CARBONIZATION OF JUTE STICK, AN AGRICULTURAL WASTE

The hollow structure of jute stick posed some problems for its carbonization at elevated temperatures but a suitable condition was found which will carbonize jute stick in a controlled manner to give, in good yield, a light-weight, smokeless, charcoal in chip form with a high fixed-carbon content. The ash content of jute-stick charcoal is significantly lower than that of hard-wood charcoal and it is 20-30% lighter. Possible avenues for uses of the charcoal from such agro-waste are indicated.