Influence of the final carbonization temperature on the characteristics of tropical species charcoal

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the energetic characteristics of the charcoal of five species from wood residues in the municipality of Gurupi, Tocantins State, Brazil, as well as evaluating the influence of final carbonization time and temperature. Twenty test samples were obtained from each of the five species. The charcoal was obtained by wood pyrolysis in a muffle furnace, where two heating speeds with final carbonization temperatures of 450 °C and 500 °C for 6 h and 7 h, respectively, were used. To determine the apparent density and the gravimetric yield, the charcoal was weighed on an analytical scale and measured with a caliper. The immediate chemical analysis (ICA) was carried out. It was used a muffle furnace to determine volatile materials, fixed carbon and ash and the calorific value was calculated. The gravimetric yield presented acceptable average values for all species and temperatures (36.4%). Acceptable values were found for volatile materials (27.7%), fixed carbon (70.6%) and ashes (1.7%). Calorific values were within the recommended standards, presenting high energetic potential. The recommended final temperature of carbonization is 500 °C.