çoal

çoal is a Portuguese term used in some regions and historical texts to refer to charcoal, the carbon-rich material produced by charcoal burning. In contemporary standard Portuguese, the more common term for this substance is carvão vegetal (or carvão). As a result, çoal is often encountered in older dictionaries, literary works, regional speech, or in discussions of traditional practices.

Production and properties: Charcoal is made by heating wood in a low-oxygen environment, such as in kilns or retorts, which drives off volatile compounds and leaves mostly carbon. The resulting material is lightweight and highly porous, with a high calorific value and relatively low impurities. The type of wood used influences characteristics such as density and burn rate; hardwoods typically yield denser charcoals than softwoods.

Uses: Historically and traditionally, charcoal served as a primary fuel for heating and cooking and as a crucial reducing agent in metalworking and smelting processes. It has also been employed in artisanal glassmaking, blacksmithing, and various crafts. In many regions, the shift to fossil fuels reduced its widespread use, though it remains important in some rural communities and specialized crafts.

Etymology and range of usage: The word çoal appears mainly in older Portuguese texts and regional dialects. It is often treated as archaic or dialectal, with most modern references preferring carvão vegetal. Its exact regional usage can vary, reflecting the broader historical practice of charcoal production in Iberian and Lusophone contexts. See also carvão vegetal, carvão.