A Study on Properties of Charcoal Producing from Alien Tree Species: <i>Cinnamomum burmannii</i>

Abstract

To reduce waste of woody resources and to implement the circular economy for resource recovery, this research aims to test and analyze the basic properties of charcoal from earthen kiln-burned alien tree species, Cinnamomum Burnmannii, similar to Taiwan’s native Cinnamomum Osmophloeum but a threat to native tree growth. The charcoal production is not for urban energy consumption, but what for develop multi-function value-added products using charcoal various characteristics. The study results showed that the average yield of three-times-burned charcoal in an earthen kiln was 14.7%, the ash 5.96%, gross heating value 6745 kcal/kg, lower heating value 6610 kcal/kg, volatile matter 4.88%, fixed carbon 80.71%, specific surface area (BET) 426.4 m2/g, and pH 9.14. Overall, the Cinnamomum burmannii charcoal burned in this study displayed alkaline, with a high BET value and good adsorption capacity, which contributes to the development of value-added products for removing odors in the air and impurities in water, thus expanding the scope of application of Cinnamomum burmannii and its value creation, minimizing waste, and implementing the concept of the circular economy for resource recovery. In addition, the carbon conservation rate through the burning of Cinnamomum burmannii charcoal can reach 24.11%, reducing the emission of carbon dioxide and achieving positive impacts on environmental carbon reduction.

Keywords

• <i>Cinnamomum burmannii</i>
• charcoal
• earthen kiln
• charcoal yield
• carbon conservation rate