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

Author

Listed:
  • Felix Charvet

    (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • Arlindo Matos

    (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • José Figueiredo da Silva

    (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • Luís Tarelho

    (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • Mariana Leite

    (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • Daniel Neves

    (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

Abstract

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 m 3 ) 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.

Suggested Citation

  • Felix Charvet & Arlindo Matos & José Figueiredo da Silva & Luís Tarelho & Mariana Leite & Daniel Neves, 2022. "Charcoal Production in Portugal: Operating Conditions and Performance of a Traditional Brick Kiln," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-21, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:13:p:4775-:d:851401
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pio, D.T. & Tarelho, L.A.C. & Matos, M.A.A., 2017. "Characteristics of the gas produced during biomass direct gasification in an autothermal pilot-scale bubbling fluidized bed reactor," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 915-928.
    2. Sueli De Fátima de Oliveira Miranda Santos & Cassiano Moro Piekarski & Cássia Maria Lie Ugaya & Danilo Barros Donato & Aldo Braghini Júnior & Antonio Carlos De Francisco & Ana Márcia Macedo Ladeira Ca, 2017. "Life Cycle Analysis of Charcoal Production in Masonry Kilns with and without Carbonization Process Generated Gas Combustion," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-20, September.
    3. Sun, Minmin & Zhang, Jianliang & Li, Kejiang & Barati, Mansoor & Liu, Zhibin, 2022. "Co-gasification characteristics of coke blended with hydro-char and pyro-char from bamboo," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    4. Felix Charvet & Felipe Silva & Luís Ruivo & Luís Tarelho & Arlindo Matos & José Figueiredo da Silva & Daniel Neves, 2021. "Pyrolysis Characteristics of Undervalued Wood Varieties in the Portuguese Charcoal Sector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-16, April.
    5. Rodrigues, Thaisa & Braghini Junior, Aldo, 2019. "Technological prospecting in the production of charcoal: A patent study," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 170-183.
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