Pyrolysis Characteristics of Undervalued Wood Varieties in the Portuguese Charcoal Sector

Towards sustainable charcoal production: Designing an economical brick kiln with enhanced emission control technology

In this research, a brick kiln integrated with pollutant emission control technology was designed and applied in order to produce charcoal from Eucalyptus Globules wood. The batch operation carbonization of wood biomass was undertaken in a 1.25 m 3 volume brick kiln. A wet-packed scrubber was designed and constructed by filling gravels in a depth of 40 cm with aggregate sizes of 48-60 mm, 27-33 mm and 16-20 mm from the bottom to the top respectively aiming to treat emission from the charcoal-producing unit. The characteristics of the charcoal produced were determined to be composed of 9% moisture content, 1.5% ash content, 38% charcoal yield and a heating value of 27.53 MJ/kg. On the other hand, the wet scrubber integrated into a brick kiln was found to remove Hydrocarbons, C O 2 and CO by 97.8%, 98.5% and 99% respectively, which makes it efficient and practical way of controlling the gasses released during producing of charcoal.

Navigating Pyrolysis Implementation-A Tutorial Review on Consideration Factors and Thermochemical Operating Methods for Biomass Conversion

Pyrolysis and related thermal conversion processes have shown increased research momentum in recent decades. Understanding the underlying thermal conversion process principles alongside the associated/exhibited operational challenges that are specific to biomass types is crucial for beginners in this research area. From an extensive literature search, the authors are convinced that a tutorial review that guides beginners particularly towards pyrolysis implementation, from different biomasses to the thermal conversion process and conditions, is scarce. An effective understanding of pre-to-main pyrolysis stages, alongside corresponding standard methodologies, would help beginners discuss anticipated results. To support the existing information, therefore, this review sought to seek how to navigate pyrolysis implementation, specifically considering factors and thermochemical operating methods for biomass conversion, drawing the ideas from: (a) the evolving nature of the thermal conversion process; (b) the potential inter-relatedness between individual components affecting pyrolysis-based research; (c) pre- to post-pyrolysis' engagement strategies; (d) potential feedstock employed in the thermal conversion processes; (e) the major pre-treatment strategies applied to feedstocks; (f) system performance considerations between pyrolysis reactors; and (g) differentiating between the reactor and operation parameters involved in the thermal conversion processes. Moreover, pre-pyrolysis activity tackles biomass selection/analytical measurements, whereas the main pyrolysis activity tackles treatment methods, reactor types, operating processes, and the eventual product output. Other areas that need beginners' attention include high-pressure process reactor design strategies and material types that have a greater potential for biomass.

Assessment of pyrolysis potential of Indian municipal solid waste and legacy waste via physicochemical and thermochemical characterization

This study explores the viability of utilizing municipal solid waste (MSW) and legacy waste as a renewable energy source through pyrolysis, akin to solid fuels. The heating value of MSW and legacy waste were found to be 37737.89 and 40432.84 kJ/kg, respectively. Proximate analysis shows that MSW fits within Tanner diagram parameters, eliminating the need for auxiliary fuel in pyrolysis. With 47.6 % and 44.16 % lignin content in MSW and legacy waste were deemed suitable for char production. Thermal degradation resulted in mass losses of 68 % for MSW and 82 % for legacy waste. The kinetic and thermodynamic assessment indicates lower activation energy (Ea) and Gibbs free energy (ΔG) for MSW (5.72 kJ/mol and 170.37 kJ/mol, respectively) compared to fossil fuels, suggesting faster reactions without additional energy requirement. MSW emerges as a promising alternative to fossil fuels, aligning with the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Variability on the energy properties of charcoal and charcoal briquettes for barbecue

