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A novel process for converting wood chips into improved composite boards, chemicals and fuels
Phone: (608) 332-0189
Email: makhtar@biopulping.com
Title: Research Scientist
Phone: (608) 332-0191
Email: ehorn@biopulping.com
"We have developed a new pretreatment (patent pending) with red pine for medium
density fiberboard (MDF) production, which compared to controls was more resistant to
water infiltration in 24 hour swelling and water adsorption tests. Structural integrity after
water exposure is an important property of MDF and other wood-based composites.
Enhanced water resistance was obtained concurrent with carbohydrate removal, which
can be fermented into additional fuel and chemical products. The objective of this study
is to determine how much carbohydrate can be removed prior to MDF formation and the
effect of treatment on MDF strength and water resistance. Process constraints
(temperature, time of treatment and chemical loading) using oxalic acid and its
derivatives need to be determined to maximize sugar recovery and retain enhanced MDF
properties. Phase I studies will be extended to hardwoods, small diameter materials and
mixed biofiber sources to explore the possible economic and performance enhancements
of this new process. Similar results with these new starting materials will enhance the
health of forests, create a new resource for fermentation to bio-based fuels and chemicals,
and still produce a new and improved MDF product."
* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *