IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i7p3191-d1627619.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Circular Economy in Charcoal Production: Valorization of Residues for Increased Efficiency and Sustainability

Author

Listed:
  • Angélica de Cássia Oliveira Carneiro

    (Forest Sciences Department, UFV—Federal University of Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, Viçosa 36571-000, Brazil)

  • Humberto Fauller de Siqueira

    (Forest Sciences Department, UFV—Federal University of Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, Viçosa 36571-000, Brazil)

  • Ricardo José Tauffer Barros

    (ArcelorMittal Tubarão (ES), R&D ArcelorMittal Brasil, Industrial Pole Tubarão, Serra 29160-904, Brazil)

  • Antonio José Vinha Zanuncio

    (Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Goiás Street, 2000, Vila Nova 38500-000, Brazil)

  • Amélia Guimarães Carvalho

    (Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Goiás Street, 2000, Vila Nova 38500-000, Brazil)

  • Vicente Toledo Machado de Morais Junior

    (Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Goiás Street, 2000, Vila Nova 38500-000, Brazil)

  • Luciano Cavalcante de Jesus França

    (Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Goiás Street, 2000, Vila Nova 38500-000, Brazil)

  • Amanda Ladeira Carvalho

    (Forest Sciences Department, UFV—Federal University of Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, Viçosa 36571-000, Brazil)

  • Dandara Paula da Silva Guimarães

    (Forest Sciences Department, UFV—Federal University of Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, Viçosa 36571-000, Brazil)

  • Evanderson Luis Capelete Evangelista

    (Forest Sciences Department, UFV—Federal University of Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, Viçosa 36571-000, Brazil)

  • Olivia Pereira Lopes

    (Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Goiás Street, 2000, Vila Nova 38500-000, Brazil)

  • Shoraia Germani Winter

    (Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Goiás Street, 2000, Vila Nova 38500-000, Brazil)

  • Iara Fontes Demuner

    (Forest Sciences Department, UFV—Federal University of Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, Viçosa 36571-000, Brazil)

Abstract

This study explores a circular economy approach in charcoal production, utilizing combustion gases from the process itself to optimize efficiency and quality, minimizing waste and reducing emissions. The research investigates the pre-drying of Eucalyptus sp. wood with these gases before carbonization, through an innovative system that directs gases from the carbonizing furnace to a separate drying furnace. Wood samples were dried at 120 °C and 150 °C for 15, 22.5, and 30 h before carbonization. The analysis included the gravimetric yield of charcoal, semi-carbonized wood, and fines, in addition to evaluating key charcoal properties. Results demonstrated that drying with combustion gases at 150 °C increased the charcoal yield by 7%, regardless of drying time. Furthermore, this pre-drying improved charcoal quality, raising fixed carbon content from 74.68% to over 81% and reducing volatile matter from 24.40% to below 18%. These findings highlight that the utilization of combustion gases for wood drying not only significantly enhances the efficiency and quality of charcoal production but also contributes to the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, promoting a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative compared to conventional methods.

Suggested Citation

  • Angélica de Cássia Oliveira Carneiro & Humberto Fauller de Siqueira & Ricardo José Tauffer Barros & Antonio José Vinha Zanuncio & Amélia Guimarães Carvalho & Vicente Toledo Machado de Morais Junior & , 2025. "Circular Economy in Charcoal Production: Valorization of Residues for Increased Efficiency and Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-12, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:7:p:3191-:d:1627619
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/7/3191/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/7/3191/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. de Paula Protásio, Thiago & Roque Lima, Michael Douglas & Scatolino, Mário Vanoli & Silva, Alanna Barishinikov & Rodrigues de Figueiredo, Izabel Cristina & Gherardi Hein, Paulo Ricardo & Trugilho, Pau, 2021. "Charcoal productivity and quality parameters for reliable classification of Eucalyptus clones from Brazilian energy forests," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 34-45.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Marcin Sajdak & Roksana Muzyka & Grzegorz Gałko & Ewelina Ksepko & Monika Zajemska & Szymon Sobek & Dariusz Tercki, 2022. "Actual Trends in the Usability of Biochar as a High-Value Product of Biomass Obtained through Pyrolysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-30, December.
    2. Santos, Patrícia Leonídia dos & Lima, Michael Douglas Roque & Bufalino, Lina & Hein, Paulo Ricardo Gherardi & Silveira, Edgar A. & Candelier, Kévin & Trugilho, Paulo Fernando & Protásio, Thiago de Pau, 2025. "Exploring the effects of slow pyrolysis temperature and species on the quality of charcoal from Amazonian woody wastes," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    3. Massuque, Jonas & Roque Lima, Michael Douglas & Müller da Silva, Paulo Henrique & de Paula Protásio, Thiago & Trugilho, Paulo Fernando, 2023. "Potential of charcoal from non-commercial Corymbia and Eucalyptus wood for use in the steel industry," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 179-187.
    4. Pereira, Allana Katiussya Silva & Longue Júnior, Dalton & Silva, Álison Moreira da & Cupertino, Gabriela Fontes Mayrinck & Souza, Elias Costa de & Delatorre, Fabíola Martins & Ucella-Filho, João Gilbe, 2025. "How pyrolysis conditions shape the structural and functional properties of charcoal? A study of tropical dry forest biomass," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    5. da Silva Carvalho, Nayara Tamires & Silveira, Edgar A. & de Paula Protásio, Thiago & Mendoza-Martinez, Clara & Bianchi, Maria Lúcia & Trugilho, Paulo Fernando, 2025. "Optimizing catalytic hydrothermal carbonization of Eucalyptus grandis sawdust for enhanced biomass energy production: Statistical analysis and insights of sustainable carbon-neutral pathways," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 317(C).
    6. Lima, Michael Douglas Roque & Bufalino, Lina & Scatolino, Mário Vanoli & Hein, Paulo Ricardo Gherardi & Carneiro, Angélica de Cássia Oliveira & Trugilho, Paulo Fernando & Protásio, Thiago de Paula, 2023. "Segregating Amazonia logging wastes from sustainable forest management improves carbonization in brick kilns," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 772-788.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:7:p:3191-:d:1627619. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.