Physicochemical and energetic properties of charcoals produced from residues of two tropical woods from Cameroon Zam Jean Freddy 1 , Zobo Mfomo Joseph 1 , Mouangue Ruben 2 1 Laboratory of Forest Ressources and Wood Valorization, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon, 2 University of Douala, National Polytechnic School, Douala, Cameroon The aim of this study was to determine the physicochemical and hygroscopic properties of charcoals from Doussie ( Afzelia africana ) and Okan ( Cylicodiscuis gabunensis ), produced from residues of two tropical woods from Cameroon. The properties determined for these charcoals included physical (moisture content, basic density, high heating value) chemical (proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, FT-IR analysis) and hygroscopic (absorption, sorption) properties. Our results show that these properties differ between the two woods. Higher values were obtained with Okan, except for the fixed carbon content. A higher diffusion coefficient on water uptake was also observed with charcoal from Okan (3.25×10 -8 ± 0.22×10 -8 m 2 /s) compared to charcoal from Doussie (2.42× 10 -8 ± 0.21 ×10 -8 m 2 /s). The highest equilibrium moisture contents in sorption are obtained with charcoal from Okan. A relationship between hygroscopic behavior and charcoals properties has been found. In addition, an increase of initial moisture content of charcoals about 19% provokes a decrease in their initial fixed carbon content about 2% and in their initial high heating value about 2.5%. The charcoals studied are of good quality and meet the recommended standards for domestic use even in humid areas. The charcoal from Doussie has shown a lower volatile matter content of (22.93±0.51%) than that from Okan has value of (24.19±0.62%). Charcoal from Okan has displayed a lower fixed carbon content (67.52±0.57%) compared to that from Doussie (69,87±1,02%). References 1. Mfomo, Joseph Zobo, Achille Bernard Biwolé, Evariste Fedoung Fongzossie, Gilbert Tsoh Ekassi, Didier Hubert, Hugues Ducenne, Jean Gaston Tamba, and Ruben Mouangue. 2020. “Les Techniques de Carbonisation et Les Essences Utilisées Influencent Les Attributs de Qualité Des Charbons de Bois Produits Avec Des Déchets de Scierie Industrielle Dans l’Est- Cameroun.” BOIS & FORETS DES TROPIQUES 345 (3). CIRAD: 65–74. doi:10.19182/BFT2020.345.A31831. 2. Antwi-Boasiako, C, and M Glalah. 2021. “Proximate Analysis and Strength Properties of Carbonized Woods from the Most-Used Tropical Timbers from the Afram Plains, Ghana’s Charcoal Production Hub.” Journal of Sustainable Forestry . Bellwether Publishing, Ltd. doi:10.1080/10549811.2021.1948869.
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