Biomass pyrolysis apparatus

There is provided a biomass pyrolysis apparatus (30) for carrying out a biochar production process, the biomass pyrolysis apparatus (30) comprising: a biochar kiln (32); at least one temperature sensor (34) configured to, in use, measure a temperature inside the biochar kiln (32); at least one weight sensor (36) operably coupled to the biochar kiln (32) so that the or each weight sensor (36) is configured to, in use, measure a change in weight of biomass inside the biochar kiln (32); and a data capture device (38) configured to, in use, record temperature data obtained by the or each temperature sensor (34) and weight data obtained by the or each weight sensor (36). There is also provided a biochar kiln comprising a trough and a heat shield wall, wherein the trough is shaped as a quadrilateral frustum, wherein the heat shield wall is suspended from walls of the trough so that the heat shield wall surrounds the trough.