Charcoal making equipment

Abstract

To provide a charcoal making device which has few restrictions on installation location and is capable of carbonizing a variety of raw materials. [Solution] A charcoal production device comprising a charcoal making furnace, a smoke exhaust device, and a passage connecting the charcoal making furnace and the smoke exhaust device. The charcoal making furnace includes a base and a charcoal making unit installed on the base. The charcoal making unit includes a first section that contains the material to be made into charcoal and has an open top, a second section that is located above the base and below the first section, and a lid that covers at least the top of the first section. At least a portion of the boundary between the first section and the second section is made of mesh. The charcoal making unit has at least two openings that connect the inside and outside of the charcoal making unit, and at least one of the openings communicates with the passage.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a charcoal making device. [Background technology]

[0002] A known charcoal kiln includes an outer shell and a basket housed within the shell. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a charcoal kiln that includes a tapered, tunnel-shaped outer shell and a basket made of a perforated iron plate. In the charcoal kiln disclosed in Patent Document 1, the interior of the basket is divided into multiple sections, allowing multiple types of charcoal to be produced simultaneously in a single kiln.

[0003] Also known as charcoal making equipment is one that includes a charcoal kiln and a secondary combustion device. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a charcoal making equipment that includes a charcoal kiln with a double structure of an inner kiln and an outer kiln, and a secondary combustion chamber connected to the charcoal kiln. The charcoal making equipment in Patent Document 2 is provided with a secondary combustion chamber above the outer kiln, and it is described that the flue gas emitted from the charcoal kiln may be burned by a burner or may be directly heated by the heat of the charcoal kiln. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3390757 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-354971 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to utilize biomass generated in various places, a charcoal production device that can be installed in a variety of locations is desired. Also, a charcoal production device that can efficiently carbonize a variety of raw materials is desired.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a charcoal making apparatus that has few restrictions on installation location and is capable of carbonizing a variety of raw materials. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A charcoal making apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a charcoal making furnace, a smoke exhaust device, and a passageway connecting the charcoal making furnace and the smoke exhaust device. The charcoal making furnace includes a base and a charcoal making unit installed on the base. The charcoal making unit includes a first portion that contains an object to be made into charcoal and has an open top; The charcoal making unit includes a second part disposed on the base and below the first part, and a lid part covering at least the upper surface of the first part. At least a portion of the boundary between the first part and the second part is made of mesh. The charcoal making unit is provided with at least two openings communicating between the inside and outside of the charcoal making unit. At least one of the openings communicates with the passage. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the above-described charcoal making apparatus, there are few restrictions on the installation location, and it is possible to obtain a charcoal making apparatus that is capable of carbonizing a variety of raw materials. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a charcoal making apparatus according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a housing of a charcoal making furnace of a charcoal making apparatus according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a charcoal making furnace of the charcoal making apparatus according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the internal unit and base of the charcoal making furnace according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of an internal unit of a charcoal making furnace according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of an internal unit of a charcoal making furnace according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view and an exploded perspective view showing an example of an internal unit of a charcoal making furnace according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of a charcoal making unit of a charcoal making furnace according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a part of a charcoal making unit of a charcoal making furnace according to the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view and a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing an example of a charcoal making unit of a charcoal making furnace according to the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a tray included in a charcoal making unit of a charcoal making furnace according to the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a mode of use of the charcoal making device according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [Outline of the embodiment] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. A charcoal making apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a charcoal making furnace, a smoke exhaust device, and a passage connecting the charcoal making furnace and the smoke exhaust device. The charcoal making furnace includes a base and a charcoal making unit installed on the base. The charcoal making unit includes a first section that contains an object to be made into charcoal and has an open top, a second section that is located above the base and below the first section, and a lid that covers at least the top of the first section. At least a portion of the boundary between the first section and the second section is made of mesh. The charcoal making unit has at least two openings that connect the inside and outside of the charcoal making unit. At least one of the openings is connected to the passage.

[0011] Conventionally, charcoal kilns have been known that include an outer shell and a basket housed within the shell (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the charcoal kiln of Patent Document 1, the basket can be taken in and out through a door provided on the front of the outer shell. The basket is also divided into multiple sections. This configuration makes it easy to take in and out raw materials for charcoal production, and allows different raw materials to be placed in each section to produce charcoal. On the other hand, the charcoal kiln of Patent Document 1 houses multiple materials in one basket, so it is not possible to remove only specific materials during the charcoal production process. In addition, in this charcoal kiln, kindling is placed in the front-most section of the basket compartments.

[0012] In contrast, in the charcoal making apparatus according to the present disclosure, the charcoal making furnace includes a base and a charcoal making unit installed on the base. The charcoal making unit has a first section in which the material to be made into charcoal is accommodated, a second section placed below the first section, and a lid covering the top surface of the first section. At the start of charcoal making, kindling can be placed in the second section and burned. Furthermore, at least a portion of the boundary between the first and second sections is made of mesh. Therefore, heat from the combustion of the kindling is transferred from the entire underside of the first section to the material to be made into charcoal placed in the first section. This structure allows the material to be carbonized uniformly and quickly.

