DESIGN AND EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF FURNACE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BAMBOO CHARCOAL

This paper presents the study of carbonization systems for the production of Bamboo Charcoal which is formed on dry distillation of raw bamboo. The paper mentions the drawbacks of the conventional practices of production of Bamboo Charcoal. Design of a new charcoal production unit is aimed at eliminating the identified drawbacks in the present methodology of production making the process of production faster and more efficient by minimizing heat loss during the production process. Designing is attempted with strong consideration for manufacture, operational cost and ease of operation of the furnace as the process finds application amongst rural people with little or no technical knowhow, making simplicity of design absolutely critical for implementation of the developed technology. Results of testing and experimentation presented in this paper describe the working prototype confirming qualitative and quantitative improvements in the bamboo charcoal being produced as compared to the conventional method of production.