Charcoal

Charcoal is the blackish residue consisting of impure carbon obtained by

Use

One of the most important applications of wood charcoal is as a constituent of gunpowder.

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It is also used in metallurgical operations as a reducing agent, but its application has been

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diminished by the introduction of coke, anthracite smalls, etc.

Related Topics:
Coke - Anthracite

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A limited quantity is made up into the form of drawing crayons; but the greatest

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amount is used as a fuel, which burns hotter and cleaner than wood.

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Charcoal is often used by blacksmiths, for cooking, and for other industrial applications. Commercially, charcoal is often found in either lump or briquette forms. Lump charcoal is made directly from hardwood material and burns hotter than briquettes. Briquettes are made from a combination of charcoal, ash, binders (lime, clay, starch), and possibly additives like paraffin or lighter fluid to aid in lighting them.

Related Topics:
Blacksmith - Hardwood - Lime - Paraffin

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The porosity of wood charcoal explains why it floats on the surface of water,

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although it is actually denser.

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This also accounts for its ability to readily absorb gases and liquids;

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charcoal is often used to filter water or absorb odors.

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Its pharmacological action depends on the same property; it absorbs the

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gases of the stomach and intestines, and also liquids and solids (hence its

Related Topics:
Stomach - Intestine

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use in the treatment of certain poisonings). Charcoal filters are used in some types of gas mask to remove poisonous gases from inhaled air.

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Wood charcoal has also the power of removing coloring matters from solutions,

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but this property is possessed in a much higher degree by animal charcoal.

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Animal charcoal or bone black is the carbonaceous residue obtained by the dry

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distillation of bones; it contains only about 10% carbon, the remainder being calcium

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and magnesium phosphates (80%) and other inorganic material originally present

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in the bones.

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It is generally manufactured from the residues obtained in the glue

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and gelatin industries.

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Its decolorizing power was applied in 1812 by Derosne to the clarification of

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the syrups obtained in sugar refining; but its use in this direction has now greatly

Related Topics:
Syrup - Sugar

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diminished, owing to the introduction of more active and easily managed reagents.

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It is still used to some extent in laboratory practice.

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The decolorizing power is not permanent, becoming lost after using for some time;

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it may be revived, however, by washing and reheating.

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Charcoal is used in art for drawing, making rough sketches in painting, and is one of the possible media for making a parsemage. Bamboo charcoal is the principal tool in Japanese Sumi-e (炭絵 lit: charcoal drawing) art.

Related Topics:
Parsemage - Sumi-e

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