In recent years there has been a strong increase in interest in the world of barbecues and outdoor cooking in high-income countries. Referring to FAO data, an exponential growth in imports of charcoal was observed in Europe and North America. Italy is one of the major European consumers and importers. On the market it is possible to find material with different characteristics and origins. However, analysis aimed at ascertaining the quality of the material are poorly performed. This research aimed to analyze the energy properties of charcoal commonly available on the Italian market. Twenty-four bags of charcoal and charcoal briquettes were analyzed. Eighteen samples represent the products most easily found on the market, in stores and on websites. In addition, six samples were supplied directly by the producer/importing company. The samples were grouped according to the continent of origin of the material (Europe, North-Central America and South America). Charcoal briquette samples were included together in a group. Referring to the ISO 17225-1 standard, the moisture content, ash content, heating value, volatile matter and fixed carbon were determined. Except for the moisture content, the results of the tests performed on all parameters show a strong variability both between different groups and within the same group. In detail, the European charcoal samples show characteristics more suitable for their use in barbecues. These have the highest values of fixed carbon and heating value and, at the same time, low values of ash and volatile matter. On the contrary, charcoal briquettes have less suitable characteristics for barbecue. The work also highlighted some gaps in the reference standard relating to laboratory analyses. To ensure careful control of the qualitative characteristics of the products on the market, it is necessary to promote the creation of a quality brand.

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Absence of information on the characteristics of the charcoal on the market.

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Properties influenced by origin, wood species and production process.

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Presence of gaps in reference standards relating to laboratory analysis.

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High variability of the energy properties of the charcoal and briquettes.

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Poor representativeness of the HHV₀ determined as indicated by the standard.

Charcoal Production in Portugal: Operating Conditions and Performance of a Traditional Brick Kiln

Charcoal is produced in large quantities in the Portuguese region of Alentejo mainly using traditional brick kilns. Information about this type of carbonization technology is scarce, which makes it urgent to characterize the process as a starting point for performance improvements. In this context, this study aims to characterize the operation of a cylindrical brick kiln (≈80 m3) during regular wood carbonization cycles. Relevant process parameters were monitored along with the yields and/or composition of the main products (carbonization gas, charcoal, and charcoal fines) to evaluate the mass balance of the process. The results show that the bulk of the kiln operates at temperatures below 300 °C, which greatly limits the quality of the charcoal. For instance, the fixed carbon content of charcoal can easily be as low as 60 wt.%. The yield of charcoal is also low, with values below 25 wt.% of dry wood feed. This means that significant quantities of by-products are generated in the process with little or no commercial value. Modifications in the carbonization process are needed to improve efficiency, charcoal quality, and environmental acceptance to sustain this activity in regions where it still represents vital income related to wood-waste management.

Forest Dendromass as Energy Feedstock: Diversity of Properties and Composition Depending on Systematic Genus and Organ

Exhaustion of fossil fuel resources, shrinking forest areas, with accompanying deterioration of their quality and striving (also of the society) to make forests perform their ecological function, with simultaneous development and propagation of the biomass conversion technologies—all of this necessitates research of forest biomass diversification. It is a consequence of the fact that its properties and composition depend not only on the genus but also on the plant organ, and they each time determine its usability as a raw biomaterial in a wide range of thermal, physical, or chemical conversion processes. This study reviewed and analysed selected qualitative and quantitative features of forest dendromass, taking into account the genus and a plant organ/morphological part, followed by a group of trees (coniferous and deciduous) and without the latter differentiation. The study involved an analysis of data covering 15 selected qualitative-quantitative features of forest dendromass within three main and nine additional plant organs/morphological parts and 21 genera (5 coniferous and 16 deciduous) typical of the temperate climate.

Numerical Study of Cylindrical Tropical Woods Pyrolysis Using Python Tool

In this paper, the thermal behavior of large pieces of wood pyrolysis has been modeled. Two mathematical models coupling heat transfer equations to chemical kinetics were used to predict the pyrolytic degradation of a 25 mm radius wood sample, assumed to be dry in the first model and wet in the second, when heated to 973.15 K. The reactions involved in the pyrolysis process are assumed to be endothermic. The diffusion of bounded water during the process is taken into account in the second model, where the heat transfer equation has been coupled to that of the diffusion of moisture. This model, although simple, provides more information on the drying and pyrolysis processes during the heating of wood, which is its originality. It can therefore be advantageously used to calculate the temperature distribution in a pyrolysis bed. The equations of the two models, discretized by an explicit finite difference method, were solved numerically by a program written in Python. The validation of both models against experimental work in the literature is satisfactory. The two models allow examination of the temperature profile in the radial direction of wood samples and highlighting of the effect of temperature on some thermal, physical and physicochemical characteristics.