NON-PYROLYTIC FIELD METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF RESINOUS WOOD TAR FROM MANGIFERA INDICA (MANGO TREE)

Resinous wood tar is a dark, viscous liquid of hydrocarbons and free carbon which is a by-product of the high temperature carbonization or pyrolysis of resin producing woods like pine and mango woods in anoxic conditions. Pyrolysis produces flue gases that contain pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide, which can pollute the air and water. This study provides an alternative technology for the production of wood tar using non-pyrolytic method which is comparatively a less complex process, save cost due to low energy consumption and mitigate environmental pollution. The two main objectives considered in the study were to determine the wood tar production efficiency of mango tree resin and some physical properties of the wood tar produced. The experimental method basically involves the immersion of the mango wood bark chips in water for 72 hrs so that the resin in the chips will adequately dissolve in water. The solution is boiled at 100oC to allow water to evaporate under controlled environment leaving a dark brown tarry concentrate. The 5000ml of resin solution obtained from the 5kg bark chips immersed in water yielded 300ml of liquid wood tar and 168g of concentrated wood tar. The wood tar produced has a pH of 4.37 (acidic) and density of 1.06g/cm3.