Combustion behaviors of molded bamboo charcoal: Influence of pyrolysis temperatures

To investigate the effect of pyrolysis temperatures on combustion behaviors of bamboo charcoal, molded bamboo rods were carbonized from 200 to 800 °C under the nitrogen atmosphere. Combustion characteristics were determined using thermogravimetric and cone calorimeter. The results showed that pyrolysis temperatures significantly influenced the combustion features of bamboo charcoal. The increase of pyrolysis temperatures decreased the absolute content percentage of carbon, sulfur, oxygen, hydrogen, volatiles, H/C, O/C, energy yield, heat release rate, total heat release, total suspended particulates values, but increased carbon densification factor, fuel ratio, energy enrichment factor, calorific value improvement, the average release of CO and CO2, and effective heat of combustion. The pyrolysis temperature of 350 °C was an essential point in the disappearance of volatile combustion. The maximum HHV of 32.44 MJ/kg occurred at 650 °C of temperature, but the maximum activation energy of 153 kJ/mol was found at 550 °C of temperature. The release rate of elements during pyrolysis was O > H > C > S. The lab-made bamboo charcoal had better combustion behaviors than commercial charcoal. This study will be helpful to convert bamboo biomass to solid biofuel in China. [Display omitted] •The release rates of elements showed O > H > C > S in the pyrolysis process.•The highest HHV occurred at 650 °C rather than increased with the pyrolysis temperature rising.•The maximum activation energy showed at pyrolysis temperature 550 °C.•CONE testing is an effective way to evaluate the combustion characteristics of molding charcoal.•The combustion properties of lab-made charcoal are better than commercial charcoal.