Articles

Effect of steam explosion temperature on wheat straw enzymatic hydrolysis

Wheat straw is an abundant and readily available lignocellulosic material potentially suitable for the second generation bioethanol production. Steam explosion was investigated as a suitable pretreatment method. Effect of steam explosion temperature on wheat straw enzymatic hydrolysis was investigated. Optimum steam explosion temperature at around 200°C was determined based on concentration of monosaccharides in hydrolysates, conversion of cellulose and xylan and yield of monosaccharides from wheat straw. This corresponds to creating conditions resulting in sufficient damage to the lignocellulose structure which leads to higher enzyme accessibility. Lower temperature does not enable sufficient enzyme accessibility while excessively high temperature results in significant breakdown of monosaccharides and lignin and creation of inhibitors. The amount of originated inhibitors was also determined for each studied steam explosion temperature.

The effect of oxalic acid pretreatment on alkali pulping process

The objective of this study was to determine prehydrolysis process on kraft and soda pulping process. Optimum cooking conditions were determined by different alkali concentration and cooking period. Oxalicacid was used to hydrolyzechip before cooking. Prehydrolysis proces increased the yield and viscosity of pulp. Incontrast, mechanical properties of paper were not changed significantly. Optical properties were decreased due to lignin content.

Ionic liquids assisted alkaline fractionation enhanced triploid poplar bioconversion for bioethanol production

In this case, [Amim]Cl, [Bmim]Cl and [Emim]Ac were used to dissolve ball-milled triploid poplar, and the cellulose-rich preparations were subsequently recovered via incubation in 5 % NaOH aqueous solution and filtration. After the stepwise pretreatments, the carbohydrate content in the cellulosic residues increased to 73.3, 73.6 and 79.0 %, respectively, from 66.1 % in that with sole alkali fractionation. In comparison, the treatment with [Emim]Ac incurred transformation of cellulose I to II, which was favorable to enhance the alkaline fractionation for lignin extraction and disruption of biomass intact structure. After reconstitution, the digestibility of the three cellulosic preparations was all improved, yielding 1.3-fold higher fermentable sugars than that without IL pretreatment (67.2 %). These results indicated that the stepwise pretreatment with ionic liquid and alkali was effective for disrupting the intact structure of plant cell wall, and improving the productivity of bioethanol from lignocellulose biomass.

Some orthotropic elastic properties of Fagus orientalis as influenced by moisture content

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of moisture content on some orthotropic elastic properties of Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis). The elastic properties investigated include EL, ER, ET, νLR, νLT, νRL, νRT, νTL and νTR under compression. Compression strength in all orthotropic directions was also studied. Specimens were cut from sapwood of beech logs and sorted into four matched MC groups. Clear wood samples were conditioned at 20°C and 50, 65, 85, 95 % RH and subjected to compression tests. A digital image correlation technique was used to capture the strains during testing. Young modulus, Poisson ratios, and compression strength were calculated and compared for all orthotropic directions. Results indicated that Young modulus and compression strength of the samples tested were strongly affected by moisture content. Poisson rations seem to less sensitive to the MC changes.

The psychological effects of different types of housing environment under different weather conditions

In order to improve the quality of human being’s living and working environment, different types of wood structure building, ecological architecture and green building are advocated due to their lots of advantages. This study compared three types of houses in different weather conditions on people’s psychological and physiological indexes. The results showed that the temperature, electrocardiograph, heart rate and respiratory rate of people in different types of housing environment are different. Most of the physiological indexes in structural glued laminated and wood structure environment were better than those in steel and concrete structure environment, and most of the physiological indexes in structural glued laminated environment were better than those in the timber structure environment. It means that subjects of the test are easy to had comfortable and relaxed feeling in the glued laminated and timber structure environment. This provided theoretical support for the use of the product by scientific and efficient ways, and guidance for design and application of the construction of the wooden structure environment in the future.

