance. A double-walled metal upper cover sealed with ceramic fiber is mounted on the octagonal casing, the cover rotates with a hinge and is positioned with some fastening screws. The cover will support an overpressure valve, a high temperature thermocouple and a pressure sensor. A metal nipple is mounted on the cover that will allow coupling to a fan for

RO 138639 A1

CT is necessary to ignite the entire amount of material but can also absorb the smoke along with the steam produced at the beginning of the pyrolysis process and send them into the atmosphere.

After 10-15 minutes after the material at the bottom of the tank is ignited, the electrical resistance for igniting the fuel is turned off. After about 30-40 minutes, depending on the raw material used and its humidity, the material is ignited throughout the mass, which is dried in the first stage, and to continue the technological process, it is necessary to hermetically close the air vent at the bottom of the housing and the electromagnetic valve connected to the flexible hose and which is mounted on the octagonal housing cover. Due to the combustion in a hermetic space, the oxygen content inside the enclosure decreases from 21% to approximately 2%, the pressure in the enclosure will increase to 10 bars and the temperature achieved is 400-500°C, depending on the biomass used and the air supply. If necessary, the work cycle can be repeated with the modification of the work parameters: air pressure added in the combustion process and the working temperature. During the pyrolysis process, a synthesis gas is obtained, which can be transported using the high-temperature fan connected to the upper lid of the tank. This gas can be cooled and separated from the liquid part and then stored in a gas cylinder, to be burned in a gas burner mounted on other pyrolysis equipment. The raw material is chopped to similar sizes, does not require prior drying and allows moisture of approx. 15-30%. The time for carrying out the technological process is about 40-60 minutes, depending on the moisture content of the materials used in the production of biochar. After the completion of the pyrolysis, the octagonal casing tank is tilted using the handwheel, the lid is opened and the material obtained is overturned into a tank, after which the cycle is resumed.

Control of working parameters: the pressure and temperature inside the retort can be controlled using an electronic control and adjustment panel, which can be equipped with a programmable controller for automatic control and adjustment of working parameters.

The equipment for biochar production from plant residues has the following advantages:

It does not require a biochar unloading system (conveyor screw, trays, etc.) because the produced material can be unloaded by rotating the equipment using a handwheel and tipped into a sealed vat;

The equipment has a single enclosure, does not require a retort for heating and drying the material, the raw material is introduced into the reactor vessel and the entire technological process takes place there;

Reduced energy consumption for starting and running the production cycle;

Automated production cycle, with process computer;

Short working time;

Thermal insulation with ceramic fiber and double jacket that ensures reduced energy consumption;

The equipment is mobile, small in size and recommended for laboratory tests, with automatic adjustment of working parameters;

It can use plant residues with a moisture content of 30-40%, compared to known solutions that can use plant residues with a maximum moisture content of 15%.

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RO 138639 A1

Below is presented an embodiment of the invention, in connection with figures 1-14, which represent:

- Fig.1 - three-dimensional view of the equipment for biochar production from plant residues;

- Fig.2 - side view of the equipment for biochar production from plant residues;

- Fig.3 - three-dimensional view of the mobile support;

- Fig.4 - Detail A, consisting of the weighing cell and the rotation bearing;

- Fig.5 - the casing of the equipment for biochar production from plant residues;

- Fig.6 - the upper cover of the equipment for biochar production from plant residues;

- Fig.7 - lower cover of the equipment for biochar production from plant residues;

- Fig.8 - bottom view of the lower cover;

- Fig.9 -Detail B;

- Fig.10 - view of the inclined equipment for unloading the biochar;

- Fig.11 - tank for unloading biochar;

- Fig. 12 - Detail C, consisting of the electronic control system;

- Fig.13 - rear view of the inclined equipment for unloading biochar;

- Fig. 14 - biochar production equipment in position C for feeding with raw material

The laboratory equipment for biochar production from plant residues, according to the invention, is composed of a mobile support (100) consisting of a platform (101) equipped with four self-locking wheels (102) and two side walls (103) on which two weighing cells (104) and two rotating bearings (105) are mounted, secured to the upper plate of the weighing cells (104) with hexagonal head screws (106).

On the mobile support (100) is mounted a housing (200) which has spindles (201a) and (201b) which penetrate the rotation bearings (104). The housing (200) consists of two enclosures (202) and (203), of octagonal shape, mounted concentrically and which are insulated from each other with a layer of ceramic fiber (204). In the lower part of the housing, a cover (205) with double walls and insulated with ceramic fiber is mounted solidly. In the cover (205) are mounted two nipples of different sizes (206 and 207). In the nipple (206) is mounted an electrical resistance (208) for solid fuel ignition. In the nipple (207) is mounted an air diffuser with holes (209) which supplies the air necessary for ignition of the combustible material and which is received from the fan (210).

