Evolution of Carbonization Technologies in Benin and Worldwide: State of the Art

Abstract

Charcoal is one of the most widely used energy sources in the world. Primarily used in domestic energy sectors and medicine, it is also extensively utilized in metallurgy. However, the technologies used for its production are poorly understood, and the most commonly used methods, particularly in Africa, result in low yields and inconsistent charcoal quality. The aim of this study is to inventory charcoal production technologies and analyze their impact on yield and quality. To do this, we referred to the literature (scientific articles, dissertations, etc.) to identify various technologies and their operations. Our research reveals that charcoal yield and quality are linked to carbonization time and temperature. The longer the carbonization process, the lower the yield. Furthermore, incomplete carbonization produces charcoal with high volatile matter content (low quality). Regarding temperature, the higher it is, the faster the carbonization process and the better the charcoal quality. Industrial kilns offer the best quality charcoal. The optimal carbonization temperature for high-quality charcoal is between 600˚C and 700˚C. High-quality charcoal should contain at least 50% carbon and approximately 30% volatile matter. The highest yields do not exceed 35% - 40%.