Enhancing efficiency of biomass carbonization for high Quality and quantity charcoal production by using Metallic clay insulated kiln
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Date
2014
Authors
Mulei, Fredrick Mwange
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to construct a metallic clay insulated kiln to
enhance charcoal yield in quality and quantity. This research project aims at
improving the charcoal quality in terms of calorific value and smoke - free, and
maximum yield of charcoal (per kilogram of biomass substrate loaded). The
quantity of charcoal harvested per kilogram of primary four biomass materials
loaded as substrates was determined in four tests in each substrate. The main
objective was to develop metallic clay insulated kiln with high efficiency,
economical and environmentally friendly. metallic clay insulated kiln would offer
solution to the problems of low efficiencies of existing charcoal kilns, for
example, Traditional Earth Mould Kiln, Mark V. Kiln, Beehive kiln, and Half
Orange kiln, among others. These kilns have efficiency of 10%, 31%, 32% and
28.8%, respectively, compared to the achieved 40.85 ± 5.04 % for this metallic
clay insulated kiln. In this research a metallic clay insulated kiln was constructed
and tested. The major aspect is that a proto type 0.15 m' drum was used to
provide feedstock housing. This was tightly covered such that no fraction of
feedstock was burned to provide carbonization heat. Clay insulation housing was
constructed while the drum was provided with metallic stands and each of the
substrates was loaded in the drum. Insulation wall made of clay/mud was
constructed to prevent heat loss from the drums and combustion area. The
quantity of charcoal produced from the metallic clay insulated kiln was compared
with the quantity of wood substrate used. To determine the quality of the charcoal
(in terms of calorific value and smoke), universal standard charcoal testing
method was used that is Water Boiling test. The quality of charcoal produced
from the kiln was then compared with charcoal produced from other different
existing kilns in the literature. The data analysis was done by the help of statistical
package for social science (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel. In conclusion, efficiency
of charcoal production should be emphasized so as to make the practice of
charcoal production sustainable by use of metallic clay insulated kiln. It was also
found that metallic clay insulated improved kiln had higher efficiency (40.85 ±
5.04 %) than existing kilns such as Beehive, Mark V, Half Orange, Traditional
Earth Mould, drum kilns adopted by FAO and others. Adoption! utilization of the
metallic clay insulated kiln (with high efficiency as obtained in this research
project (40.85 ± 5.04 %)) will reduce/cut-off the problems experienced in use of
the _existing low - efficiency kilns. It is both an economical benefit, and
environmental friendly. Charcoal production using improved charcoal kilns with
high efficiency would give much higher yields of charcoal of excellent quality (in
sense of HHV and smoke-free). This can make the practice very profitable, and
users will have motivation for sustainable production of charcoal.
Description
Department of Energy Engineering, 86p. 2014