Development of framed poplar plywood for acoustic improvement

Acoustic is a fundamental topic in large environments often characterized by poor sound quality such as dining rooms or open space offices. The paper reports the development and testing of sound absorbing poplar plywood for the acoustic improvement of such spaces; prototypes were designed aiming at acoustic performance and lightness, as an alternative to other acoustic woodbased panels currently on the market. The experimentation ranged from the testing of small specimens to the validation of prototypes in end-use dimensions. Developed panels achieved high sound absorption peaks in the low frequency range (sound absorption coefficient α = 0.80 at frequency of 315 Hz). Prototypes installed on the walls of a dining room reduced significantly its reverberation time (RT60); room users, investigated by a questionnaire, perceived a high acoustic improvement. On the whole the designed products resulted effective sound absorbers; their industrialization can represent a valuable niche for poplar plywood producers.

Correlations and differences between methods for non-destructive evaluation of timber elements

The aim of this paper is to compare the results of evaluation of mechanical properties of timber by visual assessment, two grading machines, three devices for measuring in-situ and destructive tests. The most important result is the comparison of static and dynamic modulus of elasticity of timber, and further comparison of strength classes obtained by different measuring methods.

Glulam beams externally reinforced with CFRP plates

An experimental program was undertaken to investigate the effectiveness of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) plates as flexural reinforcement of glued laminated timber (glulam) beams. Beams with and without reinforcement were tested up to failure in a four-point bending configuration. A comparison between the flexural behaviuor of control unreinforced beams with reinforced beams is shown and discussed. The results demonstrated increase in strength, stiffness and ductility when CFRP plate is bonded at tension side of cross section. Research findings indicated that the use of proposed reinforcing solution improves utilization of the compression characteristics of timber. Based on the experimental observations, a theoretical model is developed to predict the ultimate moment capacity and bending stiffness of CFRP-reinforced glulam beams.

Application of surfaced cutters for machining of wood-based materials

The present paper describes results of recent research aimed to make high wear resistance cutter for machining of wood-based materials. Medium density fibreboard (MDF) was chosen for wear test because it is quite abrasive, ease blunts edges of cutters, is inhomogeneous material: contains glue and different mineral particles. It is well known that cutting particleboard results wearing out of cutter faster than machining of natural wood. Because of this, experimental cutters made by surfacing using submerged arc welding (SAW) technique and prepared material powder mixture spread on the surface of cutters blank, were introduced in this research. Suggested material powder mixture ensured obtaining the high alloyed and wear resistant surface layer on the cutting edge of cutter. The wear performance of experimental and commercial cutter was accomplished on the typical industrial thickness planer with a face milling cutterhead using MDF as workpiece. Wear of experimental cutters showed very similar performance as commercial cutter made of high speed steel HSS18.

Dependence of roughness change and crack formation on parameters of wood surface embossing

This paper deals with roughness change and crack formation after surface embossing of aspen wood. Embossing was carried out with three various shapes of embossing wedges (convex, concave and with 45° angle). The embossing was realized with two temperatures, 20 and 160°C. The surface roughness before and after embossing was evaluated on the basis of the arithmetical mean deviation of the roughness profile, Ra. Surface quality measurements were carried out in perpendicular (transversal) and parallel (longitudinal) direction in relation to wood fibers. Embossment area quality was evaluated by the mean of portion of cracks in embossment. This evaluation was based on digital image of embossed area and subsequently calculation of portion of cracks area in relation to total evaluated area. Elevated temperature has a positive effect on the quality of the surface, because of roughness decrease. However, the increase in temperature causes a growth in the proportion of cracks on the embossed surface.

Model of free water in wood

The derived model describes equilibrium in wood as it is placed it water. The model expresses the equality of density of water and coupled term of basic density and moisture content on the other side. The other part of the model is its extension to water in wood. The maximum moisture content is derived from the view point of density definition. Then Archimedes’ principle enables to measure bound water maximum moisture content. The model is applicable to wood of arbitrary wood species and also for different kind of materials as it is documented in the embedded table.

