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