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District heating systems play a crucial role in the European Union for sustainable energy practices by contributing to reducing carbon emissions and thus counteracting climate change. In most European countries, the energy consumption for heating is a topic that needs to be considered. Germany has recognized the need for more awareness among its citizens about district heating systems. Therefore, an interactive website was developed in close cooperation with the city of Weilheim in Bavaria, Germany. The goal is to inform citizens about the district heating system under construction. The website aims to improve user engagement through interactive features, including a quiz, an interactive calculator, and various animations and images. The application focuses on the primary energy sources biomethane, solar energy, wood chips, and the use of environmental heat through heat pumps. The website was evaluated at a local secondary school, which yielded positive feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the development of electrically conductive panels for application as emergency detection sensors in smart house systems. These panels, composed of wood chips coated with polymeric methylene diphenyl isocyanate, were modified with carbon black and carbon fibers to enable detection of moisture, temperature, and pressure variations. Manufactured via hot pressing, the panels retained standard mechanical properties and exhibited stable performance under diverse environmental conditions. Carbon black-filled panels achieved electrical percolation at a lower filler concentration (5%) compared to carbon fiber-filled panels. The incorporation of carbon black reduced the electrical resistivity to 8.6 ohm·cm, while the addition of carbon fibers further decreased it to 7.7 ohm·cm. In terms of sensor capabilities, panels containing carbon fibers demonstrated superior sensitivity to moisture and pressure changes. However, carbon black was ineffective for temperature sensing. Among the carbon fiber-filled panels, those with 20 wt.% concentration exhibited the best performance for moisture and pressure detection, whereas panels with 40 wt.% carbon fiber content displayed the most reliable and consistent temperature-sensing properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates lignocellulosic biocomposites' physicochemical properties and strength parameters with varying thermoplastic content. Biocomposites were prepared using wood (Pinus sylvestris) or hemp shives (Cannabis sativa L.) combined with 25% and 50% ABS regranulate. The research focused on evaluating the mechanical energy consumption during the compaction of wood-ABS biocomposites with different pine fractions pretreated with hot water extraction (HWE) and analyzing the relationship between strength and thermoplastic content. Results indicate that the composition of the mixture and the size of the hemp shives fraction did not significantly influence energy consumption during densification. Energy values ranged from 1.234 × 10⁻8 J to 8.296 × 10⁻8 J. While the densification of pine after HWE was unsuccessful without ABS, preheating the mixtures with ABS facilitated the production of a uniform composite. The work required for densification ranged from 1.404 × 10⁻5 J to 2.711 × 10⁻5 J for fractions without ABS. For mixtures with ABS, the work required was 1.954 × 10⁻5 J for fraction 0 ÷ 0.4 (f1) and 0.042 × 10⁻5 J for fraction 0.4 ÷ 0.8. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water has different forms of existence in wood (free water and bound water), which can generate different effects on the microstructure of wood. Compared to other methods, the freeze-thawing method is equipped with simple, environmentally friendly, and low-cost features. In this paper, the permeability of wood with different ratios of free water to bound water (water content), as well as the pore structure characteristics and electrochemical properties after carbonization, were investigated by the freeze–thaw method. The results show that dry samples of poplar chips with a moisture content of 15–17% after KMnO4 and freeze–thaw cycle treatment and carbonization (PC@15%-MnO) have a specific surface area of 936.94 m2/g. The areal specific capacitance is 4784 mF/cm2 at a current density of 12 mA/cm2, which is 3.3 and 22 times higher than those of wood-derived carbon without freeze–thaw treatment, respectively. Additionally, PC@15%-MnO maintains 80% of its specific capacitance after 2000 testing cycles, indicating that the freeze–thaw method effectively enhances the permeability, pore structure, and electrochemical properties of wood-derived carbon materials. This strategy offers new avenues for the research and application of wood in electrode materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mining waste creates challenging soil conditions that hinder tree establishment for boreal forest restoration. This study investigated the effects of adding topsoil or ramial chipped wood (RCW) on the physicochemical properties of waste rock and the growth and survival of planted native tree species. A randomized-block setup with four replications of four treatments was established on a gold mine site in western Quebec, Canada in 2018, and planted with Pinus banksiana and Abies balsamea. Results demonstrated that topsoil addition significantly improved height and diameter growth, aerial and root biomasses, survival, and nutrient uptake (N, P, and S) in conifer seedlings. Concomitantly, water content increased, pH lowered and nutrient concentrations increased in the substrate with a topsoil layer. However, multivariate analysis revealed that these improved soil conditions alone did not determine the survival and growth of conifer seedlings. In contrast, the application of RCW-based treatments had no discernible impact on the growth and survival of the planted trees. Additionally, topsoil amendment effectively reduced the concentration of potentially phytotoxic elements in soil and needles, particularly arsenic. The total arsenic concentration in the mineral substrate (84.1 to 507 µg.g− 1) emerged as a growth-limiting factor for both conifer species. The