Visual simulation on accumulation of the differentiating secondary wall layers

This study describes the accumulation of secondary wall layers of the fast-growing Populus×euramericana cv. ‘74 /76’ during the active phase by the methods of polarized light microscopy analysis and computer simulation technology. The results showed that the secondary wall layers of Populus×euramericana cv.‘74/76’ appeared light and shade stratification during the differentiating phase, and the wall layers corresponded to S1, S2 and S3 layer from outside to inside respectively. The S1 and S2 layer of wood fibers were differentiated in May, and the S3 layer was appeared until the July. In addition, the thickness of the three layers all showed a gradual increasing trend. The accumulation process of the secondary wall layers was visually displayed by the computational simulation technology during the active period.

Physical and chemical properties of timber by-products from Pinus leiophylla, P. montezumae and P. pseudostrobus for a bioenergetics use

This paper describes the chemical and physical properties of Pinus leiophylla, P. montezumae and P. Pseudostrobus timber by-products (wood chips, bark and wood-bark). The physical features determined were the initial moisture content, bulk density and calorific value whereas the determined chemical characteristics were pH, inorganic compounds, inorganic compounds microanalysis, extractives, lignin, and holocellulose. Such by-products were collected in the industrial complex at the Indigenous Community of Nuevo San Juan Parangaricutiro, located in Michoacán, México. The initial moisture content of the samples varied from 33.6 to 56%, while their bulk density ranged from 0.19 to 0.31 g.cm-3. The calorific value for the wood residues of the three different species of pines varied from 17.95 to 18.93 MJ.kg-1. Regarding their chemical characteristics, barks were more acid than woods, and in general, the inorganic content was lower in woods than in barks. According to the X-ray microanalysis, the major inorganic compounds found in ash were calcium, magnesium, and potassium. No heavy metals were detected at all. For the three pine species, extractives levels in barks were higher than in woods. Also, barks contained a higher concentration of lignin than woods. The highest holocellulose content was found in wood residues rather than in barks. It is concluded then that the three pine species timber by-products present physic and chemical properties that make them suitable for the production of solid biofuel.

Preservation of rubber wood against biological decay by salts derived from leachate

Wood preservatives are typically chemicals that granted antimicrobial properties to timber, while leachate is the liquid that percolated through accumulation of waste materials. Clostridium butyricum NCIMB 7423 was used to ferment leachate with 1.15 L working volume under anaerobic condition at 37°C and pH 6.5.This research focuses on preserving rubber wood by acids and salts derived from the fermented leachate. First and second set of treatment were performed to study fungal resistance of wood treated by acids and salts respectively. Biological decay test was conducted using Phanerochaete chrysosporium to determine the percentage of mass loss for different preservatives. The salt concentration of 0.5 M sodium acetate and sodium butyrate shows satisfactory result to preserve rubber wood. Thus, the salts derivative could be converted into rubber wood preservative. This research will reflect to material from waste to wealth and support sustainable technology.

Structural and mechanical properties of cork cell walls from quercus variabilis blume (Fagaceae)

The properties of cork are strongly dependent on its cell wall properties. Thus, it is very important to characterize the cork cell walls in order to understand structure-property relationships. The reproduction cork tissue from Quercus variabilis Blume was examined with field-emission scanning electron microscopy to detect the structural characteristics of the cell walls. Several noteworthy anatomical features were present in the cells of Quercus variabilis cork. In most instances, the inner wall of cork cells was not smooth and showed an irregular surface. Solid deposits of various shapes were observed in the inner surfaces of the cell walls. Cell walls of cork tissue had severe corrugations in transverse and radial sections. Trabeculae were found for the first time in the cork tissue of Quercus variabilis Blume. They extended across a few cells, with a rod-like form. Nanoindentation techniques provide a new view of the mechanical properties of the cork cell walls. The hardness of cell walls of untreated and boiled reproduction cork from Quercus variabilis was 0.54 GPa and 0.51 GPa. The elastic modulus was 11.47 GPa and 11.81 GPa, respectively. Boiling treatment of cork could improve mechanical properties of cell walls.

