10.07.2024 by Dr. Carolin Fischer
Which Charcoal is the Best?
Analysis with the New STA 509 Jupiter® and A Glance at the Tradition of the Fichtelgebirge
Already in the Middle Ages, the Fichtelgebirge (region around Selb) benefited from the large wood resources as a source of energy. For the processing of iron ore into iron charcoal was the most important energy source. Only the burning of charcoal made it possible to reach the high temperatures of more than 1500°C to melt iron, charcoal was produced in more than 40 charcoal piles* in the forests around Selb. [1]
In the meantime, the traditional charcoal burning belongs to the UNESCO immaterial cultural heritage list. [2]
Every year in around Corpus Christi, this old traditional craft is redone to remember the tradition and to produce a small portion of high-quality charcoal.
[1]Holzköhlerei: Europäische Natur- und Kulturlandschaft Häuselloh (enklselb.com)
[2]Bundesweites Verzeichnis Immaterielles Kulturerbe | Deutsche UNESCO-Kommission
Briefly explained:
*Charcoal Piles: A charcoal kiln (pile, for short) is a covered pile of wood that is set on fire by a charcoal burner to produce charcoal. The process of burning charcoal in a pile is called "pile burning" and is a controlled charring process that can take several days to weeks. During this time, the pile must be carefully monitored and occasionally resealed to ensure that the conditions inside remain constant. The charcoal kiln festival is a traditional festival celebrated in many regions where the production of charcoal in charcoal kilns has historical significance. At a charcoal kiln festival, a charcoal kiln is often erected and lit to demonstrate and celebrate the charcoal-making process. The festival not only serves to maintain old craft traditions, but also to promote socializing and cultural exchange.
Best Charcoal Quality with the NETZSCH STA 509 Jupiter®
The quality of the resulting charcoal can be easily checked by the NETZSCH STA Jupiter® Series. The simultaneous thermal analyser detects temperature dependant-mass changes and energetic effect on one and the same sample.
Two different samples, one from the charcoal pile and the second from the pitchstone setup (10 mg each) were heated in a nitrogen atmosphere to 500°C and in an air atmosphere between 500°C and 900°C (see figure 1). In the first heating step, residual organic compounds were pyrolyzed, before the total carbon content was burned in the second step. At the end of the measurement, the residual mass can be related to the Ash ContentThe ash is a measure of the mineral oxide content on a weight basis. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in an oxidative atmosphere is a well-proven method to determine the inorganic residue, commonly referred to ash, in organic materials such as polymers, rubbers, etc. Therefore, the TGA measurement will identify if a material is filled and calculates the total filler content.ash content.
In this case, the two samples showed significant different organic contents, and consequently also different carbon contents. The Ash ContentThe ash is a measure of the mineral oxide content on a weight basis. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in an oxidative atmosphere is a well-proven method to determine the inorganic residue, commonly referred to ash, in organic materials such as polymers, rubbers, etc. Therefore, the TGA measurement will identify if a material is filled and calculates the total filler content.ash content differed by only 0.5 %. Also the released heat during combustion was detected by the DSC signal and showed a difference between both samples of about 10000 J. For high- quality charcoal, low organic and Ash ContentThe ash is a measure of the mineral oxide content on a weight basis. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in an oxidative atmosphere is a well-proven method to determine the inorganic residue, commonly referred to ash, in organic materials such as polymers, rubbers, etc. Therefore, the TGA measurement will identify if a material is filled and calculates the total filler content.ash content and a high amount of carbon and released heat is favored.
In this case, it was proven that the traditionally made charcoal reaches at least the level of industrially produced charcoals available in each supermarket and are best suited for a perfect barbecue.
Read also our application note “Quality Differences in Commercial Charcoal“:
By the way: This year, the charcoal from Selb Enklverein will be sold on July, 27th . :-)