total concentration of arsenic in the waste rock correlated positively with arsenic accumulation in the tree needles, indicating potential root uptake of this element. This study emphasizes the significance of addressing arsenic availability during reclamation efforts at mine sites. Nonetheless, further research is required to determine the phytotoxic thresholds of arsenic on conifers and its potential metabolic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of torrefaction of the biopellets made from hardwood chip residue (HW), camellia oilseed cake (CO), and pruning remnants of the toothache tree (TA) and mulberry tree (MT) were evaluated. Torrefaction of the biopellets reduced the volatile matter content of biopellets by 18–58% and increased their heating value by 18–58% without negatively impacting durability or fines content. Torrefaction also reduced the initial ignition time of biopellets by 50–59% and prolonged their combustion duration by 15–24%. Regardless of the type of feedstock, all biopellets exhibited mass yields in the range of 60–80% and energy yields ranging from 80–95%. The novelty of this study lies in the application of torrefaction to already-formed biopellets, which enhances pellet quality without the need for binders, and the use of unused forest biomass and wood chip residue from pulp mills. The use of unused forest biomass and wood chip residue from pulp mills for biopellet production not only provides a sustainable and efficient method for waste utilization but also contributes to environmental conservation by reducing the reliance on fossil fuels. Overall, the torrefaction of biopellets represents a promising technology for producing high-quality solid biofuel from a variety of woody biomass feedstocks without compromising pelletizing efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of average chip thickness and blade wear on the cutting power consumption and surface quality obtained in up-milling wood of different densities. The surface roughness was investigated using the contact method, recording the roughness parameters Ra and Rz, and the cutting power was determined using a wattmeter. The research was conducted for two variants of blade wear, i.e., sharp and blunt, and three variants of chip thickness (0.10, 0.06, and 0.02 mm). Four wood species with very different densities were tested, i.e., balsa (Ochroma pyramidale (Cav. ex Lam.) Urb.), obeche (Triplochiton scleroxylon K. Schum.), alder (Alnus glutinosa L. Gaertn.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) For the lowest density woods, a better surface quality was found when cutting with a blunt knife compared to a sharp knife, while for the higher density woods (alder and beech) an inverse relationship was observed, i.e., a blunt knife resulted in increased surface roughness. For obeche wood, the surface roughness was dependent on the chip thickness. In addition, for low-density woods (balsa and obeche), no differences in cutting power were shown as a function of blade condition. It was shown that both an increase in wood density and chip thickness resulted in an increase in cutting power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predictive maintenance has gained importance due to industrialization. Harnessing advanced technologies like sensors and data analytics enables proactive interventions, preventing unplanned downtime, reducing costs, and enhancing workplace safety. They play a crucial role in optimizing industrial operations, ensuring the efficiency, reliability, and longevity of equipment, which have become increasingly vital in the context of industrialization. The analysis of time series' stationarity is a powerful and agnostic approach to studying variations and trends that may indicate imminent failures in equipment, thus contributing to the effectiveness of predictive maintenance in industrial environments. The present paper explores the use of the Augmented Dickey–Fuller p-value temporal variation as a possible method for determining trends in sensor time series and thus anticipating possible failures of a wood chip pump in the paper industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increasing efforts to lower CO2 emissions globally, the demand for carbon-based resources in industries remains on a high level, leading to new technologies being able to provide those essential carbon sources. To the best of our knowledge, we were able to show for the first time the adaption of a readily available gasifier for the gasification of wood chips using only O2 (18.4–23.1 Vol.-%) and CO2 as gasification agents, creating a nitrogen-free product gas. It was found that the setup used was able to convert up to 27.2% of the CO2 from the gasification agent to CO, creating a promising route for the production of renewable carbon sources for future carbon-based applications. Furthermore, no decrease in gasification performance was observed as the cold gas efficiency was at 83.5–95.5% with only minor formation of tar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood chips and sawdust are used for cultivating Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms. In Northern Europe, side-streams of Pinus sylvestris are highly abundant, however as cultivation substrate they inhibit the growth of G. lucidum. To identify the changes in lignocellulosic composition after fungal degradation, the major lignocellulosic components in P. sylvestris and an optimal substrate for G. lucidum, Populus tremula were analyzed. Populus tremula was evenly degraded while the glucan fraction of P. sylvestris was not degraded and its lignin fraction was consumed almost completely. Despite not being an optimal substrate, P. sylvestris was successfully delignified by G. lucidum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• LCA evaluated P recovery scenarios involving HTC and struvite production. • System expansion by substitution handled allocation challenges. • A method for scaling up lab data to industrial scale was demonstrated. Phosphate rock is a finite, non-renewable mineral resource that is used primarily in fertiliser production. The scarcity and the increasing demand for this finite material led the European