Development of a method for sorting picea abies pulp wood with respect to basic density

The basic density of pulp wood can be used to convert green volume to dry weight, and as an indicator of the fibre quality. Because the methods for measuring basic density are cumbersome, a practical, on‐line method for sorting Norway spruce pulp wood with respect to basic density was developed. The relationship between mean annual ring width and basic density was used to sort the pulp wood. Brief visual inspection could separate piles of logs with different mean annual ring widths from each other with an acceptable precision. The resulting classes had significantly different mean basic densities (380, 400 and 434 kg m^?3). Means of other properties, such as juvenile wood content, heartwood content, and dry matter content, also differed among classes.     

On the activation energy of diffusion of water in wood

Summary The diffusion equation for water in wood is expanded in terms of temperature and moisture gradient on the assumption that the driving force for the diffusion of water in wood is the partial pressure of water vapour. An analytic expression is then developed for the activation energy of diffusion in terms of enthalpy and entropy changes associated with the sorption process. The expression is compared with another published curve and some similarity was observed.Symbols C water concentration, kg/m³ - D diffusion coefficient for water vapour in wood with vapour pressure as the driving potential, kg/ms Pa - D_c diffusion coefficient for water vapour in wood with water concentration as the driving potential, m²/s - D_c a constant value of D_c, m²/s - E activation energy of diffusion, J/kg - F flow density, kg/m² s - f h/l - h specific enthalpy, J/kg - L l/R T - l latent heat of vapourization of free water, J/kg - l_s latent heat of vapourization of sorbed water, J/kg - p partial pressure of water vapour, Pa - p_s pressure of water vapour at saturation, Pa - R specifc gas constant for water, J/kg K - r relative humidity - s specific entropy, J/kg K - w dry basis moisture content - x length coordinate, m - a constant temperature equal to 6,800 K - -/ln r - _w density of wood (dry mass/moisture volume) at a given moisture content, kg/m³ - s/R - L style as 2 lines above - free water relative to sorbed water The author is grateful to the Editorial Board in relation to the use of (4)     

Influence on pulping yield and pulp properties of wood density of Acacia melanoxylon

Wood density and pulp yield are key parameters in the evaluation of tree productivity and quality for pulping and their relationships are of high practical importance. The influence of wood density on pulp yield and other pulp quality parameters was investigated using Acacia melanoxylon and its natural variability as a case study. Twenty trees were harvested (five trees in each of four sites in Portugal), and wood discs taken at different height levels, from the base to the top of the tree, providing 100 wood samples, covering the natural variability of wood density ranging from 449?kg?m^?3 to 649?kg?m^?3. Under the same experimental conditions of kraft pulping, screened pulp yield ranged 47.0?C58.2?%, Kappa number 10.9?C18.4, ISO brightness 14.9?C45.6, fibre length 0.660?C0.940?mm and fibre width 16.2?C22.9???m. The pulp yield and Kappa number were not correlated with wood density. Higher pulp yields were associated with lower Kappa numbers and alkali consumption, suggesting the important role of chemical composition of wood on kraft cooking. The results confirm the high pulping potential of Acacia melanoxylon trees grown in Portugal and suggest the possibility of tree selection using both wood density and pulp yield.     

Variability of some wood properties of eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides Bartr.) clones

The objective of this article is to investigate the variability in chemical composition, fiber length, and basic wood density (specific gravity) amongst clones. Wood samples were taken from an experimental plantation in a dense 2.5 × 2.5 m wood, i.e., 1600 trees/ha. The plantation consisted of 127 clones which were selected in the nursery from 11 eastern cottonwood (P. deltoides Bartr., section Aigeiros) half-sib progenies. The physical, structural, and chemical characteristics of 40 poplar clones aged four years were investigated in three model trees from each clone. There are significant differences between the contents of the individual components of the wood chemical composition. The values of the heritability factor are high and they are similar for lignin (0.936), holocellulose (0.937) and for the extractives content (0.999). The mean value of the basic wood density is 380 kg/m³ (coefficient of heritability is 0.938), and the mean value of the fiber length is 863 m (coefficient of heritability 0.611).     

