DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A MODIFIED BIOMASS CHARCOAL PRODUCTION KILN

Abstract

This  research  was  focused  on  the  design  and  development  of  a  modified  biomass  charcoal production kiln. Society uses an ancient and rudimentary method of charcoal production that has received little investigation and analysis. The conventional charcoal production process has several drawbacks and disadvantages in terms of rate of carbonization, quality, yield, pollution, labor, and land costs. This study aimed to design and develop a charcoal production carbonization kiln that would  alleviate  the  mentioned  problems.  The  following  results  found  the  moisture  content  as(2,0.89) %, the volatile matter (8.84,3.02) %, the fixed carbon content (81.09,91.42)%, the heating value (29.982,32.762)MJ/kg, bulk density  (342.53,434.5)kg/m3, shatter resistance(88.8,91.12)%,water penetration resistance (26.34,17.99)%, ash content (8.06,4.660)%, efficiency(16,31)%, and production time per cycle(3,5) days for conventional earth mound kiln and improved carbonization kiln respectively. From  the  result,  the  maximum  shatter  resistance  shows  well in mechanical strength, and high-water penetration resistance shows that the charcoal has better water absorption and a good heating value. The higher density shows that the volume is reduced due to the escape of  volatile  components  and  high  fixed  carbon  content. Finally,  the  modified  carbonization  kiln yield was improved by 48.38%.

Keywords: Biomass, Carbonization charcoal, Design, kiln, Molecular weight