Hardwood Charcoal as a Forest Product for the Utilization of Low Grade Southern Hardwoods

Charcoal production by itself is a marginal operation and much charcoal is produced as a byproduct of the distillation of wood. Markets for large volumes of charcoal are limited. The estimated yearly production is 300,000 tons. Charcoal results from a series of thermal processes on wood: drying and heating first to 300?F., partial decomposition to 500?F., exothermic decomposition to a maximum of 750? to 800?F. where complete carbonization occurs and, finally, anaerobic cooling to reduce the temperature below ignition point. Methods of producing charcoal are: pit or mound, kiln, retort and continuous (rotary kiln and blast furnace types). One charcoal kiln operation uses low-grade hardwoods and yields 800 pounds per cord of wood.

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