Evaluation of Four Types of Kilns Used to Produce Charcoal from Several Tree Species in Mexico

Juan García-Quezada, Ricardo Musule-Lagunes, José Angel Prieto-Ruíz, Daniel José Vega-Nieva and Artemio Carrillo-Parra ()
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Juan García-Quezada: Programa Institucional de Doctorado en Ciencias Agropecuarias y Forestales (PIDCAF), Durango 34100, Mexico
Ricardo Musule-Lagunes: Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana Campus Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz 96538, Mexico
José Angel Prieto-Ruíz: Facultad de Ciencias Forestales y Ambientales, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango (UJED), Durango 34120, Mexico
Daniel José Vega-Nieva: Facultad de Ciencias Forestales y Ambientales, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango (UJED), Durango 34120, Mexico
Artemio Carrillo-Parra: Instituto de Silvicultura e Industria de la Madera (ISIMA), Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango (UJED), Durango 34120, Mexico

Energies, 2022, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-22

Abstract: Charcoal production is an activity that dates back over the years. The objective of the study was to determine the temperature and heating ramp in industrial carbonization processes using different kiln types and to quantify its impact on yield and quality of charcoal from different firewood species. The selection of sites, kiln types, and species investigated was based on those with highest production in Mexico. Brazilian beehive kilns using Arbutus xalapensis , Quercus durifolia , and Quercus sideroxyla species were analyzed; modified Brazilian beehive kilns with Pithecellobium dulce and Tamarindus indica ; Argentine half-orange kilns with Quercus magnoliifolia and Q. sideroxyla , industrial metal kilns with Brosimum alicastrum , Vitex gaumeri , Manilkara zapota , and Pouteria unilocularis . The process time, temperature, heating ramp, production yield, and quality of charcoal produced were determined. Data were analyzed in a completely random statistical design. The industrial type kilns showed the highest production yield (>35%), and the Brazilian beehive kilns obtained the longest carbonization time (>240 h). On the other hand, the modified Brazilian beehive kilns obtained the best energetic characteristics (>75% fixed carbon and <16% volatile material). A carbonization process with a slow heating ramp (<1 °C min −1 ) and temperatures of 500–600 °C can generate a charcoal with export quality.

Keywords: bioenergy; thermochemical conversion; solid biofuel; biofuels; masonry kiln; industrial kiln (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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