Effect of Wood Size and Stacking on Pyrolysis Process using Prosopis Juliflora

This paper analyses different stacking position and wood size to obtain the most effective parameters to obtain maximum yield from the chosen plant, which is Prosopis juliflora. It is available abundantly and has the ability to grow at an astounding rate. Proximate analysis is used to determine the composition of wood and charcoal obtained. Charcoal is extracted from wood by subjecting it to pyrolysis process at a temperature of 400°C for 4 hours. Conical, Vertical cylinder, Horizontal cylinder, Vertical square, Horizontal square and Cross stacking are six types of stacking arrangement and twigs, logs and roots are the three wood sizes which are chosen for the experiment. Two trials were conducted to find the efficient stacking position. Among the stacking arrangement Vertical cylinder stacking was chosen to be more efficient with a good yield of 24.1% and less unburnt wood of 0.3%. Four trials were conducted to identify the most efficient wood size. Among the wood sizes roots are found to be more efficient with the highest yield of 34%. This is due high moisture and low ash content of roots.