Evaluation of traditional half orange type charcoal kiln for carbonisation: a case study

Abstract

A case study for evaluation of an Argentinean type charcoal kiln for carbonisation of wood was carried out. A study has been carried out to characterise fuel before and after carbonisation, thermal analysis and mass balance of carbonisation process using a conventional charcoal kiln. For thermal analysis of carbonisation process, Copper Constantine thermocouples were installed at the centre of the air vent to measure the vertical temperature distribution of the inner and outer skin of the kiln at heights of 0.31, 0.83, 1.35, 1.83 and 2.52 m and at intervals of two hours from lighting to cooling of kiln. The mass balance of the carbonisation process was measured by noting mass input in kg of wood species used for carbonisation and the mass output in the kiln in kg in terms of charcoal, fines, un-burnt and ash for a battery of five kilns. Average values are reported. The mass conversion efficiency was found to be 27.14%.