[0013] In conventional charcoal-making furnaces (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "sealed furnaces") in which carbonization proceeds within a sealed furnace, kindling is often placed in front of the charcoal material contained within the furnace. However, if kindling is placed only at the front of the furnace, heat circulation within the furnace is likely to become uneven. For this reason, high technology is required to control the placement of materials within the furnace and combustion. On the other hand, charcoal-making furnaces (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "open furnaces") in which carbonization proceeds within a furnace with an open top are also known. Generally, in open furnaces, the charcoal material is first placed at the bottom of the furnace and ignited, and then layers of charcoal material are stacked on top of it to create a steaming state and produce charcoal. However, open furnaces have difficulty maintaining high temperatures compared to sealed furnaces, and the time required for charcoal production can be longer.

[0014] The charcoal making apparatus according to the present disclosure has a charcoal making unit provided with a first section for storing charcoal making materials, a second section located below the first section for storing kindling, and a lid for covering the top surface of the first section. With this configuration, the charcoal making apparatus according to the present disclosure has the advantage of a closed furnace, namely, high temperature and short carbonization time, while also having the advantage of an open furnace, namely, the ease of applying heat uniformly to the material. This allows for efficient carbonization of a variety of materials.

[0015] In the charcoal making apparatus, the smoke exhaust device may include a combustor housed inside the smoke exhaust device. The combustor housed inside the smoke exhaust device functions as a so-called secondary combustor. The secondary combustor can make the smoke emitted from the charcoal making furnace colorless and odorless. This means that there are fewer restrictions on installation location, making it possible to install the charcoal making apparatus in urban areas or near residential areas and carry out charcoal production. In addition, various devices such as a generator that uses the thermal energy obtained from the secondary combustor can be attached.

[0016] In the charcoal making apparatus, the passage may connect two or more of the charcoal making furnaces to one of the smoke exhaust devices. In other words, the charcoal making apparatus according to the present disclosure may be a charcoal making apparatus in which two or more charcoal making furnaces are connected to one smoke exhaust device. Each charcoal making furnace includes a base and a charcoal making unit installed on the base. This makes it easy to use multiple charcoal making units depending on the material to be made and the desired timing. In the charcoal making apparatus according to the present disclosure, by connecting two or more charcoal making furnaces, different materials can be carbonized simultaneously. Furthermore, multiple charcoal making processes with different progress can be carried out simultaneously or sequentially. By staggering the multiple charcoal making processes, flue gas can be continuously sent to a secondary combustion device, and continuous power can be obtained through binary power generation using the secondary combustion device.

[0017] In the charcoal making device, the charcoal making furnace may include a housing and an internal unit. The housing may include the lid. The internal unit may include the first part and the second part, and at least a portion of the side surface may be made of mesh. The housing may be entirely made of steel plate and installed to cover the top and side surfaces of the internal unit. This configuration allows for more uniform heat to be applied to the charcoal making material stored in the first part of the internal unit. Furthermore, because the side surface of the internal unit is made of mesh, when the housing is removed, the inside of the unit can be easily seen through the side surface of the internal unit. This makes it easy to check the state of the carbonized material.

[0018] In the charcoal making apparatus, the internal unit may be configured such that the first part and the second part are integrally formed. By configuring the first part and the second part as an integral part, the internal unit can be easily handled when moved.

[0019] In the charcoal making apparatus, at least a portion of the lid may be provided with an openable / closable opening. The opening in the lid can function as an air intake during charcoal making. By providing an opening in the lid, air can be drawn in from the top of the charcoal making furnace, creating an air flow within the furnace. This allows for a more uniform temperature distribution within the furnace, making it easier to obtain charcoal with a uniform finish.

[0020] In the charcoal making device, the boundary between the first and second portions may be a surface that includes at least a slope. For example, the boundary between the first and second portions may be formed such that the center is higher than the periphery. This configuration allows heat to be transmitted to the charcoal making material more uniformly, making it easier to obtain charcoal with a uniform finish.

[0021] [Details of implementation form] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a charcoal making apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0022] (Embodiment 1) Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a charcoal making apparatus according to the present disclosure. Referring to Fig. 1, the charcoal making apparatus 1 includes a charcoal making furnace 11, a smoke exhaust system 81, and a smoke exhaust pipe 61 serving as a passageway. In the charcoal making apparatus 1, three charcoal making furnaces 11 are connected to one smoke exhaust system 81 via the smoke exhaust pipe 61. Each of the three charcoal making furnaces 11 includes a base 51 installed on the ground and a charcoal making unit 31.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, the smoke exhaust pipe 61 includes a plurality of first smoke exhaust pipes 62 and a second smoke exhaust pipe 63. One end of the first smoke exhaust pipe 62 is connected to a furnace opening 25 (FIG. 2) provided on the back of each of the charcoal production furnaces 11. The other end of the first smoke exhaust pipe 62 is connected to the second smoke exhaust pipe 63. In other words, the first smoke exhaust pipe 62 connects each of the charcoal production furnaces 11 to the second smoke exhaust pipe 63. One end of the second smoke exhaust pipe 63 is connected to a smoke exhaust device 81. The second smoke exhaust pipe 63 may be a pipe with a larger diameter than the first smoke exhaust pipe 62. It is preferable that at least a portion of the first smoke exhaust pipe 62 is made of a flexible hose. If the first smoke exhaust pipe 62 is made of a flexible hose, it can be easily attached to and detached from the furnace opening 25 (FIG. 2).

