Understanding how to make charcoal from coconut shell is essential for developing sustainable and efficient biomass utilization. Modern pyrolysis technology turns this waste material into stable biochar with diverse applications — from clean energy to soil improvement and carbon removal. This process promotes low-carbon circular economy and contributes to sustainable development goals (SDGs).
How to Make Charcoal from Coconut Shell: Working Process
Step 1: Coconut Shells Pretreatment
You need to determine whether further drying or crushing is necessary based on the moisture content and size of the coconut shell raw material.
- Crushing (optional): Use a crusher to process coconut shells into target sizes (less than 20mm).
- Drying (optional): Use a dryer to keep coconut shells’ moisture content below 15%.
Step 2: Coconut Shells Pyrolysis
- Feeding: Screw belt conveyor transports coconut shells into the biochar reactor. Make sure the reactor is tightly sealed to maintain a low-oxygen environment. This prevents the shells from burning completely and turning to ash.
- Heat Reactor: Ignite the combustion chamber to gradually heat the reactor. Aim for a temperature range of 250°C to 450°C.
- Pyrolysis Process: As the temperature rises, the coconut shells begin to undergo thermal decomposition. During this phase, the volatile gases and liquids are released, leaving behind solid carbon-rich biochar/charcoal.
- Cooling Discharging: Allow the reactor to cool down with the water-cooling system. Do not open the furnace immediately, as sudden exposure to air can cause the charcoal to ignite. After cooling, carefully collect the charcoal.
Step 3: Charcoal Briquettes Forming (Optional)
- Add Binder: Mix charcoal powder with a binder to help it adhere together in the charcoal briquette machine. The typical binder percentage should be 10% – 13% for plant-based or 3% – 5% for chemical binders.
- Mixing and Pressing: Double shaft mixer and wheel mill will uniformly mix charcoal powder with additives. Then the molding machine will press it into the shape and size you want, such as charcoal sticks, spherical charcoal.
- Drying Briquettes: The dryer will remove this moisture to ensure that the briquettes are properly cured.
Practical Projects of Making Charcoal from Coconut Shell
2-4m³/h Coconut Shell to Charcoal Project
Project Goals
Efficiently recycle coconut shells to produce high-quality biochar for BBQ applications.Project Status
Installation Completed | OperatingProject Outcomes
- Process 2–4 m³ of coconut shells per hour, significantly reducing agricultural waste and promoting sustainable resource utilization.
- Produce high-quality BBQ charcoal, adding value to local coconut industries.
2-4m³/h Coconut Shell to Charcoal Project
Project Goals
Recycle coconut shells to produce high calorific value charcoal for energy fuel.Project Status
Installation Completed | OperatingProject Outcomes
- Reduce dependence on non-renewable energy sources and contributed to lower carbon emissions.
- Promote community awareness of waste resource recovery and environmental conservation.
From Compliance Pyrolysis to EBC-Certified Coconut Shell Charcoal
| Load Capacity | EBC Standard | German Laboratory | Chinese Laboratory |
|---|---|---|---|
| H/C Molar Ratio | <0.4 – 0.7 | 0.45 (Generally Meets All Application Standards) | 0.11 – 0.32 |
| Heavy Metal | Depends on Specific Application | Fully Meet All | Fully Meet All |
| PAHS-8 | Depends on Specific Application | Fully Meet All | / |
| PAHS-16 | <6 mg/kg | Compliant with EBC-Feed, Urban, Basic Material | Slightly above EBC Feed-Plus, Agro-Bio, Agro |
| 0.2 mg/kg |
Core Quality Indicators
- High Fixed Carbon Content (>75%): Beston biochar machine uses precise high-temperature, oxygen-limited pyrolysis to maximize the conversion of organic matter in coconut shells into stable fixed carbon. The final biochar exceeds 75% fixed carbon content, ensuring long-term stability and efficient carbon removal effect.
- Low H/C Mole Ratio (<0.4): Through complete pyrolysis, the volatile components, as well as hydrogen and oxygen elements, are effectively driven off, resulting in a highly aromatic and stable carbon structure. This lowers the H/C mole ratio to well below 0.4, meeting the stringent EBC standard.
Environmental Compliance
- Heavy Metal Control: Coconut shells naturally contain very little heavy metal. Furthermore, Beston charcoal machine’s sealed design and high-temperature control prevent heavy metal migration. The levels of As, Cd, Pb, and other heavy metals in the biochar remain within the strict EBC limits, avoiding contamination of soil and water sources.
- Organic Pollutant Control: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) primarily arise from incomplete combustion. Beston biochar machine optimizes temperature control and syngas recycling system, ensuring clean and complete combustion. This minimizes the formation of PAHs, ensuring the biochar meets EBC standards.
Puro.earth Vetted BST-50S: A New Way to Launch Your CDR project
Beston biochar production equipment (BST-50S Model), vetted by Puro.earth, offers a reliable and efficient solution for carbon removal projects. Here are key points on how these projects can be implemented:
Carbon Sequestration
By converting organic waste materials into biochar, our carbonization process sequesters carbon in a stable, long-term form. This can significantly reduce the overall carbon footprint of industries.
Sustainable Waste Management
The equipment can process a variety of biomass feedstocks, such as agricultural waste, forestry residues, and organic by-products, contributing to sustainable waste management practices.
Obtain CORCs
Through Puro.earth vetting, our equipment enables customers to obtain Carbon Dioxide Removal Certificates (CORCs), ensuring that projects are both effective and compliant with carbon offset regulations.
Verification and Monitoring
Puro.earth’s vetting ensures that carbon removal activities are continuously monitored and verified, giving stakeholders confidence in the long-term environmental impact of the project.
How to Prepare a Project to Make Charcoal from Coconut Shells?
01 Biomass Feedstocks
02 Industrial-grade Biochar Machine
03 Factory Site
04 Experienced Workers
Biomass Feedstocks: Coconut Shells
To maintain production levels, a stable and consistent supply of coconut shells is essential. You can know the information below to source waste coconut shells to make charcoal.
- Source: Waste coconut shells, fibers, and residual coconut meat from coconut plantations and processing factories.
- Quantity: Approximately 50 million coconut shells are discarded annually.
- Major Producers: Indonesia, the Philippines, and India, which together account for 70% of global coconut production.
- Potential Value: Coconut shells are energy-rich(rich in cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) and inexpensive, making charcoal production feasible.
Industrial-grade Biochar Machine
The production process requires a coconut shell charcoal machine with specific features:
- Temperature Regulation: ensure the quality of the output charcoal.
- Safety Designs: ensure safety of machine operation and personal safety of workers.
- Waste Emission control: effective control of wastewater, waste residue, and exhaust gas.
Factory Site
A suitable factory site may meet the following criteria:
- Space Requirements: Adequate space for the charcoal machine, and storage for raw materials and finished products.
- Suggestion: Setting up factories in the above-mentioned countries where coconut shell waste is abundant is a good choice because it can save some transportation costs. Or if you have planned a specific sales area to sell finished charcoal, you can also build a factory next to it.
Experienced Workers
Efficient production requires skilled and trained workers:
- Operate Machinery: Capable of handling the charcoal machine and managing the production process.
- Material Handling: Efficiently manage raw materials and finished products.
- Safety Protocols: Undergo training programs to understand and implement safety protocols and operating procedures.
Final Thoughts
The process of how to make charcoal from coconut shell illustrates how biomass recycling can evolve through modern technology and environmental awareness. Continued research and responsible application of such methods will be essential to advancing sustainable production and carbon neutrality. Further insights into how coconut charcoal is made will be shared on LinkedIn.