The accuracy of medical CAT-scan images for non-destructive density measurements in small volume elements within solid wood

Summary A comparison between identically sampled CAT-scan images of five wooden test pieces (Pinus sylvestris) showed that the CT-number in each pixel varied with a standard deviation of ±3.9–11.1 CT numbers. This inaccuracy in CT-numbers is called noise. As long as the direction of rotation can be controlled the noise in CAT-scan images of wood can be assumed to be approx. ±4 CT-numbers in each pixel. A calculation showed the average CT-number must differ ±1 unit to distinguish average CT-numbers in 2 × 2 × 1.5 mm volumes within solid wood. It has previously been shown that a change of ±1 CT-number corresponds approx. to a change in density of ±1 kg/m³. On the other hand, there is a difference in X-ray absorption coefficients between wood and water. Thereby dry wood densities in corresponding volumes must differ approx. ±2 kg/m³ to significantly be distinguished. The corresponding figure is approx. ±6 kg/m³ for wet wood densities with moisture content levels ranging from 6–100%.     

Wood drying and Fick's second law

Summary The diffusion equation (sometimes referred to as Fick's second law) is derived in terms of water movement under the action of capillary forces. The mass diffusivity is thereby expressed in terms of the capillary diffusion coefficient. A numerical calculation is given for yellow poplar.Notations C diffusion coefficient for water in wood with capillary pressure as the driving force, kg/msPa - D diffusion coefficient for water in wood with moisture content as the driving force, kg/ms - F mass flux, kg/m²s - p_c capillary pressure, Pa - p_cf capillary pressure extrapolated linearly to fibre saturation, Pa - T absolute temperature, K - t time, s - x distance ordinale in the direction of flow, m - mass diffusivity, m²/s - density of liquid water, kg/m³ - _g basic density (dry mass/green volume), kg/m³ - _w density of wood substance, kg/m³ - moisture content of wood - _cls moisture content at continuous liquid saturation - _cs moisture content at complete saturation - _f moisture content at fibre saturation     

Genetic parameters of growth and wood quality traits in Picea abies

Genetic parameters were estimated for wood and growth traits in two 19-yr-old clonal trials and a 40-yr-old full-sib progeny trial of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.]. In the clonal trials high (>0.4) broad-sense heritabilities were found for wood density traits, lignin content, number of internal cracks, growth traits, spiral grain and number of resin canals. Moderate (0.2–0.4) heritabilities were found for tracheid lumen diameter and cell wall thickness, microfibril angle and tracheid length, while low heritabilities (<0.2) were found for pulp yield, fibre strength, wood stiffness and wood colour. Lignin content and pulp yield showed low genetic variation, whereas the genotypic coefficient of variation for most other traits ranged between 5 and 15%. Most traits showed low levels of genotype by environment interaction. Among the wood properties, latewood proportion, earlywood density and ring density showed significant, adverse correlations with volume in both clonal trials.     

Uptake of metal toxicants by fungal hyphae colonising CCA-impregnated wood

Summary Electronmicroscope microanalyser (EMMA-4) analysis of Poria monticola colonising pine wood treated with a copper-chrome-arsenate preservative has shown that the fungus removes copper chromium and arsenic from the wood and stores these elements within the hyphae to the extent of 3–4% on a mycelial dry weight basis. The total uptake of each element varies from spot to spot examined (each 0.2 m dia.) but is on an average correlated with the concentration of the element in the impregnated wood. It appears that the rate of copper uptake is higher than of arsenic uptake.     

Analysis of the factors influencing the acetylation rate of wood

Factors influencing the rate of acetylation were examined based on the swelling of wood in the reaction solution and the dimensions of the wood sample. The activation energy of acetylation was also estimated. In a swelling test, it was found that wood swells thoroughly in acetic anhydride even without pyridine above 60°C. Therefore, pyridine may facilitate the acetylation process as a catalyst and not as a swelling agent. The weight gain, x (%), attained at reaction time t (h), for various compositions of acetylation solution or dimensions of wood sample were analyzed by applying an original rate equation [x = a × (1 – e^–kt )^1/n ], where a is the ultimate weight gain (%), k is the rate constant (h^–1), and n is a measure of the hindrance against the diffusion of reagent. The optimum volume fraction of pyridine in the pyridine-catalyzed acetylation was about 0.2. Accompanied by a rise in pyridine content, the reaction showed increased diffusion-controlled behavior. The rate constant, which is not affected by the dimensions of the wood sample, was estimated from which an activation energy of about 130kJ/mol was calculated.     

