Sanon, Antoine

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    Evaluation of tropical bamboo species with potential as a renewable source for charcoal
    (2008) Sanon, Antoine; Papadopoulos, Christopher; College of Agricultural Sciences; Valencia, Elide; Brian, Irish; Other; Zapata, Rocio
    This research investigated the use of bamboo as a highly renewable primary material for charcoal production. Bamboo (Bambusaea) is an efficient, accessible and economical resource that can meet the demand for fuel and provide added income while mitigating land ecosystem damaged. Bamboo charcoal has been tested and proven to be a viable biomass in many countries for domestic use and commercial applications. The potential to develop bamboo charcoal in Haiti, where over 85% of the population relies on biomass energy for domestic uses was explored. This research sourced samples of 19 tropical bamboo species maintained at USDA-ARS Tropical Agricultural Research Station (TARS) in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, to measure its calorific value. Three tree wood species, Caoba, (Swietenia Mahogany), Mango, (Mangifera indica), and Ucar (Bucida buceras) were tested to compare its calorific value. For each bamboo and tree species, three replications were prepared in raw form (air dried or oven dried, but not carbonized), and three replications were carbonized to produce charcoal. Carbonization was performed in a metal can, fueled by propane, at a peak temperature of 500oC. Calorific value for each raw and charcoal sample was determined using the IKA Oxygen Bomb Calorimeter. The mean results showed that bamboo charcoal has higher calorific value range than raw bamboo wood (25.92MJ/kg vs 17.97MJ/kg), and also has similar calorific value to tree wood charcoal (25.92MJ/kg vs 26.78MJ/kg). Raw bamboo also has similar calorific value as raw tree wood (17.97MJ/kg vs 17.26MJ/kg). The research also determined that calorific value is not related to wall thickness. These results, which show similar capacities for bamboo and tree wood, has potential to sustainably impact the local environment, because charcoal producers can explore the use of bamboo as a viable alternative to tree wood. Finally, through conversations with local charcoal producers in Haiti, this research reveals a consciousness of the negative environmental impacts of using trees for charcoal, and a willingness to experiment with bamboo as an alternative.