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EMISSIONS OF AIR TOXICS FROM A SIMULATED CHARCOAL KILN EQUIPPED WITH AN AFTERBURNER
Citation:
Lemieux, P. EMISSIONS OF AIR TOXICS FROM A SIMULATED CHARCOAL KILN EQUIPPED WITH AN AFTERBURNER. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/R-01/011, 2001.
Description:
A laboratory-scale simulator was constructed and tested to determine if it could be used to produce charcoal that was similar to the charcoal that is produced in Missouri-type charcoal kilns. An afterburner was added later to study conditions for oxidizing the volatile organic compounds contained in the combustion gases that are produced when wood is converted to charcoal. Five burns were conducted to shake down the operation of the afterburner; then four full burns were completed to measure the effectiveness of the afterburner. Based on these simplified studies on the effect of an afterburner on emissions from Missouri-type charcoal kilns, it appears that, while the afterburner can offer significant benefits under some conditions, the operation of the afterburner is not a trivial matter. A system such as a charcoal kiln, that relies on natural draft for operation, may be upset by the addition of an afterburner due to pressure changes in the stack that influence the natural draft. Optimizing the process, both in the sense of good charcoal quality and good afterburner performance, may be difficult without the benefit of continuous emission monitors.