The Coal Factory
The Coal Factory
Making coal is good for the same reason that burning coal is bad; it sequesters carbon in a solid and stable form. The coal we make is called biochar, and unlike coal mined from the ground it hasn’t been compressed into a dense form. Instead, it’s light and porous which is ideal for inoculating it with liquid, like a coal sponge. Utilizing our community spaces, we’ve designed “coal urinals” whereby our community members inoculate the char with nitrogen rich urine. The inoculated char is then mixed with compost and distributed onto the surface of strip mines to restore the soil quality.
Our Program
Char Generation
We use the mobile Ring of Fire Biochar Kiln to convert waste wood into high-quality biochar directly at the source. Designed for portability and efficiency, this kiln operates with a clean burn and minimal emissions.
Char Inoculation
Inoculation begins when users pee on the biochar in custom-built coal urinals, activating microbes and kickstarting the composting process—turning waste into rich, living soil ready for restoration.
Char Crushing
Once the biochar is cooled and cured, it goes through our hammer mill for crushing. This step breaks the char into smaller, more uniform particles—ideal for mixing into soil or compost.
Char Distribution
We distribute inoculated biochar on abandoned strip mines to spark ecological restoration—rebuilding soil, boosting water retention, and creating conditions for native plants to take root and thrive.