YIELD, QUALITY AND MARKET OF CHARCOAL IN EARTH OVENS IN XOXOCOTLA, VERACRUZ
YIELD, QUALITY AND MARKET OF CHARCOAL IN EARTH OVENS IN XOXOCOTLA, VERACRUZ
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.3174262401118
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Palavras-chave: Quercus laurina, Quercus crassifolia, análisis proximal de carbón, calidad, precio
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Keywords: Quercus laurina, Quercus crassifolia, proximate charcoal analysis, quality, price.
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Abstract:
This study was carried out with the purpose of knowing the yield, quality and price of charcoal in Mexico, produced in its traditional artisanal form, that is, in earth ovens. We worked with charcoal producers in the communities of "Corratel" and "El Pelado" in the municipality of Xoxocotla, Veracruz. Four oak trees (Quercus laurina and Quercus crassifolia) were felled and cubed to determine the charcoal yield (kg) produced in earth ovens. The quality of the charcoal produced was analyzed and the following parameters were evaluated: calorific value, moisture content, ash content, fixed carbon content and volatile content; aspects of commercialization and potential market were analyzed. Density data were obtained for the oak wood, the wood was cubed before charcoal production, and all the charcoal was weighed at the end of the process. To cover the quality analysis, charcoal samples were taken from three different kiln heights: high, medium and low. The results obtained determined that about 8.5 m3 oak wood rolls are required to produce one ton of charcoal. To cover the market analysis, production costs were obtained and interviews and surveys were conducted with producer-consumers. The average yield obtained per cubic meter of wood was 18%. The highest calorific values are contained in the charcoal located in the highest part of the kiln, and with respect to the quality related to the parameters evaluated, all the charcoal had good characteristics, meeting most of the international marketing standards. The product is mainly marketed locally and a large part is destined for direct consumption.
The results show that the earth kilns have low yields, their combustion is vertical with little uniformity; the market demand for charcoal is high and the supply does not meet consumption needs. One deficiency of charcoal produced by artisanal methods is that it does not fully comply with international requirements and specifications, which does not contribute to its international positioning.
- Martha Elena Fuentes López
- Gelacio Xocua Oltehua
- Edna Elena Suárez Patlán
- Juan Carlos Tamarit Urias
- Juan Quintanar Olguin