[0024] The entire second smoke exhaust pipe 63 is positioned higher than the furnace throat 25 (FIG. 2). A fan with a blowing function may be provided inside the second smoke exhaust pipe 63 at a position close to the smoke exhaust device 81. It is preferable that the operation level of the fan be switchable between multiple stages. The second smoke exhaust pipe 63 is also inclined so that the side closer to the smoke exhaust device 81 is relatively higher and the side farther from the smoke exhaust device 81 is relatively lower. This configuration ensures a smooth flow of exhausted smoke. It also allows for efficient collection of wood vinegar produced during charcoal production and discharged into the smoke exhaust pipe. The lower end of the second smoke exhaust pipe 63 may be provided with an outlet or valve for extracting wood vinegar.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the housing 21 of the charcoal making furnace 11. In the following description, the direction of the X axis in FIG. 2 is referred to as the width direction of the charcoal making furnace (charcoal making device). The positive direction of the Y axis in FIG. 2 is referred to as the "front side," and the opposite side is referred to as the "rear side." The positive direction of the Z axis in FIG. 2 is referred to as the "upper side," and the opposite side is referred to as the "lower side."

[0026] Referring to Figure 2, the housing 21 is a component that constitutes the charcoal making unit 31. The housing 21 is made entirely of steel plates. When the housing 21 is placed on the base 51 (Figure 1), the housing 21 and the base 51 can form an airtight space. Note that the airtight space referred to here does not mean only a space in which the inflow and outflow of gas is completely blocked, but rather a space without any intentionally created openings (or a space that is closed), and some unintended air circulation is permitted.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 2, the housing 21 has four side walls 21a and an upper wall 21b. On the other hand, the bottom of the housing 21 has no wall. The bottom of the housing 21 is open. The height of the center of the upper wall 21b in the depth direction (Y-axis direction) is greater than the heights of the front and rear sides. Three first furnace ports 22 are provided at equal intervals in the lower part of the front side wall 21a. The first furnace ports 22 are holes (openings) that communicate between the inside and outside of the housing 21. The first furnace ports 22 can be opened and closed by attaching and detaching a lid 23. Two second furnace ports 25 are provided in the lower part of the rear side wall 21a. The second furnace ports 25 are holes (openings) that communicate between the inside and outside of the housing 21. The second furnace ports 25 can be opened and closed by attaching and detaching a lid 26.

[0028] The first furnace port 22 opens horizontally (in a direction parallel to the Y-axis). The first furnace port 22 is located near the lower end of the side wall 21a, at a position corresponding to the second part 43 (FIG. 3) of the charcoal making unit. When starting charcoal making, a burner can be inserted into the first furnace port 22 to ignite the kindling placed in the second part 43 (FIG. 3) of the charcoal making unit. During charcoal making, the first furnace port 22 can be used as an air intake. Furthermore, the amount of air taken into the furnace can be controlled by adjusting the number of open furnace ports 22 out of the three furnace ports 22. Although three furnace ports 22 are provided in the example of FIG. 2, the number of furnace ports is not particularly limited and can be changed as appropriate depending on the capacity and purpose of the charcoal making furnace.

[0029] The second furnace port 25 opens in the vertical direction (parallel to the Z axis). The second furnace port 25 is located near the lower end of the rear side wall 21a. The second furnace port 25 can be opened and closed using the lid 26, and the first smoke exhaust pipe 62 can be attached and detached. During charcoal production, the second furnace port 25 can be used as an exhaust port. That is, in the charcoal production furnace 11, an air flow can be created in which air is drawn in through the first furnace port 22 and exhausted through the second furnace port 25. Two second furnace ports 25 are provided. The first smoke exhaust pipe 62 may be connected to both of the two furnace ports 25. Alternatively, the first smoke exhaust pipe 62 may be connected to only one of the two furnace ports 25, with the remaining port being closed with the lid 26. Although two furnace ports 25 are provided in the example of FIG. 2, the number of furnace ports is not particularly limited and may be changed as appropriate depending on the capacity and purpose of the charcoal production furnace.

[0030] A lid 27 is provided in the center of the upper wall 21b of the housing 21. The lid 27 is approximately square. A hinge is attached to one side of the lid 27, allowing it to be opened and closed. The lid 27 can also be used as an air intake. The position of the lid 27 is not limited to the center of the top surface of the housing 21. For example, it may be provided in the center in the width direction (X-axis direction) on the front side of the upper wall 21b. It may also be provided in the center in the width direction (X-axis direction) on the rear side of the upper wall 21b. Furthermore, two or more lids 27 may be provided. The shape is not limited to a quadrilateral, and may be, for example, a circle. By providing the lid 27, it is possible to create an air flow in which air is drawn in from the top of the charcoal making furnace 11 and exhausted from the second furnace port 25 provided at the bottom.

