文摘
In this work, the effect of temperature on charcoal structure and chemical composition is investigatedfor four tree species. Wood charcoal carbonized at various temperatures is analyzed by mid infraredspectroscopy coupled with multivariate analysis and by thermogravimetric analysis to characterizethe chemical composition during the carbonization process. The multivariate models of charcoal wereable to distinguish between species and wood thermal treatments, revealing that the characteristicsof the wood charcoal depend not only on the wood species, but also on the carbonization temperature.This work demonstrates the potential of mid infrared spectroscopy in the whiskey industry, from theidentification and classification of the wood species for the mellowing process to the chemicalcharacterization of the barrels after the toasting and charring process.Keywords: Wood charcoal; chemical composition; infrared spectroscopy; multivariate analysis;principal component analysis; projection to latent structures; white oak; red maple; sugar maple; silvermaple; whiskey; maturation; mellowing process; toasting and charring process