uncrichie Posted April 4, 2014 Posted April 4, 2014 Hi everyone. What would be the weight reduction of wood when it turns to charcoal. In other words if I were to cook down 10 pounds of Eastern White Pine what would the approximate weight of the charcoal be? Thanks, Kurt.
TYRONEEZEKIEL Posted April 5, 2014 Posted April 5, 2014 It depends on the wood itself. The results are going to vary individually for each species of wood. I'd like to experiment and try it out.
Mumbles Posted April 5, 2014 Posted April 5, 2014 In a standard retort it's going to depend on species and cooking temperature. Hotter you cook it, the higher carbon percentage you'll get, which generally means a lower mass yield. Typical recoveries are between 15 and 20%. It'd be safe to assume you're getting around a pound and a half to two pounds out of that. On a related note, there was a guy here a while ago, OldGuy, that did some experimentation on cooking charcoal under pressure. If you do this you can increase the mass yield up into the 50-60% regime. The cookers are of course more complicated to build and somewhat more dangerous to operate.
Wolverine Posted April 5, 2014 Posted April 5, 2014 On a related note, there was a guy here a while ago, OldGuy, that did some experimentation on cooking charcoal under pressure. If you do this you can increase the mass yield up into the 50-60% regime. The cookers are of course more complicated to build and somewhat more dangerous to operate. That barrel stove cooker of his is a thing of incredible beauty.http://www.amateurpyro.com/forums/gallery/image/1491-dd-loaded-woodjpg/
Nessalco Posted April 6, 2014 Posted April 6, 2014 Using a TLUD, I usually get recovery rates of 22-25%. It varies a little bit by species, but I'm only cooking a couple different woods. Kevin
Arthur Posted April 6, 2014 Posted April 6, 2014 Fully dry construction timber will yield about 15% mass of charcoal. Fresh cut tree will yield about 5% charcoal mass (because of the water content).
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