[0031] Hooks 28 are provided on the upper wall 21b of the housing 21. The hooks 28 are a pair of tubular portions into which the forks of a forklift can be inserted. The housing 21 can be moved by inserting the forks into the hooks 28. However, the shape of the hooks 28 is not limited to this. For example, ring-shaped hooks may be provided at multiple locations on the top surface of the housing so that it can be hung by a crane.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the charcoal making furnace 11. For ease of understanding, some parts of the structure have been omitted. FIG. 3(a) shows the charcoal making furnace 11 as seen from the side. FIG. 3(b) shows the charcoal making furnace 11 as seen from the front, with the casing 21, internal unit 41, and base 51 separated and schematically shown. Referring to FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the charcoal making furnace 11 includes the base 51, the casing 21, and the internal unit 41. The casing 21 and the internal unit 41 constitute the charcoal making unit 31. The internal unit 41 includes a first portion 42 and a second portion 43. The internal unit 41 is housed in a space formed by the base 51 and the casing 21. A heat-resistant panel 52 is installed in the center of the base 51. The internal unit 41 is placed on top of the heat-resistant panel 52. The casing 21 is placed over the internal unit 41 so as to completely cover it. The housing 21 is a lid that covers the top and sides of the internal unit 41. The heat-resistant panel 52 may be a pre-formed panel placed on top, or may be a structure made by pouring heat-resistant material into a formwork and allowing it to solidify. The heat-resistant panel is placed to improve the heat retention of the charcoal making furnace.

[0033] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the internal unit 41 and the base 51. Referring to FIG. 4, the base 51 includes a quadrilateral bottom surface 55, a peripheral wall 54 extending up from the periphery of the bottom surface 55, and a heat-resistant panel 52 installed in the center of the bottom surface 55. The peripheral wall 54 allows water, gravel, or the like to be collected in the base 51. By filling the space between the peripheral wall 54 and the heat-resistant panel 52 before or after placing the housing 21 on the base 51 with water, gravel, or the like, the sealing between the housing 21 and the base 51 can be improved. In addition to water and gravel, a gel-like substance or the like can also be used. The dimensions of the bottom surface 55 of the base 51 are not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a square with sides measuring 2000 to 2500 mm. The height of the peripheral wall 54 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 50 to 100 mm. Naturally, the height may be outside of these ranges. The heat-resistant panel 52 may have a height of, for example, about 50 to 100 mm.

[0034] The internal unit 41 is placed on the base 51. The internal unit 41 includes a first basket 42 that constitutes a first part of the charcoal making unit, and a second basket 43 that constitutes a second part of the charcoal making unit. The first basket 42 contains the material to be made into charcoal. The second basket 43 can contain kindling.

[0035] The first basket 42 includes a quadrilateral bottom surface 42a and four side surfaces 42b rising from the periphery of the bottom surface 42a. The top surface of the first basket 42 is open. The space enclosed by the bottom surface 42a and the side surfaces 42b is a first portion 48, which is a storage area for the charcoal raw material. Both the bottom surface 42a and the side surfaces 42b are made of a metal mesh material. As the mesh material, for example, expanded metal or punched metal with a desired mesh size can be used. The mesh material can be selected depending on the type and fineness of the charcoal raw material. For example, to charcoalize rice husks, a mesh material with a mesh size of approximately 3 to 5 mm can be used. When charcoalizing larger materials, it is preferable to construct the basket with a mesh with larger mesh sizes. The first basket 42 has a removable portion of the side surface 42b. Making the removable portion of the side surface 42b facilitates the loading and unloading of charcoal raw materials and charcoal produced after charcoal production. Two holes 42e are provided in the upper part of the front surface of the side surface 42b of the first basket 42. The two holes 42e are provided at an interval corresponding to the distance between a pair of forks of a forklift. The first basket 42 also includes a reinforcing member 42f attached across the width of the upper surface. Forks can be inserted from the holes 42e to the reinforcing member 42f so that they can reach the holes. The first basket 42 can be moved or transported using a forklift.

[0036] 4, the entire bottom surface 42a of the first basket 42 is made of mesh, but only a portion of the bottom surface 42a may be made of mesh. For example, a mesh portion extending from the front side to the rear side of the bottom surface 42a may be formed in a portion of the width direction of the bottom surface 42a (for example, the center portion), and the rest of the bottom surface 42a may be made of steel plate. Similarly, the side surface 42b may be made partly of mesh and partly of steel plate.

[0037] The dimensions of the first basket 42 are not particularly limited. For example, the bottom surface 42a can be formed into a square with each side having a length of 1000 to 2500 mm. The height of the side surface 42b is also not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 800 to 2000 mm. Of course, it may be in a range other than these.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 4, the second basket 43 includes a quadrilateral bottom 43a and four side surfaces 43b rising from the periphery of the bottom surface 43a. The top surface of the second basket 43 is open. The space enclosed by the bottom surface 43a and the side surfaces 43b is a second portion 49 in which kindling can be placed. The bottom surface 43a is made of a steel plate or a heat-resistant panel. Two of the side surfaces 43b, the front and rear surfaces, are made of a mesh material. The two opposite surfaces of the side surface 43b are made of a steel plate or a heat-resistant panel. The mesh material can be the same as that of the first basket 42. Two parallel pipes 43e are provided on the bottom surface 43a, extending from the front surface to the rear surface. The pipes 43e are provided at intervals corresponding to the spacing between the forks of a forklift. The second basket 43 can be moved or transported using a forklift by inserting the forks into the pipes 43e.

[0039] The dimensions of the second basket 43 can correspond to those of the first basket 42. Specifically, the length of one side of the bottom surface 43a of the second basket 43 can be the same as or slightly (10 to 50 mm) larger than the length of one side of the bottom surface 42a of the first basket 42. By making the dimension of the bottom surface of the second basket 43 slightly larger than that of the first basket 42, it becomes easier to position the first basket 42 when stacking it on top of the second basket 43. The height of the second basket 43 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 200 to 400 mm. Naturally, it may be in a range other than these.

