A technology for producing high quality charcoal was developed by the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI). The technology is developed under the project, “High Quality Charcoal from Bamboo for Industrial Uses,” which is being monitored and funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
The project aims to produce high quality charcoal for various industrial uses through the improvement of an existing charcoaling kiln. Engr. Belen B. Bisana, project leader from FPRDI, designed the machine. 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.
Engr. Bisana emphasized 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% of charcoal, compared with the traditionally used pit, drum, and brick kilns, which can only yield 25-31%.
To monitor and evaluate the project, the Forestry and Environment Research Division (FERD) of PCAARRD conducted a two-day site visit in Bayambang, Pangasinan. Dr. Leila C. America, FERD Officer-In-Charge, led the monitoring team composed of Dr. Nimfa K. Torreta, PCAARRD Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) Manager for Bamboo and Biodiversity, and Eirene Grace C. Zaragoza, also of FERD.
Classified under DOST-PCAARRD’s strategic R&D banner program, the developed technology is envisioned to alleviate poverty by creating employment in the rural areas. The next phase of the project is the development of products out of bamboo charcoal and bamboo vinegar.
