Coconuts are one resources that could be considered infinitely sustainable. The hardy trees and their versatile nuts can be found on the coasts of every continent, except Antarctica. Coconuts have been used in thousands of different products from cosmetics and food stuffs to industrial lubricants.
Today’s article will discuss the value of coconuts as a source of fuel used across the world.
Coconut shell charcoal is highly valued for its low smoke and aromatic smell when cooked, making it highly suitable for old fashioned indoor stoves. His specially crafted type of charcoal is also valuable in the refining process of golds and can be ground into granular bits that have applications in the creation of explosives as well as municipal water treatments.
There are many ways that this abundant resource can be transformed into top quality fule. This article will explain how this can be done in the comfort of your home workshop with a 50-gallon barrel, some simple tools and an afternoon to build. While the important thing is to get a piece of biochar production equipment.
How to Build a Coconut Shell Charcoal Making Machine
This simplistic kiln can be crafted from your regular 50-gallon barrel with a few adjustments. First, visually imagine the upright barrel as three separate operating sections. — bottom, top and middle. Each section will need 6 1.5 inch holes drilled into their sides, which can be opened and shut for air intake control. The top of this drum will also need a chimney that can be added and removed as needed.
The limited air intake in a burning kiln is what transforms the coconut shells into charcoal. So, monitor this carefully according to the following instructions.
After your charcoal making equipment is constructed you will need a lot of coconut shells to feed the kiln and transform into charcoal. Fill the bottom section of the barrel with charcoal and leave a circular section in the middle where a fire will be started. Ignite a few pieces of coconut shells with a couple of drops of kerosene and set it in the center of the bottom section.
Once the other coconut shells begin to ignite, on plenty more coconut shells until the top and middle sections are full.
The flames will rise some more and you will then need to shut all the holes in the middle section and top section, put the chimney on the top and begin limiting air intake. As the charcoal is formed the shells will shrink and sink to the bottom of the barrel, as this happens you will regularly refill the kiln to maximize production.
The continuous coconut shell carbonizing machine will begin deep in the barrel and through the intake holes in the bottom level will soon with the glow of glowing carbon. This is a good sign, a sign that the shells are no charcoal. Extinguish them by closing the holes on the bottom section.
Open the holes on the middle and top sections. The same glow will then move upwards toward the top section. It is the time to close off the holes in this section and open those in the bottom section. Once the carbonization process has been completed throughout the entire kiln, you can close all holes and leave the product to cool off for the next 7-9 hours.