Characterization of charcoal from some promising bamboo species

In this study, carbonisation of four bamboo species viz., Bambusa bambos, Dendrocalamus brandisii, D. stocksii and D. strictus was carried out. The effect of carbonisation temperature i.e., 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 and 800 °C on yield and fuel properties (calorific value, ash, volatile content, fixed carbon content etc.,) of bamboo charcoal was investigated. The soaking time (1 h) and heating rate (5 °C min−1) were kept constant for all experiments. A significant reduction in charcoal yield with increase in the carbonisation temperature was observed in all bamboo species. Fixed carbon content and ash content increased with carbonisation temperature, whereas the volatile content and ultimate hydrogen decreased with increase in carbonisation temperature. Charcoal obtained at 600 °C was found to have highest calorific value. At this temperature, bamboo charcoal yield, fixed carbon content, ash content and calorific value ranged from 30–32, 75–81, 5–10 % and 28–31 MJ kg−1, respectively. The combustion characteristic of bamboo charcoal was studied under oxidizing atmosphere using thermogravimetric analyzer. Bamboo charcoals were found to be different in their combustion behaviour, mainly due to difference in chemical and elemental properties of bamboo biomass and temperature at which the charcoals were made. © 2014, Indian Academy of Wood Science.