Costly Contamination

During Carbonization Process in Coconut Shell Charcoal

Manufacturing

By Jerome Pun

By Jerome Pun

Common Methods of Carbonization

A large opening is excavated into the ground and its wall is reinforced with bricks to prevent soil from getting into the pit.

By Jerome Pun

Common Methods of Carbonization

Kiln is constructed above the ground with brick wall shaped like an inverted cone.

By Jerome Pun

Common Methods of Carbonization

Popular among the villagers in the South East Asian region

By Jerome Pun

Low Barrier-to-Entry -- all you need is a few used metal drums, makes every village folk who has access to few kilograms of coconut shell a potential charcoal manufacturer!

By Jerome Pun

Major Contaminants: Brick

Coconut shells are exposed to or in contact with the brick wall during carbonization

By Jerome Pun

Major Contaminants: Brick, Sand & Soil

Presence of water (added into the kiln during cooling stage) causing brick debris, sand & soil to stick onto the charcoal

By Jerome Pun

Major Contaminants: Brick, Sand & Soil

Coconut shell charcoal is exposed to or in contact with sand and soil which somehow find their ways into the kiln

Presence of water (added into the kiln during cooling) causing brick debris, sand & soil to stick onto the charcoal

By Jerome Pun

Major Contaminants: Mineral Oxide Metal drums are prone to rust

(Iron (III) oxide) after being exposed to the elements (oxygen and water)

This is especially true when water is being hosed into the drums after carbonization process is complete in order to extinguish the red hot charcoal

Rust formed and accumulated on the inner surface of the drums somehow get rubbed off and come into contact with the charcoal, and the presence of water (from the hose) makes it easier for the rust to attach onto the charcoal.

By Jerome Pun

By Jerome Pun

By Jerome Pun

Good News!! There are solutions to problems faced during carbonization

Jerome Pun @sleepundercoco