Commission to include it in the critical raw material list in 2014. As a consequence, efforts have been directed towards enhancing material use efficiency, initiating recycling efforts, and formulating waste policies to mitigate the criticality of raw materials. Interest in the development of technologies for nutrient recovery from organic waste streams has increased in recent years, and dairy processing sludge (DPS) is a potential input waste stream. Although the recovery of P from DPS can contribute to more circular flows of nutrients in society, it has to be assessed whether there are also overall environmental gains. This paper reports on a life cycle assessment (LCA) of the environmental impacts of three scenarios for phosphorus (P) recovery involving hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) and struvite precipitation and a comparison to a reference drying scenario. HTC produces a solid fraction (hydrochar), and a liquid fraction (process water) and in one of the scenarios (Scenario 3), leaching the hydrochar for additional P recovery is considered. From the process water as well as from the hydrochar leachate, P is precipitated in the form of struvite. Scenarios 1 and 2 both consider HTC and struvite production with the only difference that the hydrochar is used as a fuel instead of as a fertilizer in the latter case, and Scenario 3 adds leaching of the hydrochar with subsequent struvite production and considers that hydrochar is used as a fuel. In the fourth (reference) scenario, dewatering and drying of DPS is considered. The recovered product use in agriculture was not assessed at this stage. The assessment of the emerging technologies in Scenarios 1–3 was done by studying the technologies in early stages of development but modelling them as more developed in the future. Additional functions beyond the functional unit of one kg of P recovered were handled through a system expansion by substitution approach. This way, the system was credited for calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) production in all scenarios and for wood chips production in Scenarios 2 and 3. Looking at net outcomes for all scenarios, the life cycle impact indicator results for scenario 2 are lower than the other scenarios in several impact categories. Large gains in scenario 2 are related to the avoided production of wood chips. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for particleboard is increasing along with economic and population growth. However, two major barriers to the manufacture of particleboard are a shortage of raw materials (woodchips) and the emission of formaldehyde from conventional adhesives. Agricultural by-products such as corn stalks contain an abundance of renewable lignocellulosic fiber. This study evaluates the effect of citric acid as a natural adhesive and fire retardant addition on the physical, mechanical, and fire retardancy properties of particleboards fabricated from corn stalks. A cost-effective and inorganic salt, calcium carbonate, was tested to enhance the fire retardancy. Ammonium dihydrogen phosphate was also considered as a comparative control. Particleboards with the addition of calcium carbonate was pretreated with sodium chloride. The particleboards were pressed for 10 min at 200°C. Japanese Industrial Standard JIS A 5908:2022 was used as the benchmark for the physical and mechanical tests. Fire retardancy was dynamically tested by simulating a Bushfire Attack Level of 19 kW/m2. The particleboard with 25 wt% citric acid had superior mechanical properties and complied with the JIS A 5908 standard for Type 13 base particleboard. Particleboard with the addition of calcium carbonate (5% and 10%) showed significantly delayed pyrolysis time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The catalytic activity of Ni/dolomite during biomass (wood chips) gasification was examined in a fluidized bed reactor. Ni-dolomite with Ni contents of 0% (dolomite), 10%, 20% and 25% (25%Ni/dolomite) was prepared by precipitating method. Effect of equivalence ratio, ER (0.078–0.128), temperature (700–850 °C) and Ni content on syngas composition, gas yield (GY), tar content in the product gas (TC), char conversion efficiency (CCE) and cold gas efficiency (CGE) was studied. An increase in ER led to an increase in GY and CCE, while TC gradually decreased. Increasing temperature contributed to more char conversion, gas production and tar elimination. The results also showed that Ni/dolomite had a high catalytic activity in terms of tar cracking/reforming, upgrading the produced syngas quality, as well as enhancing char conversion. Higher Ni content (0–20%) was more favorable for gas production, char conversion and tar reduction. However, a further increase in Ni content led to a slight increase in the gas quality and yield due to coke formation and subsequently a reduction in the availability of CaO and MgO active sites. Comparing with dolomite, the use of Ni/dolomite improved the gas quality and the gasifier performance, the optimal value of Ni content was found to be 20% at 850 °C and ER of 0.128. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A detailed process model is proposed to simulate the air-gasification of biomass (wood chips) in a bubbling fluidized bed gasification system at different temperatures (650–800 °C) and equivalence ratios, ERs (0.08–16), using ASPEN Plus simulator. The process was assumed fully steady-state, and gasification section was modeled by implementing FORTRAN user-subroutines for reaction kinetics and hydrodynamic parameters. Experimental results from air-gasification of wood chips in a bubbling fluidized bed gasifier were used to validate the model. The model predictions were in good agreement with experimental results. The validation results also showed that ASPEN Plus can describe the gasification process in fluidized bed gasifiers well. Specifically, ER initially decreased the carbon conversion efficiency (CCE), with a minimum followed by an increase. An optimal ER was crucial for minimizing tar yield (TY). Higher temperatures yielded higher H2 contents and lower tar yields. Smaller particles decreased TY and increased gas lower heating value (LHV). Under optimal conditions (ER = 0.13, T = 750 °C, and D = 0.2 mm), the product gas generated during air-gasification of wood chips achieved a low tar yield of 4.61 g/Nm3. These results confirmed the significant potential of biomass gasification in high-quality syngas production with low tar content. This article also provides valuable information for selecting operation conditions to achieve high-quality syngas for engineering applications and lays a foundation for the design of industrial-scale fluidized bed gasifiers in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic mulching has been suggested as an option for managing spontaneous species in restoration plantings and can promote improvements in soil properties and performance of planted species. The aim of this study was to test the effect of crowning techniques on soil microclimatic and performance of forest seedlings. The experiment was carried out in Goiás state, Brazil. Two study factors were used: crowning techniques (manual weeding, cardboard, wood chipping and control—without weed competition management), and six tree species: Anadenanthera peregrina, Ceiba speciosa, Dipteryx alata, Inga edulis, Genipa americana and Spondias mombin. Soil temperature and moisture assessments were performed within the crowning area (0.25 m2). Seedling survival and growth in height and diameter were evaluated over 219 days. Organic mulching treatments of wood chipping and cardboard provided increase in soil moisture and decrease in temperature, resulting in higher seedling survival rate. The increase in height and diameter differed among species under study, with A. peregrina standing out in height and C. speciosa in diameter. The crowning techniques did not influence the average height of species; however, wood chipping provided greater diameter increase. The findings of this study indicate that mulching treatments, by contributing to increase soil moisture and decrease soil temperature, can be used as crowning techniques to increase the survival rate and diameter growth of tree species in restoration plantings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our work aimed to compare the chip pile volumes calculated by laser ground scanning, UAV technology, and laser ground measurement and also to determine the accuracy, speed, and economic efficiency of each method. The large chip pile was measured in seven different ways: band measurement, laser measurement with Vertex, global navigation satellite system, handheld mobile laser scanner, terrestrial laser scanner, drone, and smartphone with a light detection and ranging sensor. All the methods were compared in terms of accuracy, price, user-friendliness, and time required to obtain results. The calculated pile volume, depending on the method, varied from 2588 to 3362 m3. The most accurate results were provided by the terrestrial laser scanning method, which, however, was the most expensive and the most demanding in terms of collecting and evaluating the results. From a time and economic point of view, the most effective methods were UAVs and smartphones with LiDAR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of fruit tree seedlings generates waste wood biomass, which results from the pruning of budded rootstocks in the first year of the two-year production cycle. This study proposes a new method of managing this biomass by recycling the wood chips (2, 3 and 5 t ha−1) back into the soil. The impact of different wood chip doses on selected physicochemical soil properties after the production process (especially soil organic carbon content (SOC), as well as the quantity and quality of the produced Malus domestica fruit tree seedlings, was determined. The recycling of waste biomass contributed to enriching the soil with additional components, mainly organic carbon with the potential for biotransformation into humic substances. The applied doses of wood chips, in amounts of 2, 3, and 5 t ha−1, resulted in an increase in SOC content compared to the control by 21.5%, 22.5%, and 35.8%, respectively. Additionally, the recycling of waste biomass introduced other compounds important for plant growth and development into the soil, particularly iron, zinc, magnesium, and manganese. It should be noted that the proposed method of managing waste biomass generated during the apple tree seedling production stage resulted in reduced production costs while maintaining high production indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acacia mearnsii De Wild (black wattle) is one of the most important forestry crops in South Africa. The bark of this species contains high-quality tannins, while its wood is used for wood chips, charcoal and mining timber. One of the main problems faced by black wattle farmers is frost damage, thus there is an urgent need to develop frost-tolerant black wattle varieties. A quick method for the screening of frost tolerance variation would be beneficial for black wattle breeders and would result in the need for fewer families to undergo field trials. Frost tolerance in plants is directly related to their ability to undergo cold acclimation in response to changing weather conditions. During the cold acclimation process, many physiological changes occur, including modifications in protein expression. In this study, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was used to investigate changes in protein expression among 40 black wattle families with varying levels of frost tolerance before and after a cold-stress treatment. The proteomic data generated from this was analysed using multivariate analysis. Six proteins were observed to be upregulated in frosttolerant black wattle families. The proteins were identified and have been previously shown to contribute to the protection of cellular membranes, maintenance of photosynthetic processes and the prevention of protein misfolding and aggregation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Woodchips as a source of particulate organic carbon (POC) are proposed as a nature-based solution to enhance nutrient uptake and retention in agricultural streams. However, the effective implementation of woodchips for nutrient removal in streams requires an