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Investigating the pyrolysis temperature to define the use of charcoal

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Abstract

The production of charcoal for its many uses requires a careful selection of biomass and pyrolysis conditions, especially temperature, to ensure suitable quality. To do so, physical, chemical, and mechanical energy must be considered. This study aimed to analyze the yields and properties of charcoal produced at different pyrolysis temperatures. Eucalyptus saligna wood was pyrolyzed in a reactor with final temperatures of 450, 550, 650, 750, 850 and 950 °C. The yields of charcoal, pyroligneous liquid and non-condensable gases were determined. Mass loss was determined for each temperature. Charcoal analysis included the determination of the apparent density, proximate analysis, heating value, mechanical strength, X-ray images for the internal visualization of its structure and hygroscopicity test. Relevant charcoal properties for the steel industry and barbecue, such as density, mechanical strength, heating value and hygroscopicity, show variable trends from pyrolysis at 650 °C. The results show that pyrolysis temperature had a great impact on the properties of charcoal. The apparent density of charcoal rose from 500 °C and had no relation to the breaking strength. When the pyrolysis temperature was raised, an increase in both apparent and true densities, internal fissures and cracks and fixed carbon content of charcoal was observed.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), the Forestry Science and Research Institute (IPEF) and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq/142075/2016-7), research-funding agencies in Brazil, for granting the scholarships.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wood and Forestry Science Department, Federal University of Espírito Santo (DCFM/UFES), Av. Governador Lindemberg, 316, Jerônimo Monteiro, Espírito Santo, 29550-000, Brazil

    Ananias Francisco Dias Junior, Álison Moreira da Silva & Michel Picanço Oliveira

  2. Technology College São Paulo (FATEC), Av. Diácono Jair de Oliveira, 651, Santa Rosa Ipes, Piracicaba, SP, 13414-141, Brazil

    Rosi Pompeu Esteves

  3. Federal University Rural do Rio de Janeiro (DPF/IF), BR 465 km 7, Seropédica City, Rio de Janeiro State, 23890-000, Brazil

    Aécio Dantas Sousa Júnior

  4. University of São Paulo, Agriculture College “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ/USP), Av. Pádua Dias, 11, São Dimas, Piracicaba City, São Paulo State, 13418-900, Brazil

    José Otávio Brito

  5. Center de Coopération Internationale em Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (Cirad), 73 Avenue Jean-François Breton, 34398, Montpellier Cedex 5, France

    Alfredo Napoli

  6. Aperam BioEnergy Group Steel, R. 8, 280, Itamarandiba, MG, 39670-000, Brazil

    Benone Magalhães Braga

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  1. Ananias Francisco Dias Junior
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  2. Rosi Pompeu Esteves
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Correspondence to Álison Moreira da Silva.

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Dias Junior, A.F., Esteves, R.P., da Silva, Á.M. et al. Investigating the pyrolysis temperature to define the use of charcoal. Eur. J. Wood Prod. 78, 193–204 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-019-01489-6

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