Study of the release in water of chemicals used for wood preservation. Effect of wood dimensions

Summary Various chemicals are used for protecting wood samples against fungi, and some of them are released in water, leading to pollution of the water. The kinetics of pentachlorophenol release in water has here been studied by considering the diffusion through the wood along the three principal axes of diffusion. The experiments and the modelling of the process is successfully coupled. The numerical model takes into account the three principal diffusivities, the partition factor, the volumes of wood and water. The effect of wood sample length along the longitudinal axis of diffusion is studied especially, as longitudinal diffusivity is much higher than the other two principal diffusivities. The effects of the relative volumes of wood and water are also of considerable interest not only for the concentration of the chemical in water but also for the rate of release.Symbols C concentration of liquid (g/cm³)_ - C _c ,C _eq concentration of liquid on the surface, at equilibrium with the surrounding, respectively - C _i,j,k concentration of liquid in the wood at positioni, j, k - D diffusivity (cm²/s) - h coefficient of mass transfer on the surface (cm/s) - K partition factor - i, j, k integers characterizing the position in the wood - M _L ,M _R ,M _T dimensionless numbers - M _t ,M amount of chemical released after time t, after infinite time, respectively - t increment of time - L, R, T thickness of the slices taken in the wood for calculation - N _L ,N _R ,N _T number of slices taken in the wood - x, y, z coordinates - V _water volume of the surrounding water     

Nondestructive sampling of Eucalyptus globulus and E. nitens for wood properties. III. Predicted pulp yield using Near Infrared Reflectance Analysis

  Within-tree variation in kraft pulp yield, predicted using near infrared reflectance analysis, was studied in thirty trees of E. globulus and fifty trees of E. nitens to develop a non-destructive sampling strategy. Trees, aged 5 to 9 years, were sampled across a range of sites in southern Australia. Simulated core samples were removed at six fixed heights easily accessible from the ground (0.5, 0.7, ... 1.5 m) and at seven percentage heights (0, 20, 30, ... 70%). Whole-tree values, calculated from percentage height data, were correlated with the core data to determine the optimal sampling height. Core samples were found to be good predictors of whole-tree pulp yield for E. globulus, with simulated cores taken from the recommended sampling height (1.1 m) explaining more than 50% of variation in whole-tree pulp yield. Results for E. nitens were variable with large site differences apparent. On high quality sites, core samples from the recommended sampling height (0.9 m) were good predictors of whole-tree pulp yield, explaining around 60% of the variation. On poor quality sites, cores were poor predictors of whole-tree pulp yield. Radial orientation of cores was not important and predicted pulp yield was not related to tree size, basic density or fibre length. To estimate stand mean pulp yield to an accuracy of ±1% would require sampling 6 trees of E. globulus and 4 trees for E. nitens using either multiple discs or core samples. A single sampling height (1.1 m) is recommended for sampling for basic density, fibre length, fibre coarseness and predicted pulp yield in E. globulus. For E. nitens the recommended sampling height for basic density and fibre length is 0.7 m and 0.9 m is recommended for predicted pulp yield on good quality sites. Received 17 September 1998     

Physical properties of two tropical wood species from Mozambique

Abstract

The aim of this study was to reveal some important physical properties of two lesser used wood species from Mozambique. Density of wood, green moisture content (MC), shrinkage, swelling, sorption–desorption behaviour and quantitative colour analyses were carried out to facilitate the potential use of Icuria dunensis (ncurri) and Pseudolachnostylis maprounaefolia (ntholo). The study found that the average densities at 12% MC were 907.1 kg m^?3 for ncurri and 1023.4 kg m^?3 for ntholo. The average values of green MC were 31.4% for ncurri and 39.2% for ntholo. Ncurri and ntholo wood showed low coefficients of anisotropy for heartwood, 1.3 and 1.4, respectively. The colour measurements described the patterns of radial and longitudinal variations in wood colour. In conclusion, ntholo and ncurri are characterized by high density and dimensional stability. Ntholo can be used where small dimensional changes are required, e.g. in joinery, flooring and furniture.     