advanced understanding of their potential and limits, considering their performance under various environmental conditions. This study tested the efficiency of woodchips on the uptake of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and ammonium (N-NH4) across different experimental scales and complexity. We investigated whether the presence of woodchips can increase SRP and N-NH4 uptake in laboratory flumes under controlled conditions, outdoor flumes under semi-controlled conditions, and agricultural streams. Additionally, we examined how the effects of woodchips will change over time via a 6-week incubation in the outdoor flumes. Methods: The woodchips were pre-colonized for four weeks to allow the growth of biofilms. We performed short-term nutrient additions without (control) and with (treatment) woodchips in all three experimental setups. Uptake parameters were determined via concentration changes over time in the laboratory flumes and concentration changes over travel distance in the outdoor flumes and the stream channels. The effects of woodchips on SRP and N-NH4 uptake rates were analyzed using an effect size model. Results: We found positive effects of woodchips on nutrient uptake only in the laboratory flumes but no or even negative effects in the outdoor flumes and the agricultural streams. Over the 6-week incubation in the outdoor flumes, we did not observe significant changes in the effects of woodchips on nutrient uptake. Discussion: These findings highlight that considering experimental scales and influencing environmental conditions is crucial when testing the application of woodchips as nature-based solutions to mitigate nutrient loads in agricultural streams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a by-product of wastewater treatment, sewage sludge can be used for natural, agricultural, or energy purposes. One method of preparing sludge for management and use is solar drying. To intensify the drying process, natural additives can be used to alter the structure of the sludge and accelerate the evaporation of water. This research aimed to evaluate the influences of different organic additives in sewage sludge mixtures on the physicochemical and energy parameters of briquettes. This research was carried out without thermal boosting in a 4 × 2.5 × 2 m plastic tunnel. The tunnel was equipped with three drying stations and control and measuring equipment. In two test series, sludge additives in the form of straw and lignocellulosic materials, sawdust, bark, woodchips, and walnut shells, were used. Briquettes were made from the resulting mixtures and then subjected to physical and chemical analyses. This research showed high variability in the contents of trace elements, nitrogen, and sulphur in relation to an increase in the amount of sludge in the briquettes, which, for the briquettes made from sewage sludge, was nearly twice as high as for the briquettes made from the mixtures. The results of the flue gas analysis for the briquettes with sawdust and wood chip additives were very similar. The briquettes made from sewage sludge with lignocellulosic materials (bark and wood chips) had fuel properties similar to woody biomass, with a calorific value and heat of combustion of 15–16 MJ/kg. Fibrous additives (straw) significantly increased the strength parameters of the briquettes, by more than 50% of the value. The compositions and properties of the mixtures affected the following briquetting parameters: temperature and compressive force. The briquettes made from sewage sludge and additives can be classified according to ISO 21640 as SRFs (solid recovered fuels). In most of the results, the net calorific value (NCV) was 3 to 4; the chlorine content (CL) was 2 to 1; and the mercury content (Hg) was 1. The sewage sludge mixtures facilitated the agricultural and energy use of the briquettes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article from World Pumps discusses the challenges and opportunities faced by manufacturers in the pulp and paper market in Latin America. Despite challenges such as declining demand for traditional paper products and environmental concerns, the industry continues to thrive, with Latin America leading in kraft pulp production. The region's favorable climate, abundant resources, and infrastructure have contributed to rapid growth, with new plants being developed to meet increasing demand. Pump manufacturers play a crucial role in the production process, with digitalization and automation enhancing efficiency and performance in the industry. [Extracted from the article]

Anaerobic fungi are known to migrate and establish a 3D network of biofilms (microbiomes) and live invisible in the rumen and terrestrial subsurface, deep-sea - marine, and anoxic environment. They deserve our attention to understand anoxic fungal ecology and functions and develop new products and solutions. Such fungi activate unique genes to produce various polysaccharidases deemed essential for degrading plants' lignocellulosic materials. Nutrient release, recycling, and physical support by anaerobic fungi are crucial for microbiome formation. Multiple reports point to the ability of strictly anaerobic and facultative fungi to adapt and live in anoxic subsurface. Deep-sea sediments and natural anoxic methane-emitting salty waters of sulfidic springs offer suitable habitats for developing prokaryotic-fungal microbiomes. Researchers found a billion-year-old fossil of the fungus-prokaryotic sulfate-reducing consortium buried in deep-sea biospheres. Fungal spores' ability to migrate, even after germination, through sandy layers demonstrates their potential to move up and down porous geological layers or rock fissures. Selective fungal affinity to specific wood in wood chip arrays might help differentiate viable anaerobic fungi from an anoxic environment for their rapid collection and investigation. New collection methods, cultivation, gene expression, and drug and enzyme activity analyses can boost anaerobic fungal research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 (CZA) catalysts promoted by addition of CeO2, MnO2 or ZrO2 in direct methanol production from unconventional syngas was experimentally