[0040] When operating the charcoal making furnace 11, the second basket 43 is placed on the base 51, and the first basket 42 is placed on top of the second basket 43. In other words, the second portion 49 is placed on the base 51 and below the first portion 48. The first portion 48 and the second portion 49 are separated by the bottom surface 42a. When making charcoal, the housing 21 (FIG. 2) is further placed over the inner unit 41 to completely cover it.

[0041] Although the internal unit 41 shown in FIG. 4 has the first basket 42 and the second basket 43 separated, the first basket 42 and the second basket 43 may be configured as a single unit. When the first basket 42 and the second basket 43 are configured as a single unit, at least a portion of the bottom surface 42a may be removable. Also, a portion of the side surface of the second basket 43 may be removable. Also, a portion of the side surface of the second basket 43 may be open, without a mesh or wall surface. These configurations make it easy to add kindling to the second section 49.

[0042] In the charcoal making furnace 11 according to the present disclosure, kindling is placed in the second section 49 and burned, thereby heating the charcoal making object contained in the first section 48 from below. This makes it easier to heat the charcoal making object evenly and obtain homogeneous charcoal. Furthermore, by covering the internal unit 41 with the housing 21, a sealed furnace state can be created. This allows for maintaining a high temperature, circulating heat efficiently, and producing charcoal in a short time.

[0043] (Internal unit variant 1) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an internal unit 411, which is a modified example of the internal unit. FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) both show the internal unit 411, but are viewed from different directions. The following mainly describes the differences between the internal unit 411 and the internal unit 41. Referring to FIG. 5, the internal unit 411 includes a first portion 481 and a second portion 491. The internal unit 411 further includes a third portion 471 in front of the first portion 481 and the second portion 491. In the internal unit 411, charcoal-making materials can be placed in the first portion 481. The second portion 491 is located below the first portion 481. The third portion 471 is located in front of the first portion 481 and the second portion 491 and spans the entire height of the internal unit 411. The depth dimension of the third portion 471 is smaller than the depth dimensions of the first portion 481 and the second portion 491. Specifically, the dimension of the third portion 471 in the depth direction is approximately one-third of the dimension of the first portion 481 and the second portion 491 in the depth direction.

[0044] In the internal unit 411, the first portion 481 and the second portion 491 are separated by a bottom surface 421a of the first portion 481. The bottom surface 421a is made of mesh. Four side surfaces 421b of the first portion 481 are also made of mesh. The bottom surface 431b of the second portion 491 is connected to the bottom surface 471b of the third portion 471 and is made of a steel plate or a heat-resistant panel. The bottom surface 411b of the internal unit 411 includes the bottom surface 431b of the second portion 491 and the bottom surface 471b of the third portion 471. The second portion 491 does not have a side wall surface. In addition, the top surface of the internal unit 411 (i.e., the top surface of the first portion 481 and the top surface of the third portion 471) is open. Most of the internal unit 411 is made of mesh material, except for the bottom surface 411b and the frame material that forms the outline of the internal unit 411.

[0045] The internal unit 411 has two parallel pipes 411e extending in the depth direction provided on the bottom surface 411b. The pipes 411e are provided at an interval corresponding to the interval between a pair of forks of a forklift. By inserting the forks into the pipes 411e, the internal unit 411 can be moved or transported using a forklift. Because the first part 481, the second part 491, and the third part 471 of the internal unit 411 are integrally configured, it is easy to install the internal unit 411 on the base 51 and move it from the base 51.

[0046] The internal unit 411 can add kindling to the third section 471. Kindling may also be added to the second section 491. Due to the presence of the second section 491 and the third section 471, the internal unit 411 can quickly and uniformly apply heat to the charcoal-making material stored in the first section 481. The internal unit 411 can heat the charcoal-making material from both the front and bottom, so that the charcoal-making material can be quickly and uniformly heated. The internal unit 411 can be installed on the base 51 described above, and can also be housed inside the housing 21 (FIG. 2) described above.

[0047] (Internal unit variant 2) Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing an internal unit 412, which is a modified example of the internal unit. Referring to Fig. 6, the internal unit 412 includes a first portion 482 and a second portion 492. Furthermore, the internal unit 412 is provided with a third portion 472 in front of the first portion 482 and the second portion 492. In the internal unit 412, charcoal-making material can be input into the first portion 482. The second portion 492 is a portion provided below the first portion 482. The third portion 472 is located in front of the first portion 482 and the second portion 492, and extends across the entire height of the internal unit 412.

[0048] The inner unit 412 has a similar configuration to the inner unit 411 in most respects, and a description of the similar parts will be omitted. In the inner unit 412, the side surface 482b of the first portion 482 is made of a plate material such as a steel plate. Making the side surface 482b out of a plate material has the advantage of improving heat retention and being suitable for storing fine materials.

