A novel mechanical kiln for bamboo molded charcoals manufacturing

To upgrade the industrial techniques of bamboo molded charcoals (BMCs), a novel mechanical kiln was designed with the new heating method, high pyrolysis efficiency, and reuse of self-release gaseous. In this research, BMC-1 and BMC-3 were produced by novel mechanical kiln with pyrolysis temperature 650 °C (5090 min) and 389 °C (5430 min). BMC-2 was produced by brick kiln with pyrolysis temperature 680 °C (22505 min). Proximate and kinetic analyses, Cone Calorimetry, and X-ray fluorescence were used to investigate the energy properties and ash fusion characteristics of BMCs. It was concluded that the efficiency of novel mechanical kiln was increased by 320.44%, compared with brick kiln. The physical and mechanical performs of BMCs were improved by novel mechanical kiln. The ash, fixed carbon and moisture content of BMC-1 and BMC-3 met the requirements of EN 1860-2:2005. All BMCs had a stable combustion process, but BMC-1 and BMC-3 owned a higher reactivity and a lower mean yield of CO (1.78 kg/kg) and CO2 (15.12 kg/kg). In addition, the novel mechanical kiln increased the content of SiO2 and reduced the content of alkali metal in ash samples, resulting in variation of fusion characteristics and reducing the risk of fouling. These findings will be helpful to provide a scientific guidance to optimize the manufacturing process of BMCs.