charcoal process variables

[Matt]

Playing with (ways to make) fire.

A list of things we might consider varying in our future tests:
- grinding feedstock
- air inlets to single barrel kiln type
- feedstock segregation
- internal pressure (nested barrels kiln type)
- mixing of contents during burn (for uniform product?)
- time in each burn stage (full air, limited air, no air)
- intensity of initial fire (add air, like with a bellows, for hotter
burn)
- feedstock moisture content

- charcoal dust ("fines") storage
- binder types (examine effects on briquette's burn, strength)
- "twice-baked" briquettes (heating after binding)
- briquette mass, shape, dimensions, density, packing-ability

Antal states that out of testing thermal pretreatments, heating rate,
peak temperature, catalysts, feedstock composition, and "other
conditions," he found that "only elevated pressure and a prolonged
vapor phase residence time" increased yield significantly. Do we
believe these findings will hold true for charcoal produced in a
simple steel kiln without electric heaters and a pressurized
environment? In other words, do we focus solely on ways to increase
the pressure during the reaction?

Add your own!