Novel microwave carbonization system for coconut shells

Abstract

This paper presented a novel heating technique of biomass carbonization system using microwave radiation. The heating system employs multi-feed microwave generators for uniform heating distribution without stirrer mechanism in a 0.847 m3 cylindrical low cement castable reactor. The experiment entailed the carbonization of 3,500 kg of coconut shell at 450°C for 10 hr. Afterward, the charcoal and wood vinegar yields were analyzed; meanwhile, uncondensed gases were treated to fuel the engine-generator system. The results show that the proposed approach greatly saves the production time of charcoal yields and allows ease of control. © (2013) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.