This paper presents an historical approach on the development of the existing biomass carbonization technologies in industrial operation in Brazil, the biggest charcoal producing country in the world. The gravimetric yield of charcoal from wood does not usually surpass 25%; the time of each operation cycle is more than seven clays; and less than 50% of the energy contained in the feedstock is transformed into charcoal - the rest is discharged into the environment. The electricity generation associated with charcoal production is nowadays inexistent in Brazil. This paper presents the development of an industrial technology of semi-continuous pyrolysis process, characterized by using metallic kilns with forced exhaust system: the Rima Container Kiln (RCK). The results of the test runs are related to 5 m(3) and 40 m(3) kilns, with a thermal power of 200 kW (pilot scale: 5 m(3)) and 3000 kW (industrial scale: 40 m(3)). The low heating value of the pyrolysis gases is 670 and 1470 kJ/m(3), respectively. The main results are: a 3 h carbonization time; an average productivity per kiln of 1 ton of charcoal per hour; and a gravimetric yield of 35%. In this paper, four scenarios for the conversion of exhaust gases and tar into electricity were evaluated: the Conventional Rankine Cycle (CRC) and the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), each one with and without forest residues utilization. It is shown that the best economic indicators correspond to the scenario where ORC technology is used. The electricity generation cost is around U$30/MWhe for ORC and US$40/MWhe for CRC. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.