[0049] (Internal unit variant 3) FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an internal unit 413, which is a modified example of the internal unit. FIG. 7(a) is a front view of the internal unit 413. FIG. 7(b) is an exploded perspective view of the internal unit 413. Referring to FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), the internal unit 413 includes a first basket 414 and a second basket 43. The second basket 43 can hold kindling. The second basket 43 is similar to that shown in FIG. 4. Three first baskets 414 are stacked to form the first part of the charcoal making unit. Each of the first baskets 414 can hold materials to be made into charcoal. A bottom surface 414a of the first basket 414 is made of mesh. Both side surfaces 414b of the first basket 414 are also made of mesh. A front surface 414c and a rear surface 414d of the first basket 414 are made of plate material. Two hooks 415 are provided on the upper ends of the front surface 414c and the rear surface 414d of the first basket 414. Forks of a forklift can be inserted into the hooks 415. In the example of FIG. 7, two of the four side surfaces are mesh and two are plate material, but this is not limited to this. For example, all four surfaces may be mesh or all four surfaces may be plate material. In the example of FIG. 7, the first basket 414 is three-tiered, but it may also be two-tiered, or four or more tiered. There is no particular limitation as long as there is more than one.

[0050] When producing charcoal, the internal unit 413 is covered with a housing to form a sealed furnace. For example, the housing 21 (Fig. 3) can be used as the housing. The internal unit 413 is particularly suitable for producing charcoal from materials with high moisture content or heavy materials. The internal unit 413 can also be used as a drying rack for drying materials before carbonization. Furthermore, it is preferable to perform drying at this time by using exhaust heat from another charcoal production unit in the charcoal production equipment or heat obtained from a secondary combustor.

[0051] (Charcoal making unit variant 1) Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a charcoal making unit 311, which is a modified example of the charcoal making unit. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the inside of a furnace body 511 in the charcoal making unit 311. Referring to Fig. 8, the charcoal making unit 311 is installed on a base 51. The charcoal making unit 311 includes the furnace body 511 and a lid 211.

[0052] The entire lid 211 is made of steel plate. The lid 211 has a flat top surface 211a and four edge surfaces 211b extending downward from the periphery of the top surface. The lid 211 covers the top surface of the furnace body 511. The lid 211 is provided with an intake cylinder 271, which is a square cylinder extending upward. A lid is attached to the top of the intake cylinder 271, which can be opened and closed. The intake cylinder 271 can be used as an intake port when making charcoal. The lid 211 is provided with two hooks 281 in parallel positions. The lid 211 can be moved or transported by inserting the forks of a forklift into the hooks 281.

[0053] 9, the interior of the furnace body 511 is divided into a first section 521 in which the material to be made into charcoal is accommodated, and a second section 531 disposed below the first section. A bottom surface 521a of the first section 521 is made of mesh. In other words, the boundary surface between the first section 521 and the second section 531 is also made of mesh. Kindling can be put into the second section 531.

[0054] Bottom surface 521a of first portion 521 includes quadrilateral central portion 522a and four sloped surfaces 523a connecting each side of central portion 522a to side surfaces 521b of first portion 521. In other words, bottom surface 521a is formed in the shape of a truncated pyramid without a base, with central portion 522a higher than the periphery. Furthermore, central portion 522a is removable, allowing kindling to be poured into second portion 531 from central portion 522a. Note that the shape of bottom surface 521a is not limited thereto and may be flat or a bottom surface generally inclined to one side. For example, it may be an inclined surface inclined from the front side to the back side. Alternatively, it may have no flat central portion and be formed like a pyramidal side surface inclined toward the center.

[0055] Referring to Figure 8, the furnace body 511 is constructed by integrating a first section 521 and a second section 531. The side surface 521b of the first section and the two lateral surfaces of the side surface 531b of the second section 531 are constructed from a single steel plate. The front side of the side surface 531b of the second section 531 is an opening. Kindling can be added through this opening. Figure 8 shows the state in which thin branches and leaves have been added as kindling.

[0056] The charcoal making unit 311 can cover the top surface of the furnace body 511 with the lid 211. The charcoal making unit 311 may make charcoal without using a housing that covers the entire furnace body 511. The charcoal making unit 311 can also be covered with another housing. In this case, for example, the housing 21 (FIG. 2) can be used as the housing. The intake cylinder 271 can be exposed to the outside of the housing 21 by opening the lid 27 of the housing 21.

[0057] (Charcoal making unit variant 2) Fig. 10 is a front view and a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a charcoal making unit 312, which is a modified example of the charcoal making unit. Referring to Fig. 10, the charcoal making unit 312 includes a furnace body 512 and a lid 212. The charcoal making unit 312 can be installed on a base. The furnace body 512 includes a first section 513 that houses the material to be made into charcoal and has an open top, and a second section 514 that is located below the first section 513 and into which kindling is added. The first section 513 includes trays 515 stacked in three tiers.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 10 , the lid 212 has a flat upper surface 212a and four edge surfaces 212b extending downward from the periphery of the upper surface. Three air intake tubes 272, each a rectangular tube extending upward, are provided on the upper surface 212a of the lid 212. Two parallel hooks 282 are provided on the upper surface 212a of the lid 212. The forks of a forklift can be inserted into the hooks 282 to move or transport the lid 212. The lid 212 also has a double-layered edge surface, with four edge surfaces 212c located inside the edge surface 212b. The edge surfaces 212b are located outside the outer periphery of the tray 515 and cover the upper periphery of the tray 515. The edge surfaces 212c also extend into an outer periphery 517 provided on the outer periphery of a box portion 516, which is the charcoal-making raw material storage portion of the tray 515. The outer periphery 517 is filled with sand. By burying edge surface 212c in the sand that fills outer periphery 517, the inside of furnace body 512 is isolated from the outside, forming an airtight space. Edge surface 212b prevents rain and other elements from entering furnace body 512. The bottom and sides of second section 514, into which kindling is added, are both made of plate material. Two entrances to pipe line 533 are provided on the front of second section 514, into which the forks of a forklift can be inserted. Additionally, three furnace ports 534 are provided on the front of second section 514, into which lids can be attached.