investigated. The unconventional syngas used in this study contain 25% H2, 25% CO, 20% CH4, 20% CO2 and 10% N2, representing biomass‐derived syngas cultivated from an industrial wood chips pyrolysis plant. The catalysts were synthesised using co‐precipitation technique and tested for methanol synthesis in a fixed‐bed reactor. The activity test of the catalysts showed that the addition of CeO2 or ZrO2 to the CZA catalyst improved the methanol yield, albeit with lower selectivity, whereas adding MnO2 enhanced methanol selectivity but decreased the methanol yield. ZrO2‐promoted catalyst showed the best‐improved activity and stability. The calcined and spent catalysts were characterised using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), N2 physisorption, N2O chemisorption, hydrogen temperature‐programmed reduction (H2‐TPR) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The characterisation results indicate that the catalytic activity is dependent on Cu dispersion, Cu‐active surface area, the catalyst reducibility, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area and the Cu0/Cu+ ratio. In contrast, catalyst stability was related to the proportion of Cu+ among all surface Cu species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High particulate matter levels in cage-free (CF) houses have led to concerns from producers, as that can pose significant risks to the health and well-being of hens and their caretakers. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an electrostatic particle ionization (EPI) + bedding management (BM) treatment in reducing particulate matter (PM) concentrations. Four identical CF rooms each housed 175 hens for six weeks, with two rooms assigned to the EPI + BM treatment (EPI + 20% wood chip topping over 81-week-old litter) and the other two as controls. Measurements of PM were conducted twice a week for 10 min using TSI DustTrak. Additionally, small and large particle concentrations were monitored continuously using a Dylos monitor, with a sampling period of one minute. Footpad scoring was recorded for logistic analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA with the Tukey HSD method (p < 0.05). Results demonstrated that the EPI + BM treatment significantly reduced particle counts (37.83% decrease in small particles, 55.90% decrease in large particles) compared to the control group (p < 0.01). PM concentrations were also substantially lowered across different size fractions, ranging from 58.41% to 64.17%. These findings underscore the effectiveness of the EPI + BM treatment in reducing PM in CF houses. The integration of EPI and bedding management innovated in this study holds promise for improving air quality and contributing to the well-being of hens and caretakers in CF housing systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to systematically investigate not only the influence of different additive types—beyond the much-considered case of aluminum-silicate-based additives—but also to carry out an additional comparison between primary and secondary emission mitigation measures during small-scale wood-chip combustion. Hence, combustion trials are realized within a 33-kW combustion plant. Pine wood chips additivated with 1.0 wt%a.r. of four additives have shown promising emission reduction effects in the past; namely kaolin (i.e., aluminum-silicate-based), anorthite (i.e., aluminum-silicate- and calcium-based), aluminum hydroxide (i.e., aluminum-based), and titanium dioxide (i.e., titanium-based). In addition to the primary mitigation measure (i.e., (fuel) additivation), an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) as a common secondary mitigation measure for total particulate matter (TPM) reduction is used for comparison. In addition to standard analyses (e.g., gravimetric determination of TPM emissions), an extended methodology (e.g., characterization of the elemental composition and ultrafine particle fraction of TPM emissions) is applied. The results show that the additivation of wood chips with kaolin and anorthite can lead to an operation of the combustion plant in compliance with the German legal TPM limit values by undercutting the absolute emission level achievable by the ESP. Additionally, kaolin and anorthite achieve significant reductions in carbon monoxide (CO) emissions, while kaolin simultaneously, and similarly to ESP, also leads to a shift in the particle size number distribution of PM emissions towards coarser particles. All additives show a significant reduction of potassium (K) emissions by the formation of high-temperature stable K compounds in the resulting ashes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The characteristics of biochar vary widely depending on the type of biomass and thermochemical conversion method. In this study, four types of biomass (kenaf, rice husk, corncob, and wood chips) were subjected to hydrothermal carbonization and torrefaction at 220 °C, 260 °C, and 300 °C for 30 min. The acquired biochars showed significant differences in the type of reaction and biomass. At each temperature, the decomposition of volatiles was more severe in hydrochar (HC) than in torrefied char (TC). The mass yields of HC were 44.30–61.63 wt.% (220 °C), 20.89–37.04 wt.% (260 °C), and 12.59–29.19 wt.% (300 °C), whereas the mass yields of TC were 94.73–97.69 wt.% (220 °C), 87.19–95.04 wt.% (260 °C), and 68.22–80.78 wt.% (300 °C). The elemental and thermal characteristics of TC changed gradually as the reaction temperature increased, and the characteristics of HC were enhanced rapidly. Wood chip biochar that was reacted at 300 °C showed the highest heating values of 28.77 MJ/kg (HC) and 21.09 MJ/kg (TC). The results of chemical analyses showed that hydrothermal carbonization strongly affected the cleavage of inter- and intra-molecular carbon bonds in cellulose and hemicellulose. In contrast, torrefaction removed the thermally fragile moisture and hemicellulose content from biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon Dioxide Removals (CDR) and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) have received a lot of attention as a tool to mitigate climate change and reach climate neutrality. Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) is seen as one of the more promising CDRs, and from 2026, the Danish utility Ørsted is establishing the first BECCS plants in Denmark. We present a case study of BECCS by installing CCS at a biomass‐fired CHP plant and the aim is to quantify the CDR potential and carbon dynamics of the BECCS system. Moreover, the study aims to quantify the emissions related to capturing and store CO2. The GHG emissions from CCS including heat, electricity, transport and storage are approximately 100 kgCO2/t stored CO2 and the carbon payback time of the BECCS system is 3–4 years relative to leaving the wood in the forest or at processing industries. The main driver of the payback time is the additional use of biomass to operate CCS which shifts the timing of CO2 emissions more towards the present. The additional biomass use also increases supply chain emissions, and on top of that, only 90% of the direct CO2 emissions from the CHP plant are captured. The study illustrates the importance of temporal scope in assessing the CDR potential of BECCS. With continuous use of biomass, GHG emissions are 207 kgCO2/t stored CO2 in year 1 and −742 kgCO2/t stored CO2 in year 99. This study reveals inconsistencies in the assessment of the CDR potential of BECCS in the literature. There is a considerable need for further research within this field to assess how BECCS can contribute to mitigating climate change and on the appropriate scale of BECCS deployment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The influence of pulping variables on the pulp and black liquor properties for a neutral sulphite semi-chemical pulping system was investigated in a pilot plant pulping setup situated at an industrial paper mill. Eucalyptus chips were used as raw material and the operating variables were Na2SO3 charge (8–18% w/w on oven-dry wood), Na2CO3 charge (0.5–3.0% w/w on oven-dry wood) and maximum cooking temperature (160–180 °C). Response surface methodology was used to parametrize empirical models to find the optimal conditions for maximizing the short-span compression strength index of the pulp. The derived regression models for the black liquor properties and the pulp hypo number had R2-adjusted values above 0.8 and p-values for overall significance below 0.05. The derived regression models for the handsheet strength properties had R2-adjusted values between 0.3 and 0.45 and p-values for overall significance either below 0.05 or between 0.05 and 0.1. The sulphite charge, followed by the carbonate charge, had the most notable effect on the evaluated properties with the effects of temperature being less significant. Optimization of the pilot plant system showed that the short-span compression strength index of the pulp could be maximized to 26.7 N m/g, using a sulphite charge of 9.4% (w/w on oven-dry wood) and a carbonate charge of 1.94% (w/w on oven-dry wood), similar to short-span compression strength indices typically achieved using other pulping processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass continues to play a key role as an alternative to fossil fuels. Woody biomass produces lower greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuels. However, in order to consider biomass as 'green energy', a number of factors should be taken into account, including the characterization of the quality of the resource. Therefore, monitoring quality parameters, such as moisture, ash, N content, is essential to assess the sustainability of biomass for energy production. This paper presents the results of laboratory analyses performed on wood chip samples from four Italian regions over a five-year period (2019–2023). In particular, all quality parameters defined by ISO 17225-9 for industrial wood chips were assessed. Data were analyzed using descriptive, parametric, non-parametric statistics, and multivariate analysis. An interest in quality monitoring has been observed, indicated by an increase in the number of samples received from suppliers and an enhancement in the average values of quality parameters. Moreover, an overall decrease in moisture and N content has been observed, while ash content and heating value have undergone non-linear variations. Statistically significant quality differences between samples from different regions may be the result of different practices, such as outdoor or indoor storage, climate differences, different biomass growth conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From a circular bio-economy perspective, biomass valorization requires the implementation of increasingly efficient extraction techniques to ensure the environmental and economic sustainability of biorefining processes. This research focuses on optimizing the specialized metabolite extraction of Turkey oak chips from Quercus cerris L. by applying a 3 levels Full Factorial Design (FFD). The goal is to obtain an extract with the highest antioxidant activity [evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays] and specialized metabolites content [measured as total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), condensed tannin content (CTC), and hydrolysable tannins content (THC)]. With this objective, three different variables were investigated and compared: temperature (20 °C, 50 °C, 80 °C), solvents EtOH/H2O (0%, 20%, 40%), and time (3 h, 6 h, 24 h), resulting in 27 different extracts. Following the FFD analysis, the optimal extractive conditions were determined to be 80 °C, 40% EtOH/H2O, and 19.8 h. Finally, the prediction ability of FFD was compared with that of artificial neural network (ANN) for DPPH scavenging activity, FRAP, and TPC data based on the coefficient of determination (R2), mean absolute error (MAE), and root mean square error (RMSE). The results indicated that ANN predictions were more precise than FFD ones; however, both methods were useful in optimizing the extraction process as they returned comparable optimized extraction parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extended Abstract Background: Soil erosion is one of the global problems that threatens water and soil resources. Protecting and recovering bare and uncovered soils, as well as diverting surface runoff