Production and characterization of black charcoal from Bambusa vulgaris (Yellow Bamboo) and potentiality for advance applications

Abstract

Issues of air and water pollution and necessity of health care are becoming serious problem as the inter country and global industrialization accelerates. Finding solutions and speedy addressing to these problems via sustainable management and expansion of woody and non woody forest crops, extraction, eco and health friendly products development is increasingly important.  Environmentally and health friendly bamboo charcoal has greater potential and upcoming demand in the globe. Evaluation of higher carbonation temperature and characterization of charcoal properties compared to traditional carbonation temperature pave the way for modification of surface and absorbance properties of bamboo charcoal and expansion of areas applications. This paper provides a scientific research about the optimum carbonation temperature to produce charcoal from Bambusa vulgaris (yellow bamboo).  The bamboo culm was carbonized at four differed temperatures ranging from 600 to 950oC. Products of charcoal were characterized by SEM micrograph analysis, modules of rupture (MOR), calorific value, density, bulk density, density determination and water absorption determination. Optimum carbonization temperature to gain maximum property enhancement of bamboo charcoal was observed around 700 and 850 oC.  By changing carbonization temperature charcoal properties can be change. Removal and solidification of carbon in the flue gas during manufacturing and convert into usable foam of product development pave the way for the expansion of charcoal manufacturing industry without harmful damage to the environment.