Influence of physical-anatomical wood variables on charcoal physical–mechanical properties

Abstract

This research assessed the relationship between wood physical-anatomical variables and charcoal physical–mechanical properties. Nine trees were harvested and mechanically processed into standard pieces for laboratory analysis. The following variables were determined: wood density, fiber length and width, fiber lumen diameter and wall thickness, fiber wall fraction, and vessel frequency. The charcoal was produced in a laboratory and gravimetric yield, relative density, and mechanical properties established. Pearson’s correlation coefficients, multivariate statistical analysis of canonical correlation, and principal component analysis were used to evaluate the relationship between wood and charcoal properties. Fiber width was not significantly correlated with charcoal properties. Charcoal bulk density, hardness, and strength were positively correlated with wood density, fiber length, wall thickness, and wall fraction. Charcoal properties were negatively correlated with fiber lumen diameter and vessel frequency. These results will help identify the best wood with adequate physical–mechanical properties for industrial charcoal processing.