kolifiering

Kolifiering, or carbonization, is the thermal treatment of organic material in low- or absent-oxygen conditions to drive off volatile components and leave behind a carbon-rich solid residue. The process relies on pyrolysis, where heat is applied without combustion, so oxidation is minimized and the material’s chemical structure reorganizes into more aromatic, carbon-dominated networks.

The conditions for kolifiering vary with the feedstock and the desired product. Temperature typically ranges from a few hundred to about one thousand degrees Celsius, with lower temperatures yielding more volatile matter and higher yields of biochar or charcoal, and higher temperatures producing a denser, more stable carbon structure such as coke or activated carbon. Heating rate, residence time, and the presence or absence of trace oxygen influence the extent of devolatilization and the final carbon content.

Feedstocks include biomass (wood, agricultural residues, and other organic matter), coal, and certain polymers. The solid product is usually char or coke, depending on the input and process parameters. Volatile products are released as gases and liquids and can be captured for energy recovery or chemical processing. Post-processing, such as activation, can convert the carbonized material into activated carbon with high surface area for filtration and adsorption applications. In biochar production, the resulting material is often intended for soil amendment and carbon sequestration.

Environmental and energy considerations are important, as kolifiering is energy-intensive and emits volatiles that may require mitigation. Proper controls and end-use strategies determine the sustainability and economic viability of the process. See also carbonization, pyrolysis, coking, torrefaction, and activated carbon.