Charcoal: A Value Addition Option For Utilizing Tree Waste

Charcoal is a common form of fuel derived from wood. Potential multipurpose tree species are available in the study area and their plant parts can be used for the charcoal making. Present study was under taken to see the suitability of different tree species for charcoal making and study the quality of charcoal prepared from different tree species. Charcoal was prepared using the improved paraboloid mobile charcoal making kiln developed by ARTI, Pune. The experiment was laid with five treatments; (T1-Prosopis, T2-Babul, T3-Subabul, T4-Bamboo and T5-Teak) with five replications. The highest percent of ash after complete burning of charcoal was found in Teak (31.31%) and the lowest was found in Prosopis (25.17%). The time required for the complete combustion was found highest in Prosopis (19 min.) and the lowest was found in Teak (15 min.). The litter of Prosopis juliflora is suitable for preparation of charcoal as it has less ash content; time required for complete combustion is more and has high calorific value as compared to Acacia, Subabul, Bamboo and Teak species.