[0059] FIG. 11 shows the structure of the tray 515. FIG. 11(a) is a perspective view of the tray 515. FIG. 11(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 11(a). Referring to FIG. 11, the tray 515 has a box structure with an open top. The tray 515 includes a box portion 516 that accommodates the charcoal-making raw material, an outer peripheral portion 517 that is provided around the entire outer periphery of the box portion 516, and a skirt 518 that protrudes downward from a bottom surface 517a of the outer peripheral portion 517. The bottom surface 516a of the box portion 516 is made of mesh. The side surface 516b of the box portion 516 is made of a plate material. The bottom surface 517a and the side surface 517b of the outer peripheral portion 517 are also made of a plate material. The outer peripheral portion 517 may be configured in two layers, one above the other. The outer peripheral portion 517 is filled with sand, gel, or the like. In the charcoal-making unit 312, multiple trays 515 are stacked and used. In the example of Figure 11, three trays 515 are stacked, but two, four, or more may be used. The number of trays 515 used can be changed depending on the amount and type of raw material to be produced. When the trays 515 are stacked, the skirt 518 of the upper tray 515 fits into the outer periphery 517 of the lower tray 515, thereby isolating the inside of the furnace body 512 from the outside and forming an airtight space. Two sets of hooks 519 are provided on the side 517b of the outer periphery 517. Forklift forks can be inserted into the hooks 519.

[0060] (Other variations) In the above embodiment, the base and the charcoal making unit have a quadrilateral bottom, but this is not limiting. For example, the base may be disk-shaped, and the charcoal making unit may be cylindrical. In the above embodiment, the base is basin-shaped, but this is not limiting. The base may be installed on the ground, or, for example, partially buried in the ground.

[0061] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a mode of use of a charcoal making apparatus according to the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 12, the charcoal making apparatus can include multiple charcoal making furnaces (four charcoal making furnaces in FIG. 12). The multiple charcoal making furnaces are connected to a secondary combustor as a smoke exhaust device via a smoke exhaust passage. The secondary combustor has a combustor inside. A known configuration can be used for the secondary combustor. The combustor of the secondary combustor uses gas or gasoline as fuel to reheat and burn the smoke emitted from the charcoal making furnace. Charcoal produced by the charcoal making apparatus according to the present disclosure can also be used as fuel in the secondary combustor. The charcoal making apparatus according to the present disclosure is a non-powered apparatus that does not require a power source or power source.

[0062] The charcoal making unit in each charcoal making furnace can be selected and used depending on the raw material to be made into charcoal. The charcoal making unit can be one of the above-mentioned embodiments. The same charcoal making unit can be used in multiple charcoal making furnaces, or different charcoal making units can be used.

[0063] The secondary combustor may be equipped with a heat exchanger and / or a boiler. The heat exchanger attached to the secondary combustor can be used to heat various media or to heat water to obtain hot water. The obtained hot water can be used to supply electricity using a binary power generation system. It can also be used for heating greenhouses, hot springs, and adjusting the water temperature in aquaculture, for example.

[0064] (Method of making charcoal using a charcoal making device) An example of a method for making charcoal using the charcoal making device 1 will be described. The outline is as follows. That is, the material to be made into the charcoal making unit is placed in the first section. When multiple charcoal making units are used, the material to be made into the charcoal making units may be the same, or different types of material to be made into the charcoal making units may be carbonized simultaneously. Before or after the material to be made into the first section is placed, the internal unit is installed on the base. Kind material is also placed in the second section. After the charcoal making material and kindling are placed, the internal unit is covered with a housing.

[0065] An ignition burner is inserted through the opening in the front of the enclosure to ignite the kindling. Air can be introduced into the enclosure if necessary. After ignition, the carbonization process is progressed by measuring the amount of air drawn in through the opening in the front of the enclosure and the intake tube, and by monitoring the temperature of the exhaust gas discharged from the exhaust passage. The carbonization process can be controlled, for example, by adjusting the operating level of the fan in the smoke exhaust system according to the amount of air drawn in and / or the temperature of the exhaust gas. An anemometer can be used to measure the amount of air drawn in. The temperature of the exhaust gas can be measured using a thermocouple installed in the smoke exhaust system or the secondary combustor. The gas discharged during the carbonization process reaches the smoke exhaust system through the exhaust passage and is reheated in the secondary combustor. The reheated gas is colorless and odorless and is exhausted to the outside through the chimney of the secondary combustor. The heat generated in the secondary combustor can be reused via a heat exchanger or boiler.