An upper cover (300) is mounted on the housing (200) with the help of hinges (301) and the cover can be tightened with screws (302), washers (303) and nuts (304). The upper cover is made of two walls (305 and 306) made of temperature-resistant stainless steel sheet, these walls are insulated with ceramic fiber (307). To continue the combustion of the material for the production of biochar with maximum intensity, a smoke exhaust fan (308) is required. The air transport from the fan (308) to the cover (300) is carried out with a flexible metal hose (309), a quick coupling (310) and a nipple (311). For temperature control on the cover (300) a thermocouple is used for temperature measurement (312) which is mounted with the help of a nipple (313).;

RO 138639 A1

Due to the fact that the material used for biochar production can have a maximum humidity of 40%, in the first stage of the technological process when the material is ignited in the vicinity of the electrical resistance, the material gradually dries out and a large amount of water vapor is released into the chamber. To control the pressure inside the combustion chamber, a pressure sensor (314) is used, which is mounted with a nipple (315) on the cover (300).

The reduction of the working pressure in the enclosure can be achieved with a vacuum pump (316) which is connected by means of a flexible metal hose (317), an electrovalve (318), a rotary coupling (319) to a spindle (202a) which has an internal hole that communicates with the inside of the housing (200). For protection against high steam pressure, an overpressure valve (320) is mounted on the cover (300).

The fan (308) can ensure the transport of smoke and vapors produced during the combustion of the material.

After the material has completely ignited and the temperature inside the enclosure reaches 250°C, it is necessary to hermetically seal the enclosure for biochar production. Hermetic sealing can be achieved with the solenoid valve (311) mounted on the upper cover (300); the solenoid valve (318) mounted on the rotation spindle (201a) and the solenoid valve (211) which is mounted on the lower cover of the housing (200).

During biochar production, synthesis gas is also obtained which can be released with the vacuum pump (316) and directed with a 3-way distributor to a cyclone separator and a gas cylinder, components not shown in the drawings. The synthesis gas can be used as a heat agent in a gas burner for other equipment used for biochar production.

The housing (200) has a discharge opening (211) which is provided at the top with a frame (213) for attaching a vessel (212) with some screws, not positioned. The vessel (212) has a prismatic guide (214) into which a separator plate (215) enters. A disk with two conical holes (216) is mounted solidly with the spindle (201a) and on the wall (103) of the mobile support (100) an indexer (217) is mounted which will position the housing (200) in position (A), for feeding and biochar production - and in position (B), for discharging the biochar after the technological flow is finished. To unload the biochar, rotate the housing (200) using the handwheel (218) to position (B), remove the separator plate (215) so that the biochar reaches the tank (212), then mount the separator plate (215) in the prismatic guide (214) and dismantle the tank (212).

In this way, the high-temperature biochar does not come into contact with the atmosphere and ash production is reduced during the cooling of the biochar.

For programming the working parameters: temperature, pressure, control of the electrical resistance for material ignition, regulation of the draft fan, vacuum pump, the equipment is equipped with an electronic panel with a programmable logic controller (401) of the PLC type.

The measurement, recording and regulation of temperature and pressure is done by a thermostat (402) which is used for the simultaneous control of the two control-thermocouple (312) and pressure sensor (314) and then the recording is done.

RO 138639 Α1 parameters measured on the programmable controller (401). The connection and control of the electromechanical components is carried out with the electrical panel (403). For manual control of the electromechanical components for actuation and control of the working parameters, only the electrical panel (403) and the thermostat (402) can be used.

It is necessary that all components for measuring parameters and regulating combustion be specified with very precise technical characteristics that are necessary to create software that will be used on the programmable controller (401).

Monitoring these parameters determines the establishment of optimal values for obtaining quality biochar under laboratory conditions from different types of plant residues.

The results of research on this laboratory equipment can be used in the design and use of industrial equipment for biochar production.

The basic subsystems of the equipment are as follows and present the description of the elements of novelty / inventiveness compared to the state of the art in this field, as follows:

1). The mobile support (100) is a metal structure with two rotating bearings (105), which allows the loading of the raw material and the unloading of the biochar from the retort of the housing (200) without the need for other transfer elements: screw conveyor, etc. The mobile support (100) has an ergonomic structure and supports the components that coordinate the combustion of the raw material for the production of biochar, namely the vacuum pump (316), the fan (308) but also the electronic control system (400).

2) . The housing (200) consists of two octagonal section tanks (202) and (203), insulated from each other with ceramic fiber (204), and which support a fixed lid (205) and a hinged lid (300) on which the material ignition elements for biochar production (208) and (209) are mounted and are connected to the two fans: one for ignition (210) and the other fan (308) to ensure the draft necessary for igniting the entire quantity of raw material. This housing contains a spindle (201a), with a central hole, through which the air absorption from the interior is carried out before the biochar production, namely after the complete ignition of the raw material, and the second spindle (201b), mounted collinear with the first spindle, allows the housing to be rotated using a handwheel (218). The casing (200) is connected to the vat (213) into which the biochar obtained in a hot state is discharged, without waiting for it to cool down with the equipment. Thanks to the use of a separator plate (215), the discharged biochar does not come into contact with oxygen in the atmosphere until it has completely cooled down.

3) . The electronic control system (400) recommended for this equipment, which is used in laboratory conditions for various types of vegetable waste and which uses the thermostat (402) to receive and display the values measured by the thermocouple (312) for measuring the temperature but also from the sensor (314) used to measure the pressure inside the casing (200) during the combustion of vegetable waste for the production of biochar. This information is taken over by the process computer (401) and, based on a software developed for this purpose, will control the electrical control panel (403) which will operate the two fans: for combustion (210) and for draft (308), will control the switching off of the electrical resistance (208) and the control of the vacuum pump (316). This system performs the automatic control and adjustment of the working parameters to obtain nUriqi i >-· .·τ. . .

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RO 138639 Α1 quality biochar under laboratory conditions and this information which is then listed will be useful in the development of an industrial equipment used for this purpose.

An embodiment of the invention is presented, also in connection with figures 1-14, in which the main components and important materials have the following technical characteristics:

1. The load cells (104), used in the construction of the equipment, are of the single point type and are made of aluminum, with improved insulation, which have a weighing capacity in the range of 30-750 kg, they are generally used in commercial scales or small weighing platforms. The electrical signal is taken over by the electronic command and control panel.

2. The ceramic fiber (204) which is used for thermal insulation of the casing and covers of the equipment of the invention, has the following technical characteristics: it is made of aluminum oxide (45-50%) and silicon dioxide (48-53%), it withstands up to 1260°C. The two octagonal enclosures (202) and (203) are made of stainless steel class 316 (1.4401) resistant to corrosion and high temperatures.

3. The electrical resistance (208), for solid fuel ignition, has the following technical characteristics: the energy load on the cartridge body is maximum 50 W/cm ² , the sheath of this product is made of stainless steel and at the end of the product there is a ceramic head for better protection of the power cable. The power supply is made with single-conductor copper-nickel electrical wires, these having external insulation made of siliconized fiberglass.

4. The draft fan (210) is for air supply and has the following technical characteristics: static pressure - maximum 360Pa, air flow - maximum 255 mc/hour, maximum speed 2470 rpm, power consumption - 67W, capacitor 2 pF. Rotor - galvanized steel.

5. The smoke exhaust fan (308) has the following working parameters: 230V, 40W, 2640 RPM.

6. The high temperature thermocouple (312) is with ceramic protection, with sheath, probe: thermocouple K or S, according to the CEI 60584 class 1 standard, connection head: type B made of aluminum alloy coated with epoxy resins, cable outlet with IP68 polyamide gland; refractory steel sleeve. Operating temperature: from -50°C to +1800°C.

7. The pressure sensor (314) has analog output, DC 0-10V signal.

8. The vacuum pump (316) has two operating stages, 220V power supply, with the following technical characteristics:

flow rate 100 l/min.; vacuum depth -15 microns; Hg column = 2Pa; power 0.7 KW, threaded record % inch SAF; oil check valve: vacuum gauge (measures vacuum depth).

9. The programmable logic controller (401) is a high-performance control system, designed according to the PLC + HMI concept, with an integrated color touch screen. This system forms a single unit together with the inputs and outputs, respectively the attachable I/O modules.

10. The thermostat (402) is used for the simultaneous control of the two thermocouple actuators (312) and the pressure sensor (314) and the recording of the measured parameters on the programmable controller (401). It is necessary that all the components of

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RO 138639 Α1 parameter measurement and combustion regulation, the very exact technical characteristics that are necessary to create a software that will be used on the programmable controller (401) must be specified.

