Collection of pyroligneous fluid of <i>Eucalyptus cloeziana</i> wood carbonization in surface kilns

Abstract

An evaluation was made based on the efficiency of a zinc tube 8m long, with an internal diameter varying from 0.30 m to 0.10 m, attached in the lower part of a surface kilns furnace close to the holes of the base for the cooling of smoke and the consequent collection of pyroligneous fluid, as the  traditional method of carbonization. The tube had an independent, closing system of the “butterfly” type, 0.45 m from the bottom. The furnace was built with a capacity of approximately 12.4 m³ of firewood, producing an average of 1,100 kg of charcoal and 110 kg of pyroligneous fluid after five  carbonizations. The result was confirmed considering the amount in percentage of the fluid collected, related to the total amount of firewood used in the carbonization. The collector was efficient, however, some adjusts were necessary. The fraction collected can be used in the property itself, as a natural preservative to wood, or even for further selling, and also to reduce the amount of pollutants released to the atmosphere. The resultant charcoal of the five carbonizations after characterization presented satisfactory chemical characteristics, mainly because of the high fixed carbon content and low ash content.