NOVELTY - Converting biomass (m1) into charcoal or carbonized charcoal, involves sealing (m1) in an enclosed container having a valved air entry orifice for introducing air at proximal end and a valved gas exit orifice and heater at distal end of the container, where non-inert content of the container consists of (m1) and air; pressurizing container with air or oxygen; heating to cause ignition and burning; and controlling airflow and pressure within container in a proximal-to-distal end flow by regulating air or oxygen intake at proximal end and exhaust of combustion gases at distal end.    USE - For the conversion of biomass material into charcoal or carbonized charcoal (claimed). The biomass includes e.g. many types of woody and herbaceous plant material, such as wood logs, slabs, chips, and bark; and agricultural residues such as corncobs, corn stover, sunflower shells and husks, nutshells, olive cake, and sugar cane bagasse; organic fraction of municipal solid wastes (including rubber tires), sewage sludge, manure, or other excrement, and the residues of animal husbandry, such as bones and carcasses.    ADVANTAGE - The process is improved over that process described in US6790317, as it significantly reduces the conversion times to biocarbon in similarly-sized reactors. The method is rapid, efficient and economical for converting biomass into charcoal. The typical turn-around time is significantly improved compared to the process disclosed in US6790317. The biocarbon made in accordance with the present method has a volatile matter content of less than about 15 wt.%, and a calorific value of about 33 MJ/kg. The method does not take longer reaction times even while using energetic feedstocks and a biocarbon yield higher than that disclosed in US6790317 is attainable. The biomass material may be used without pretreatment, other than cutting wood to manageable sizes and shapes. Therefore, the material may have high or low moisture content. No special oven drying of the feedstock is necessary. Introduction of a small amount of dry biomass, which can serve as tinder, into the bottom of the reactor near the heater, prior to loading the moist biomass, shortens the time and reduces the external energy input required to kindle the biomass.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A process for the conversion of biomass material (13) into charcoal or carbonized charcoal, involves    (A) sealing the material in an enclosed container (14) having a proximal and distal end, a valved air entry orifice (18) for introducing air at the proximal end of the container and a valved gas exit orifice (17) and heater (16) at the distal end of the container, where the non-inert contents of the container consists essentially of the material and air;    (B) pressurizing the container with air or oxygen, then initiating flow of air or oxygen into the container at the proximal end and out of the container at the distal end;    (C) heating the material with the heater to cause it to ignite and burn while continuing the flow of air or oxygen, then ceasing operation of the heater after ignition of the material;    (D) controlling the airflow and pressure within the container in a proximal-to-distal end flow by regulating air or oxygen intake at the proximal end and exhaust of combustion gases at the distal end; and    (E) continuing the airflow until carbonization of the material is complete.    An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a reactor (10) for pyrolytic conversion of biomass material (13) into charcoal and gas comprising, a housing having a proximal end, a distal end and a sealable opening (15) for receiving a removable canister (14) containing the material; a valved air entry orifice (18) for introducing air to the proximal end of the canister; a valved gas exit orifice (17) and heater (16) at the distal end of the housing insulation (11) surrounding at least a portion of the sides of the canister; the canister is receivable within the housing such that there is minimal exposure of the contents of the canister to the atmosphere when the sealable opening is open.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a cross-section elevational view of an apparatus used for performing the biomass conversion process.    Reactor (10)    Housing insulation (11)    Biomass material (13)    Removable canister (14)    sealable opening (15)    Heater (16)    Valved gas exit orifice (17)    Valved air entry orifice (18)