PHYSICAL, MECHANICAL AND ENERGETIC PROPERTIES OF Tachigali chrysophylla UNDER DIFFERENTS FINAL CARBONIZATION TEMPERATURES

Abstract

The charcoal production from wood wastes is a viable and suitable alternative to income Amazon region. However, it is necessary to define the best parameters for the optimization of production. The aim was to study the effect of three final temperatures (300, 400 and 500ºC) in physical, mechanical and energetic properties of wood waste charcoal of Tachigali chrysophylla. The material was collected in an area under second cutting cycle forest management in the Amazon. Branch waste of three trees were cut in 20x20x40mm³ samples and carbonized at different final temperatures at 1.6°C.min-1. The apparent density, mechanical strength and modulus of elasticity at parallel compression, gravimetric yield on charcoal and the higher heating value were determined. The data were analyzed with p<0.05. The final temperature affected the evaluated charcoal properties . The temperature of 500ºC is indicated when a charcoal with high mechanical strength at parallel compression and higher heating value is aimed. When the objective are higher apparent density and gravimetric yield in charcoal, the final temperature of 300ºC should be used.