YIELD AND CHARCOAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THREE BRAZILIAN SEMI-ARID REGION SPECIES

The research aimed to determine the yield of carbonizations and to characterize the charcoal produced of Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poir., Mimosa arenosa (Willd.) Poir. and Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan. var. cebil (Gris.) Alts, species of large occurrence in Brazilian semi-arid region and employed for energy (firewood and charcoal). Five trees of each species (Mimosa arenosa six trees) were cut and determined the yield of carbonizations and characterization of charcoal produced by studied species. The carbonizations and physical and chemical analyses of charcoal were performed in the Laboratory of Forest Products Technology (LTPF) of the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Para -ba, Brazil. In this work were determined the fixed carbon yield, real and apparent densities, porosity, calorific superior power, volatile material content, ash content, fixed carbon content and yield fixed carbon of the produced charcoals. The species showed charcoal yield and physical characteristics of charcoal similar. The charcoal produced with Mimosa tenuiflora presented minors volatile and ash contents, and greater fixed carbon content and fixed carbon yield, having presented best steel properties, for the purpose.