Impact of Wood Moisture in Charcoal Production and Quality

Abstract The charcoal production when performed in woods with high moisture content negatively impacts the pyrolysis and causes an increase of greenhouse emissions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of moisture on the production and quality of charcoal for the pig iron industry. The slow pyrolysis of Eucalyptus sp. was carried out in four different wood moistures, 0, 20, 40 and 60% (dry base). The charcoal and gas yield decreased according to the increase of wood moisture. On the other hand, the bio-oil yield and charcoal friability increased along with the moisture content. The proximate analysis, bulk density and higher heating value of the charcoal were not influenced by the moisture content. The use of wood with moisture content below 20% in the production of charcoal is an alternative to improve productivity, contributing for the economic sustanainability of this sector.