Relation between combustion heat and chemical wood composition during white and brown rot

Summary The results of respective investigations indicate that during white rot the combustion heat of wood (Q_exp (J/g)) remained virtually unchanged and at the greatest extent of decomposition it was in the range also found in non-rotten wood. During brown rot the combustion heat of wood samples increased, beginning at a weight loss of 20–30%. The difference between Q_exp and the weighted mean of combustion heat values of isolated chemical wood components (Q_cal) were neglectable. If Q_exp values measured for each sample were taken as 100%, then Q_cal averaged from 101.1–105.6% and from 97.4–108.2% during white and brown rot, respectively. The Q_cal calculation error is expressed as coefficient k; it varies depending on the accuracy and selectivity of the separation methods used.