Wood-polymer composites from some tropical hardwoods

Summary Selected tropical hardwoods from Cameroon were impregnated with methyl methacrylate and polymerized in situ using a catalyst-heat technique. The fractional volumetric retentions of monomer and polymer were determined and expressed in terms of the fraction of voids filled by the impregnant. Of the three species tested, Movingui and Bilinga were easily treatable and therefore considered suitable for wood-polymer composites; on the other hand Sapelli was difficult to treat.Notations M Movingui - B Bilinga - S Sapelli - MMA Methyl Methacrylate - PMMA Polymethyl Methacrylate - Fvl average values of the fraction of voids filled by monomer - Fvp average values of the fraction of void filled by polyme - V_m volume fraction of impregnant - V_v void volume fraction of the unimpregnated material - m_c mass of the impregnated material - m_w oven-dry mass of the wood prior to impregnation - _w density of the wood based on oven-dry mass and volume - _m density of the impregnant - _ws density of cell wall material assumed to be 1.54 g/cm³     

Nondestructive sampling of Eucalyptus globulus and E. nitens for wood properties; II. Fibre length and coarseness

Within-tree variation in fibre length and coarseness was studied in fifty trees of E. globulus and E. nitens to develop a non-destructive sampling strategy. Trees, aged 5 to 9 years, were sampled across a range of sites in southern Australia. Simulated core samples were removed at six fixed heights easily accessible from the ground (0.5, 0.7, ... 1.5 m) and at eight percentage heights (0, 10, 20, ... 70%). Whole-tree values, calculated from percentage height data, were correlated with the core data to determine the optimal sampling height. Core samples were found to be reliable predictors of whole-tree fibre length, but results were variable for fibre coarseness. Simulated cores taken from the recommended sampling heights explained 87% and 71% of variation in whole-tree fibre length for E. globulus and E. nitens respectively and 54% and 45% of the variation in whole-tree fibre coarseness. Fibre length at all fixed heights showed good correlations with whole-tree values at all sites for E. globulus. For E. nitens the correlations were slightly lower and variable across sites. Results for fibre coarseness varied across sampling heights and sites for both species. The recommended sampling height for fibre length is 1.5 m for both species, whilst for fibre coarseness, the recommended sampling heights are 0.9 and 1.1 m for E. globulus, and 0.9 and 1.3 m for E. nitens. Radial orientation of cores was not important and neither fibre length nor coarseness were related to tree size or basic density. To estimate stand mean fibre length to an accuracy of ±5% would require sampling 9 whole trees or taking cores from 13 trees for E. globulus and 4 whole trees or cores from 8 trees for E. nitens. For estimating stand mean fibre coarseness, 10 whole trees of E. globulus and 7 whole trees are needed for E. nitens. Core sampling for stand mean coarseness would require more trees: 13 to 21 for E. globulus and 11 to 16 trees for E. nitens. Received 17 September 1998     

Understanding and adding value to Eucalyptus fibre

Eucalyptus wood has become one of the most important hardwood resources for pulp mills worldwide. Furthermore, bleached Eucalyptus pulp is used extensively both in paper-making globally where it is included in such diverse products as tissue, packaging, as well as printing papers and in chemical cellulose products such as viscose, acetate and microcrystalline cellulose. This paper investigates and highlights the physical and chemical attributes of the wood and pulp fibre from Eucalyptus that contribute to its popularity in the pulp and paper-making industries and to suggest how these can be enhanced or conserved in the manufacturing process to add maximum value. The fibre properties of macerated wood samples from a range of Eucalyptus species used commercially in South Africa are compared with those of North American hardwoods such as birch, maple and aspen. In comparison to the American hardwoods, the Eucalyptus species were found to have short and thin fibres (on average, fibre length from 0.6 to 0.8 mm and fibre width between 15 and 17 μm, compared with 0.6–1.4 mm and 17–30 μm, respectively, for the American hardwoods. This particular combination of dimensions for the Eucalyptus fibre produces a low fibre coarseness, which is a highly desirable attribute for products such as coated and uncoated papers. The Eucalyptus fibre is therefore reasonably fragile and this makes it particularly vulnerable to damage during the pulp and bleaching processes. Fibre damage occurs throughout the pulp process but is most severe in the mechanical sections such as digester blowing, high shear mixers, medium- and high-consistency pumps as well as low-consistency refining. These areas are highlighted in this paper and possibilities for fibre conservation are discussed.     

