Unusual raw materials of vegetable origin for the production of charcoal: coconut and walnut shells

The shells of various nuts, including coconut and walnuts, have a high density, and therefore are used for the production of charcoal. The use of plant waste is typical for countries with developing economies, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, India. Recycling of walnut shells is also a great idea for industries that use large quantities of nuts, which is a very profitable way to turn production waste into an additional source of profit.

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Nutshell charcoal has a number of characteristics: its pleasant aroma allows it to be used as a cooking fuel, and its grinding ability makes it possible to produce granular coal.

Coal production technology from coconut and walnut shells
There are several technologies for the production of coal from the nutshell, but the most optimal is the production in a charcoal kiln. In the process of pyrolysis with a limited supply of oxygen, a nut shell is burned, pre-selected, completely dried, cleaned of debris, dust and nut residues and crushed to the desired fraction. The prepared raw material enters the pyrolysis reactor, where it is fired at high temperatures without air access. This complex process produces pure carbon. During processing, the furnace temperature is maintained at 200-500 ° C.

After pyrolysis, the shell is crushed to a powdery state, the fraction is mixed with water and auxiliary components. The mass is kneaded and pressed in a press machine, expelling moisture and air. After that, the coal is crushed to the usual cubes or granules, then subjected to additional firing for bonding.

Properties of nut shell charcoal

  1. The resulting coal is an environmentally friendly product: the volume of ash that enters the environment during combustion is much less than that of other types of briquettes.
  2. Differs in high calorific value and burning duration.
  3. It has excellent sorption capacity and therefore is an excellent raw material for the further production of activated carbon.
  4. The special porous structure enhances the activity of the substance.
  5. Vegetable charcoal is very dense and durable, therefore it has excellent wear resistance.
  6. The oils contained in the fuel scent the room, and the flame has a pleasant shade for the eyes, which plays its own aesthetic role.
  7. Convenient for storage and transportation.
  8. Doesn’t get your hands dirty.
  9. Does not contain harmful impurities.

Experts say that one ton of such fuel (1.5 cubic meters) is equal to 5-6 cubic meters of birch firewood. That plays a significant role in reducing the deforestation of our planet’s “lungs”

Coal produced from coconut and walnut shells is used by gold miners, industrial water treatment (soft drink filling machines, breweries and water treatment companies), air and water filtration systems (from filter jugs to reverse osmosis systems), to remove impurities from solvents in the chemical industry. Coconut shell activated carbon is recognized as the best in comparison with coal from other raw materials. It is able to purify water of the highest quality due to its highly porous structure and strength. Activated carbon from coconut is very active and protects against organic vapors and gases, therefore it is used in the manufacture of industrial gas masks.

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For 20 years, Green Power has been manufacturing charcoal kilns that are environmentally friendly, because thanks to the latest technology, the flue gases do not pollute the atmosphere, but go back to the afterburner to ensure the pyrolysis process, low power consumption (0.01 kW) and autonomy of the furnace, the dropout rate is less than 1%. The BIO-KILN charcoal kiln, supporting a continuous production process, is designed for the production of high-quality charcoal from nutshells and other raw materials of vegetable origin, as well as for the further production of activated carbon, and even biochar, which is used in the agricultural industry. The following types of raw materials are loaded into the furnace – shells and kernels of fruit, wood chips, shrubs, seeds, bamboo and other raw materials of vegetable origin. Fraction should be 5 to 40 mm in size. and contain no more than 20% moisture. Productivity is 30-120 tons / month, depending on raw materials and furnace models. The content of non-volatile carbon in coal at the exit is from 75% to 95%.

The walnut shell coal business is designed to be profitable, as the raw materials for its manufacture are low cost, nuts have high nutritional properties and therefore planting walnut trees will always be profitable. This type of fuel is environmentally friendly (this also applies to the process of its production and the combustion process).