Charcoal from bamboo

A kiln furnace (even) developed by government researchers in Los Baños, Laguna, can produce good quality charcoal and light distillate from the bamboo species kauayan tinik and botong.

The kiln is the product of the collective efforts of four researchers of the Department of Science and Technology-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI), Belen Bisara, Amando Allan Bondad, Dante Pumano, and Carolyn Garcia.

Their research project, titled "Design and Fabrication of Kiln for Bamboo Charcoal and Light Distillate/Pyroligenous Liquor Production," won the top award (development category) in the 2006 National Symposium on Agriculture and Resources Research and Development (NSARRD), organized by the Los Baños-based DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD).

The innovative kiln is a modified version of the traditional one, which has no provision for distillate recovery. A bamboo light distillate is a pyroligenous (obtained by destructive distillation of wood) liquor formed during the distillation process.

The furnace was constructed with the use of cast iron grates and castable refractory cement as insulator capable of withstanding 1,350 degrees Celsius. It can adequately process 90 kilograms of air-dried bamboo at a time.

FPRDI, currently headed by Director Florence Soriano, said charcoal derived from bamboo is like activated carbon, hence, can purify water, remove odor, keep food fresh, and maintain soil alkalinity.

It is also believed that the infrared rays emitted by the charcoal can help maintain blood circulation. It can likewise be used in electronics and battery manufacture.

On the other hand, the bamboo light distillate can treat allergies and soar throat, can be used as an antiseptic, skin and hair conditioner, and air cleanser. Moreover, it has been found effective as bathroom deodorizer and can prolong the vase life of fresh flowers and plants. – Rudy A. Fernandez