Design and Construction of a High-Efficiency Biomass Charcoal Kiln in Ethiopia

Sisay Wondmagegn; Mequannent Esubalew; Ambachew Balemual; Sahlu Mhriet; Tadelle Nigusu; Wassie Adane; Mekash Tesfaw

doi:10.59122/134CFC7

Sisay Wondmagegn School of Chemical and Mechanical Engineering, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia
Mequannent Esubalew Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
Ambachew Balemual Faculty of Chemical and Food Engineering, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Sahlu Mhriet School of Chemical and Mechanical Engineering, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia
Tadelle Nigusu School of Chemical and Mechanical Engineering, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia
Wassie Adane School of Chemical and Mechanical Engineering, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia
Mekash Tesfaw School of Chemical and Mechanical Engineering, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study aimed at the design and construction of a high-efficiency biomass charcoal kiln in Ethiopia. Traditionally, local communities in Ethiopia use a premival and inefficient technique of charcoal making to which very little scientific study has been directed. This conventional charcoal making process hasnumerous downsides with regard to rate of carbonization, quality, yield, pollution, labor, and land costs. The current research, therefore, aimed at the design and construction of a high-efficiency biomass charcoal kiln that reduces the above listed problems.Charcoa produced by both the traditional erth mound kiln and the newly designed and constructed improved carbonization kild were compared for their properties. The results showed 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. Based on these results, the improved carbonization kiln’s carcoal displaed higest shatter resistance of 91.12% faring well in mechanical strength, and it has high-water penetration resistance meaning it has improved water absorption and a decent heating value. The increased density means the volume is decreased due to the leakage of volatile contents and more fixed carbon content. Lastly, the modified carbonization kiln’s production was enhanced by 48.38%.

Keywords: Biomass, Carbonization, Construction, Charcoal, Design, Kiln, Molecular Weight

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