Performance of coated and uncoated horizontal lap-joint members during 20 years of outdoor exposure

Horizontal lap-joint trials were set up using eleven different wood species representing a wide range of natural durability. Coated and uncoated lap-joint specimens as well as non-jointed reference specimens were exposed for up to 20 years and evaluated with respect to decay, formation of cracks and performance of the coating. The tropical wood species Tatajuba, Cedrorana, and Dark Red Meranti performed still very well and also some Europe-grown softwoods with coloured heardwood were still in good shape. The lap-joint set up turned out to be a method that can be used also for determining the durability and performance of untreated naturally durable wood, but suffered from several drawbacks such as time-consuming and costly specimen preparation, difficult to detect onset of decay, and generally long exposure times needed for a reliable durability assessment. Cracks were often the starting point for internal decay, but did not exclusively occur in the lap area.

The effect of the position of 2D roughness measurement on the roughness parameters by natural wood material

There are notable differences between the 2-D standardized surface roughness parameters depending on the position of the profil of the surface roughness eavluation of natural wood.Therefore it is fundamental to determine which parameters are the least dependent on the position of the measured profil. The dependence of the standardized roughness parameters on the different measuring positions varies. We observed the smallest average dependence at the arithmetic average roughness (Pa) parameter of the P-premary profile, and at the Mr1 (threshold as the minimal Asperities’ height distribution AHD )and Mr2 (threshold as the maximal AHD) parameters and “reduced” height peak amplitude (Ppk) was more dependent. The greatest deviation occurs in the mean roughness depth (Pz), maximum height of the profile (Pt), and the maximum roughness depth (Pmax) values. These three parameters whoed the highest differences in function of the measuring positiions.

Surface characteristics of scots pine wood heated at high temperatures after weathering

This study was conducted to investigate some surface properties of wood specimens of heat treated Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) after weathering such as surface hardness, surface roughness, gloss, and color changes. Heat treatment of Scots pine wood was carried out by hot air in an oven for 1, 2, and 3 hours at 210, 220, and 230°C. The results showed that generally surface hardness losses of heat treated Scots pine wood were lower than that of un-heated Scots pine wood after weathering. Heat treated Scots pine wood gave smooth surface after weathering. Except for heat treatment at 230°C for 1 and 2 hours, heat treatment resulted in better glossiness compared to un-heated Scots pine wood after weathering. According to the test results, while heat treated Scots pine wood become lighter after weathering, un-heated wood become darken after weathering. In general, heat treated wood surface to become reddish and yellowish after weathering.

Enzymatic hydrolysis of extruded wheat straw with addition of sodium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide

Extrusion pretreatment of wheat straw in a single screw extruder was investigated in terms of effectiveness of enzymatic hydrolysis and the formation of fermentation inhibitors. The effect of sodium hydroxide in extrusion pretreatment was compared with calcium hydroxide. The accessibility of wheat straw structure to hydrolytic enzymes increased with NaOH and Ca(OH)2 loadings, whereby more with the addition of NaOH. With 6% w/w of NaOH loading, the conversion of polysaccharides was 76.1% and with the same Ca(OH)2 loading it was 47.3%. The conversion of polysaccharides with 12% w/w of Ca(OH)2 loading was 66.6%. Without alkali in extrusion pretreatment, the conversion of polysaccharides was only 36.7%. The polysaccharides conversion of original extruded wheat straw was about 1.5 to 3.3% higher in comparison to washed extruded wheat straw. Fermentation inhibitors such as lignin, acetic and formic acid are primarily formed in the presence of alkali during extrusion pretreatment, most of which was lignin. Alkaline extrusion is a suitable method for pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass.

Effect of extraction period on properties of sugarcane bagasse and softwood chips cellulose

This work evaluates the extraction of sugarcane bagasse (SCB) and soft wood (SW) celluloses with alkali treatment followed by bleaching process using sodium chlorite at different time. The influence of extraction time (2 hrs and 4 hrs) on the thermal, crystallinity and morphological properties was investigated. The extracted celluloses were analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The aromatic skeletal vibrations of lignin and hemicellulose confirmed the extraction of cellulose which varied extraction time. TGA analysis shows that the untreated SCB degrade earlier than their respective celluloses and the prolonged treatment affects the onset of main degradation. XRD results showed that extracted celluloses had greater crystallinity index, and was affected at prolonged time due to long range destruction of cellulose crystals. The SW revealed a complex behaviour due to the dominated lignin content as revealed from chemical composition analyses.