Bibliography:

1. US2013264831A1-2013. Gasifier with controlled biochar removal mechanism.

2. US2014250784A1-2014. System and method downdraft gasification.

3. CN102936505A-2013. Biochar sharring furnace for laboratory.

4. US2021222071A1-2021. Systems for Pyrolysis and Increased Production of Pyrolysis Gas.

5. US2008014132A1-2008. Biomass gasifier.

6. CN215103026U-2021. Convenient to move small carbonization furnace for producing biochar and combustible gas.

7. CN218002214U-2022. Biochar carbonization furnace for laboratory.

8. US20101933344A1-2010. New process for ignition of biomass flash carbonization

Claims (5)

CLAIMS Lì,^· 1. Equipment for biochar production from vegetable waste, characterized in that, in order to be able to produce biochar under laboratory conditions from various vegetable waste, it consists of a mobile support (100), which has two rotating bearings (105), which support the spindles of a double-walled housing (200) and an electronic control system (400) equipped with control elements and which uses a process computer (401) and performs the programming of the control elements in the electrical panel (403), the parameters are listed on a wireless printer and allow subsequent analysis of each work sample depending on the raw material and the working parameters used on the laboratory equipment, the final information will be used for sizing and adjusting an industrial equipment for the production of biochar from vegetable waste, the equipment being configured to ensure the production of biochar in the absence of oxygen from the atmosphere, also performing the transfer to a removable tank (212), with the separation plate (215) of the product obtained immediately after the end of the process without comes into contact with the atmosphere, thus obtaining a quality product but also in a shorter time, without waiting for the biochar to cool down for discharge. 2. Equipment for biochar production from plant residues, according to claim 1, characterized in that the mobile support (100) consists of a platform (101) provided with four self-locking wheels (102) and supports two side walls (103) on which two weighing cells (104) are mounted, which perform the measurements for the raw material and the amount of biochar obtained, and at the upper part of the two weighing cells, two rotation bearings (105) are mounted, secured with hexagonal head screws (106), the mobile support (100) having the role of supporting the basic components of the equipment and ensuring transport to the place of use. 3. Equipment for biochar production from vegetable waste, according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (200) consists of two tanks (202) and (203), with octagonal section, insulated from each other with ceramic fiber and supporting a fixed cover (205) and a hinged cover (300) on which some ignition elements for the production of biochar (208) and (209) are mounted, the housing (200) to the two fans: one for ignition (210) and the other fan (308) to ensure the draft necessary for the ignition of the entire quantity of raw material, the housing having two lateral spindles for positioning in the rotation bearings (105): a spindle (201a) with a central hole, through which the air absorption from the inside is carried out, before the production of biochar, namely after the complete ignition of the raw material, and the second spindle (201b), mounted in the opposite direction, collinear with the first spindle, allows the housing to be rotated using a handwheel (218), and also the housing (200) is connected to the vat (212) into which the biochar obtained in a hot state is discharged, without waiting for it to cool down with the equipment, provided with the discharge mouth coupled to a vat that has a separation plane that allows the biochar to be discharged without it coming into contact with the atmosphere. 4. Equipment for the production of biochar from vegetable residues, according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic control system (400) recommended for this 10/14 RO 138639Α1 equipment that is used in laboratory conditions for various types of vegetable waste and that uses the thermostat (402) to receive and display the values measured by the thermocouple (312) for measuring the temperature and from the sensor (314) used to measure the pressure inside the casing (200) during the combustion of vegetable waste for the production of biochar, the information being taken over by the process computer (401) and, based on a software developed for this purpose, will control the electrical control panel (403) that will operate the two fans: for ignition (210) and for draft (308), will control the start and stop of the electrical resistance (208) and will control the vacuum pump (316), thus monitoring the work process with sensors for measuring pressure, temperature, weight, processing this information with a process computer and automatically controlling the electromechanical components that operate the equipment for the production of biochar from vegetable waste. 5. Equipment for biochar production from plant residues, according to claim 1 and claim 4, characterized in that the weight of the fed material and the amount of biochar obtained are measured with the tensiometric marks (104) and this information is transmitted to the process computer (401), so that, by intermediate measurement using this weighing cell system, the amount of water that was evaporated following the drying process and therefore the humidity of the raw material used in each production cycle can be determined, so that the determination of the relative humidity of the raw material by weighing the material upon loading and weighing the material after completing the drying operation of the raw material is done directly in the retort of the equipment, without other additional devices.