Charcoal and are two important fuels. Charcoal is mainly carbon and wood is mainly cellulose [(C6H10O5) n]. Charcoal is much better fuel than wood because of the following reasons:

1. Charcoal does not produce smoke when it is burnt whereas wood produces a lot of smoke.

2. Charcoal has a higher calorific value than wood. Calorific value of charcoal is 33 Kilojoules per gram whereas that of woos is 17 kilojoules per gram.

3. Charcoal is relatively a compact fuel and hence is easier to handle.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

Thus, we see the charcoal is a better fuel then wood. However, shortage of wood created as result of large-scale deforestation has made it scarce and an expensive fuel.