[Stoves] MUST CHARCOAL BE A CAUSE FOR CONCERN?

[Otto Formo]

Dear Rogerio,
to my knowledge the answer is YES.
I saw this publication some years back and I notice the lagre scale "metal-kiln" or factory production of charcoal in France and Poland.
That`s when I realize the TLUD ND was a "micro kiln" to utilize the gases in the biomass during pyrolysis to get a end product of charcoal or biochar, if you like.

It seems "FAO" was mot aware that there was also very fuel efficient stoves like the TLUD`s, and not only efficient charcoal stoves.

The other part of the "story" is:
To produce charcoal in traditional kilns you "need" to cut down the whole tree, while using TLUD`s you can utillize the branches and even better, all kind of dry biomass from agri- and forest business.
As a bonus I would say you get charcoal or biochar to be used for further cooking or as a soil improvement remedie.

I very much agree that charcoal is easier to "handle" and transport, due to the fact it is an "improved" or refined fuel with much more energy content pr kg than ordinary wood.
So the next step forward is to make an improved fuel out of any type of biomass, namely pellets or briquetts.
Next and the "only" challange" is to compete with charcoal on production and prize.
End of the charcoal story.........at least for my concern.

Otto

> From: rogerio carneiro de miranda [carneirodemiranda at gmail.com]
> Sent: 2010-10-12 02:26:26 MEST
> To: stoves at lists.bioenergylists.org
> Subject: [Stoves] MUST CHARCOAL BE A CAUSE FOR CONCERN?
> 
> Stovers:
> 
> I found the following quote on a FAO publication
> (http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/y4450e/y4450e10.htm), and I
> wonder if this is a correct statement responding to the question :
> 
> "Must charcoal be a cause for concern?
> 
> The shift from fuelwood to charcoal, even if it lasts only a few
> decades, could have major ecological consequences if it is not kept
> under control. However, since charcoal stoves are more efficient than
> wood stoves, the ratio of primary energy to usable energy is almost
> the same as with fuelwood. Thus with adequate supervision, management
> and support, the shift does not need to disrupt present levels of
> resource use."
> 
> What do you think?  Can at the end, with actual stoves and charcoaling
> efficiencies, be the wood consumption the same?
> 
> Rogerio
> 
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