Development of Wood Charcoal Making Kiln Suitable for the Rural Poor of Bangladesh

Abstract

This study was carried out to construct a low cost wood charcoal making kiln by using an empty oil drum. The performance of this kiln was examined using three types of wood which are abundantly available in Bangladesh. These were: Mango wood, Rain tree wood and physicnut wood. During the experimentation data on duration of burning, yield of charcoal, ash production and weight loss were recorded using the standard methods. Yield of the kiln was calculated using the standard formula. The yield of the kiln was 28.80 percent (by weight) using mango wood with an initial moisture content of 24.76 percent. The yield of the kiln varied with duration of burning time and also with the types of wood used. Physicnut produced about 25.11 percent charcoal when the moisture content of the wood was 36.27 percent. Similarly the efficiency of the kiln using Rain tree wood was 28.57 percent when the moisture content was 27.67 percent. This kiln is simple in construction and it can be constructed using locally available materials by the local artisan. A single person can operate this kiln easily. The construction cost also was very low (about Tk. 1300 = US$ 19). The poor people of the rural area in Bangladesh can easily use the drum kiln for producing charcoal.