High quality charcoal produced from bamboo

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Science and Technology-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) has developed a charcoaling kiln to produce high quality charcoal from bamboo for industrial use.

Under the “High Quality Charcoal from Bamboo for Industrial Uses” project monitored and funded by the DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), a team of FPRDI researchers led by engineer Belen Bisana innovated on an existing bamboo charcoaling kiln.

The bamboo charcoaling kiln can also produce pyroligneous liquor (PL) or wood vinegar recovered from the destructive distillation of bamboo when it is converted into charcoal.

The technology for making high quality charcoal and PL is deployed at the CS First Green Agri-Industrial Development Inc.

Bisana explained that when bamboo is used as a raw material, the resulting charcoal can perform like activated carbon. 

The improved charcoaling kiln can yield 34.56-44.50 percent of charcoal, compared with the traditionally used pit, drum, and brick kilns, which can only yield 25-31 percent.

To monitor and evaluate the project, the Forestry and Environment Research Division of PCAARRD conducted a two-day site visit in Bayambang, Pangasinan. 

Classified under PCAARRD’s strategic research and development banner program, the developed technology is envisioned to alleviate poverty by creating employment in rural areas. The next phase of the project is the development of products out of bamboo charcoal and bamboo vinegar.