Abstract
In Madagascar, 28.5% of households use charcoal for cooking. To meet this demand, local and traditional charcoal-making methods are being used, but they are not very efficient. This study examines three methods using local forest materials: i) MATI (Improved reversed-turn charcoal pile), which is currently being extended; ii) a hybrid charcoal pile (HB) used locally by charcoal makers; and iii) the traditional practice of ‘Doro Dedaka’ (DD). These techniques differ in the position of the vents, the humidity, and the arrangement of the wood to be charred in the charcoal pile. The aim is to compare the physico-chemical and energy characteristics of Eucalyptus robusta charcoal obtained using these methods. The gross yield of MATI is 25%, compared with 19% for HB and 12% for DD. The apparent densities of the coals from the three types of charcoal piles were statistically similar. A eucalyptus coal purchased on the market (coal x) was also characterised. Volatile matter was statistically similar for MATI, HB, and DD, while that of coal x was lower (12.19%). In addition, the ash content varied significantly between the different types of coal: HB coal had the lowest ash content (2.04%), while x coal had the highest (3.59%). The fixed carbon content of manufactured coals is almost identical, but that of x coal is slightly lower (75.02%). The MATI coal has the highest calorific value with 31,307 J/g, compared with 31,070 J/g for HB and 29,453 J/g for DD. Coal x has a calorific value of 29,723 J/g. These results show that MATI, with its high yield and optimum energy performance, is a promising alternative for improving the efficiency of charcoal production while preserving forest resources.