Chemicals from Wood Carbonization and Distillation

CHEMICALS OBTAINED FROM WOOD CARBONIZATION AND DISTILLATION 

Wood distillation was used previously in the U.S. to make methanol, acetic acid, and acetone. Up to 1-2% per wood weight of methanol, 4-5% acetic acid, and 0.5% acetone can be obtained. Many years ago this was the only source of these compounds. It is no longer competitive with the synthetic processes. Some phenols can be obtained, as well as common gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, and hydrogen. 

The manufacture of charcoal, especially briquettes, has been increasing in demand. It is the residue after combustion of the volatiles from a hardwood distillation. It consists of elemental carbon and incompletely decomposed organic material and many adsorbed chemicals. Carbonization is usually performed at about 400-500 °C. The charcoal has a volatile content of 15-25% and can be made in about 37-46% yield by weight from wood. 

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