Stiffness and wood variation of 3-year old<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Pinus radiata</Emphasis> clones

The objective of this study was to explore wood variation, especially modulus of elasticity ( moe), density, and microfibril angle ( mfa), in a three-year old Pinus radiata tree clone trial. Moreover, the study examined the potential for genetic selection of radiata pine clones with high moe using current acoustic technology. The clone selection criteria were based on growth traits, basic density, and sound velocity indices to mirror the range in wood density and moe amongst c. 1000 clones. The selected 22 clones, represented by two trees each, were measured for moe, spiral grain, wood density, compression wood percentage, and mfa. Good agreement was found between static moe and dynamic moe. Both static and dynamic moe measurements were found to be primarily dependent on mfa (clonal range 28–39 degrees). Although wood density (clonal range 300–400 kg/m³) did not have a significant influence on moe alone, it was significant in combination with mfa. Compression wood tended to reduce moe and inflate wood density. The opportunities for genetic selection of radiata clones with high stiffness seem promising as the 22 selected clones exhibited a two-fold range of static moe (2.2–4.7 GPa) and the clonal heritabilities ( ) for moe, density and mfa were high.     

Study of the release in water of a chemical used for preservation of wood. Effect of the dimensions of the wood

Summary Various chemicals are used for protecting wood samples against fungi, and some of them are released in water, leading to pollution of the water. The kinetics of release of pentachlorophenol in water has here been studied, by considering the diffusion through the wood along the three principal axes of diffusion. The experiments and the modelling of the process is successfully coupled. The numerical model takes the three principal diffusivities, the partition factor, the volumes of wood and water into account. The effect of the length of the wood sample taken along the longitudinal axis of diffusion is especially studied, as the longitudinal diffusivity is much higher than the other two principal diffusivities. The effect of the relative volumes of wood and water is also of considerable interest not only for the concentration of the chemical in water but also for the rate of release.Symbols C concentration of liquid (g/cm³) - C_s, C_eq,t concentration of liquid on the surface, at equilibrium with the surrounding, respectively - C_i,j,k concentration of liquid in the wood at position (i, j, k) - D diffusivity (cm²/s) - h coefficient of mass transfer on the surface (cm/s) - i, j, k integers characterizing the position in the wood - K partition factor - L, R, T dimensions of the parallelepipedic wood sample - Mini amount of chemical contained in the wood at the beginning of the desorption - M_L, M_R, M_T dimensionless numbers - M_t, M amount of chemical released up to time t, up to infinite time, respectively - N half-number of slices taken in the wood parallelepiped along each dimension - V_water volume of the surrounding water - x, y, z coordinates - L, R, T thickness of the slices taken in the wood for calculation - t increment of time     

Survival,growth, wood basic density and wood biomass of seven-year-old Casuarina species/provenances grown at Kongowe,Kibaha, Tanzania

A performance comparison of seven-year-old individuals of 13 Casuarina species/provenances in terms of survival, growth (diameter, height and volume), wood basic density and wood biomass was undertaken at Kongowe, Kibaha, Tanzania. The trial was laid out using a randomised complete block design with four replications. The results showed significant differences (P < 0.0001) in all parameters. Casuarina equisetifolia from Montazah National Park, Egypt, had the lowest untransformed survival (48.8%), whereas C. equisetifolia from Wagait Tower (North Timor), Indonesia, had the highest survival (87.5%). Casuarina equisetifolia from Montazah National Park, Egypt, had the lowest mean diameter (8.6 cm) while the C. junghuhniana provenance from Timor, Indonesia (seedlot no. 19489) had the highest diameter (14.8 cm). Casuarina equisetifolia from Montazah National Park, Egypt, had the lowest mean height (16.2 m), volume (22.1 m³ ha^?1) and biomass production (23.5 t ha^?1), whereas C. equisetifolia from Hadsamira Songkhla, Thailand, had the highest mean height (24.3 m), volume (66.4 m³ ha^?1) and biomass production (72.9 t ha^?1). In terms of wood basic density, the C. junghuhniana provenance from Timor, Indonesia (seedlot no. 19489) had the lowest (617 kg m^?3), whereas C. equisetifolia from Wagait Tower (North Timor), Indonesia, had the highest (731 kg m^?3). Ordinal ranking for the best-performing species/provenances revealed that the best two provenances were C. equisetifolia from Hadsamira Sonkhla, Thailand, and C. junghuhniana from Timor, Indonesia (seedlot no. 19491). The two poorest-performing provenances were C. equisetifolia from Montazah National Park, Egypt, and C. equisetifolia from Cotonou, Benin. The outstanding species/provenances are recommended for pilot planting at Kibaha and similar sites.     

