How Is Charcoal Produced By Pyrolysis?

Charcoal, a common source of carbon, cannot be separated from the process of pyrolysis of wood. Under oxygen-poor atmospheric conditions, wood undergoes pyrolysis. Water vapour and volatile organic gases are released and charcoal is eventually formed. Charcoal is a solid carbide produced from plant tissue by nevertheless putting and incomplete combustion or pyrolysis. Its main component is carbon, charcoal carbon content is about: 70%-90%. Other components are: hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and other chemical elements, as well as a small amount of ash and water. The shape, colour, hardness, density, porosity and other characteristics of charcoal. All depend on the type, moisture content, components in the raw material, carbonisation temperature, time, oxygen supply and other conditions.

The formation of charcoal is a complex chemical reaction in which wood is pyrolysed into charcoal using a carbonisation furnace. It can be divided into two stages: dry distillation and carbonisation.

Dry distillation: Wood is heated to 200-300°C in an oxygen deficient and oxygen free environment. It is made to decompose into solid charcoal, gaseous wood vinegar liquid and wood gas, and liquid water.

Carbonisation: Continuous heating of charcoal to 300-800°C in the presence of a limited supply of oxygen. This causes it to break down into purer charcoal, as well as more wood gas and water. The two stages are continuous and interact with each other, and together they determine the quality and yield of the charcoal.

 

Charcoal Pyrolysis Production Process

Charcoal is produced mainly from wood such as pine, oak and cedar. Carbonisation temperature, time and type of equipment are strictly controlled during the pyrolysis process. The pyrolysis temperature ranges from 300-800°C. The charcoal is produced at low temperatures. Low temperature pyrolysis produces less porous charcoal, while high temperature pyrolysis increases the specific surface area of the charcoal. The pyrolysis time is usually: 2-6 hours. Slow pyrolysis is used to obtain char with stable quality. In addition, continuous carbonisation furnace and horizontal carbonisation furnace are common pyrolysis equipment. The raw material is first dried and sieved. After pre-treatment (crushing and mixing), pyrolysis follows. Pyrolysis requires strict temperature control. After pyrolysis, the charcoal is cooled to make charcoal. Finally, the charcoal is sieved and packaged for post-processing.

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