General provisions
Charcoal is a macroporous high-carbon product obtained by sub-stoichiometric heating of wood beyond atmospheric ignition temperature. The structure and properties of charcoal are determined by the time/temperature regime of pyrolysis. Industrial charcoal is obtained at a final pyrolysis temperature of 450-550 °C.
Pyrolysis of wood (dry distillation of wood) – decomposition of wood when heated without access to air with the formation of gaseous and liquid products and a solid residue – charcoal.
The properties of charcoal and the rate of the process are affected by:
Species and quality of wood
The particle size of the raw materials
The initial moisture content of the raw materials
Temperature and rate of heating of wood during drying
Speed and temperature of pyrolysis
The amount of air available during the pyrolysis process