[0066] (Example) Charcoal production was carried out using the charcoal making furnace shown in the first embodiment. The dimensions of the storage section (first basket) for the charcoal making object in the charcoal making unit are 1870 mm x 1870 mm at the bottom and 1100 mm in height. 3 The furnace contained 100 kg of raw charcoal. The carbonization time was 6 to 8 hours. The progress of carbonization was confirmed by monitoring the exhaust temperature and the temperature of the secondary combustor. Approximately 100 kg of charcoal was obtained from approximately 400 kg of raw charcoal. The exhaust temperature was initially room temperature and rose to approximately 120 to 150°C during carbonization. The temperature inside the secondary combustor rose to approximately 800°C. Even if the exhaust temperature remains the same, the temperature inside the secondary combustor varies depending on the components contained in the exhaust. For example, if the exhaust contains a large amount of organic matter during charcoal production, the temperature inside the secondary combustor will rise to approximately 800°C as the organic matter is burned inside the secondary combustor. In contrast, when charcoal production is completed and only water vapor is being emitted, the temperature inside the secondary combustor will be approximately 500°C.

[0067] Generally, the amount of gas emitted varies depending on the progress of charcoal production. In this regard, the charcoal production apparatus according to the present disclosure can reduce fluctuations in the amount of gas flowing into the smoke exhaust system by staggering the charcoal production processes in multiple charcoal production furnaces. This allows for stable power generation and hot water supply. Furthermore, among multiple charcoal production furnaces, only those that have completed charcoal production can be separated from the smoke exhaust passage. This allows for rapid cooling and charcoal recovery.

[0068] It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not limiting in any respect. The scope of the present invention is defined not by the above description but by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0069] The charcoal making apparatus of the present invention has few limitations on the installation location and can be particularly advantageously applied as a charcoal making apparatus capable of carbonizing a variety of raw materials. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1 Charcoal making equipment, 11 Charcoal making furnace, 21 Housing, 211, 212, 23, 27 Lid, 22, 25, 534 Furnace mouth, 271, 272 Intake cylinder, 28, 281, 282, 415, 519 Hook, 31, 311, 312 Charcoal making unit, 41, 411, 412, 413 Internal unit, 42, 43, 414 Basket, 51 Base, 511, 512 Furnace body, 515 Tray, 52 Heat-resistant panel, 61, 62, 63 Smoke exhaust pipe, 81 Smoke exhaust device

Claims

1. A charcoal making furnace having a charcoal making unit, The charcoal making unit comprises: An internal unit including a first basket with an open top that accommodates the material to be made into charcoal, and a second basket that is disposed below the first basket and serves as a storage section for kindling; a housing including a top wall and a side wall, the housing being installed so as to cover the top surface and the side surface of the internal unit; Including, At a position on the side wall of the housing corresponding to the second basket of the internal unit, a first furnace port that can be opened and closed and that connects the inside and outside of the charcoal making unit; a second furnace port that can be opened and closed, which connects the inside and outside of the charcoal making unit and, in an open state, connects to a passage connected to a smoke exhaust device; is provided, The upper wall of the housing is provided with an openable / closable opening that connects the inside and outside of the charcoal making unit; At least a portion of the boundary between the first basket and the second basket is made of mesh. Coal making furnace.

2. The internal unit is configured such that the first basket and the second basket are integrated together. Charcoal making furnace according to claim 1.

3. The internal unit is configured so that the first basket and the second basket are separable from each other. Charcoal making furnace according to claim 1.

4. The charcoal making furnace according to claim 1 , wherein the internal unit includes a plurality of the first baskets stacked one on top of the other.

5. A method for producing charcoal using the charcoal making furnace according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A step of putting a charcoal-making object into the first basket and kindling into the second basket; igniting the kindling contained in the second basket through the first furnace opening; a step of allowing the carbonization of the material to be made into charcoal to proceed while drawing in air from the first furnace port or the opening in the upper wall of the housing and exhausting air from the second furnace port; A method for producing charcoal, comprising:

6. A charcoal making furnace including a charcoal making unit, The charcoal making unit comprises: A furnace body including a first tray with an open top that accommodates materials to be made into charcoal, and a second tray that is disposed below the first tray and serves as a storage section for kindling; a lid for covering the top surface of the furnace body; Including, On the side of the second tray of the furnace body, a first furnace port that can be opened and closed and that connects the inside and outside of the charcoal making unit; a second furnace port that can be opened and closed, which connects the inside and outside of the charcoal making unit and, in an open state, connects to a passage connected to a smoke exhaust device; is provided, The lid is provided with an openable / closable opening that connects the inside and outside of the charcoal making unit; At least a part of the boundary between the first tray and the second tray is made of mesh. Coal making furnace.

7. The charcoal making unit is configured such that the first tray and the second tray are integrated together.

10. The charcoal making furnace according to claim 6.

8. In the charcoal making unit, the first tray and the second tray are separable from each other.

10. The charcoal making furnace according to claim 6.

9. The charcoal making unit includes a plurality of the first trays stacked one on top of the other. A charcoal making furnace according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

10. A method for producing charcoal using the charcoal making furnace according to any one of claims 6 to 9, A step of placing a material to be made into charcoal into the first tray and kindling into the second tray; igniting the kindling contained in the second tray through the first furnace port; a step of allowing the carbonization of the material to be made into charcoal to proceed while drawing in air from the first furnace port or the opening of the lid and exhausting air from the second furnace port; A method for producing charcoal, comprising:

Images