Measuring wood density by means of X-ray computer tomography

? Wood density is a characteristic of major interest. Usually, it is used as an indicator of wood quality; however, in the context of global change, it is increasingly used for biomass and carbon storage estimations. X-ray computer tomography is a method which enables quick estimates of wood density after applying a calibration procedure.

? A review of the literature is presented in this article. Most of the previous studies have been performed in the 80’s or at the beginning of the 90’s.

? In this study, the relationship between wood density and Hounsfield numbers was investigated using a recent medical scanner. A linear relationship was fitted using a calibration data set which consisted in tropical wood samples representing a large range of densities ranging between 133 and 1319 kg m^?3, and then validated using an independent data set (mainly temperate tree species). The fitted relationships were very strong (R ² > 0.999), whichever the tested scanner settings, with slight but significant effects of the current voltage and reconstruction filters. The RMSE values computed from the validation data set ranged between 5.4 and 7.7 kg m^?3 for densities ranging between 364 and 821 kg m^?3.

? In conclusion, this method of calibration enables the use of a medical scanner to obtain maps of wood density, in a fast and non destructive way, and with a very good accuracy. Very interesting perspectives are opened regarding biomass distribution within trees.

     

Osmotic stress in wood — part II: on the computation of drying stresses in wood

Summary Plastic stress arising in wood during drying is calculated according to the theoretical model developed earlier. The mechanism of stress reversal and the type of resudual stress corresponding to different values of material constants are shown. The results are in qualitative agreement with experimental evidence.List of symbols A coefficient of swelling below the fibre saturation point - C concentration of moisture in wood; weight of moisture per weight of dry wood - C ₀ uniform concentration of moisture in wood at the beginning of drying - C ₁ equilibrium concentration of moisture at the boundary during drying - C =C-C ₁ - non-dimensional concentration - D diffusivity - D ₀ first term in the expansion of diffusivity as function of concentration: D=D ₀(1+D ₁ C+...) - D ₁ secondterm in the expansion (see D ₀) - E Young's modulus - e _ij deviator of tensor of strain: - e _ij ^P deviator of plastic strain: - e _ij ^E deviator of elastic strain - F fibre saturation point (concentration at which the function (c) changes slope) - F =F-C ₁ - g(x,t) function which assumes the value 1 in the elastic zone and 0 in the plastic zone - k von Mises' yield stress - L half width of the sample - M total moisture content - P plastic power - S _ij deviator of stress - S _kk =S ₁₁+S ₂₂+S ₃₃ - S _ij ^E =2 e _ij - T _ij tensor of stress - T _kk =T ₁₁+T ₂₂+T ₃₃ - T non-zero component of stress in a beam or plate - non-dimensional stress - actual stress rate in an elastic zone, fictitious stress rate in a plastic zone - t time - t increment of time - x y z spatial coordinates - X increment of spatial coordinate - Y - Y ₀, Y ₁ terms in the expansion of Y(C): Y(C)=Y ₀(1+Y ₁ C+...) - non-dimensional Y - , (c) coefficient of osmotic expansion (dependent on concentration) - _ij tensor of strain - _kk =₁₁+₂₂+₃₃ - =_yy=_zz non-zero component of strain in the case of a plate or beam - modified strain - elastic constants of an isotropic body - non-dimensional spatial coordinate - Poisson's ratio - non-dimensional time