from the soil, are an efficient method for reducing soil erosion in sensitive and erosion-prone areas. Among the activities to prevent soil erosion are to maintain the natural vegetation of the area and stabilize bare and uncovered soils with the help of temporary or permanent methods. The use of erosion control blankets is a soil bio-engineering method that can effectively reduce runoff and sediment and increase slope stability. Therefore, the current research aimed to temporarily stabilize soil using protective covering treatments, such as jute, straw, wood chips, Festuca grass cover, and nano zeolite super absorbent, to reduce the amount of runoff and sediment. Methods: The study area is the Darabkola Forest (the educational-research forest of Sari University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources), with an area of about 2612 hectares located in the southeast of Sari City between 52° 14′ E and 36° 28′ N. To measure the amount of runoff and sediment in the Darabkola Forest, plots with dimensions of 70 x 50 cm and a depth of 10 cm were created using galvanized sheets. Then, plots were placed on the ground with a slope of 3%. Erosion control blanket treatments made of jute filled with wood chips, straw, and nanozeolite superabsorbents were prepared and located in the plots, as well as jute cover, jute cover with Festuca grass, and Festuca grass. Rain simulation tests were conducted for each sample (30 minutes with an intensity of 50 mm.h-1) and the amount of runoff from the plots was measured at 5-minute intervals using a graduated cylinder placed at the bottom of the plots. Sediment concentration was measured by weighing the samples after settling the runoff and passing it through filter paper. Sediment concentration was calculated by dividing the amount of sediment by the volume of runoff. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA for seven treatments. Duncan's test was used to compare the means. Pearson's correlation analysis was also used to investigate the relationship between runoff and sediment concentration in runoff. Results: The results of statistical analysis showed that the highest amount of runoff (0.77 mm.h-1) belonged to the control treatment, and the lowest amount was recorded in the treatment of straw and the Festuca herbaceous species (0.24 and 0.27 mm.h-1, respectively). Overall, the straw treatment reduced the amount of runoff by 69% and the Festuca herbaceous species treatment reduced it by 64% compared to the control plot. The results of sediment concentration revealed 63% and 52% decreases in the amount of sediment in the samples belonging to the treatment of jute cover and jute cover together with Festuca species, respectively, compared to the control plot. The highest sediment concentration was measured in the control sample (7.13 g/ml). The presence of Festuca in the soil reduced the sediment by 2%, which shows that the presence of a herbaceous species such as Festuca does not considerably reduce the sediment concentration compared to the other treatments such as jute. Examining the coefficients obtained from Pearson's correlation analysis between runoff rate and sediment concentration in runoff for different treatments indicated that the stabilizer addition to the soil reduced sediment and reduced surface runoff in some treatments. A positive and significant correlation was found between runoff and sediment in wood chips, straw, Fesuka, and nanozeolite treatments, while a negative and significant correlation was recorded for Jute + Festuca and the Jute treatment. Conclusion: This research demonstrates that the use of erosion control blankets with combinations of different materials, such as straw and stubble, nanozeolite, and wood chips, along with the Festuca grass cover, can reduce runoff volume and reduce soil erosion and waste, especially in forest road trenches containing soils without vegetation. Moreover, grass cover (such as Festuca) increases water permeability in the soil and prevents soil loss. Therefore, using these erosion blankets can reduce soil erosion around forest roads.

Wood fuel from the agroforestry sector is one of the main strategies cited by the EU for reducing energetic dependance on foreign markets. Its sustainability, both economic and environmental, can be improved through the optimization of harvesting and chipping operations. This study was focused on the dynamic and energetic balance of the chipping phase carried out by a chipper operated by the power-take-off (PTO) of a medium-power tractor. Both machines were equipped with sensors for real-time monitoring of fuel consumption, PTO torque and speed, trunk diameter and working time during the comminution of 61 poplar trees grown in a medium rotation coppice system. The data analysis was carried out on the entire dataset (about 29,000 records) without considering their belonging to different trees. By means of proper data ordinations, it has been possible to define all the intervals in which the chipping stopped (e.g., between two trees) and to exclude them from the intervals of actual chipping. This has allowed forcomputation of operative and actual working time, as well as of the basic power required to operate the chipper and the power for actual chipping. Subsequently, the parameter values observed during actual chipping were related to the cutting diameters measured at the same instant. Subsequently, the dataset was divided according to seven diameter classes, and, for each class, the descriptive statistical indices of working time, work productivity, CO2 emissions, energy requirement and fuel consumption were calculated. Eventually, the correlation between the variations in trunk diameter and other parameters was verified both on the whole dataset and based on the class average values. The analysis made it possible to identify the conditions of greatest efficiency for the chipper. More generally, the method could help to increase the accuracy of measurements aimed at characterizing the performance of chippers from the point of view of dynamic energy requirements as well as in relation to different wood species.

The rapidly evolving communication field demands higher data capacity, faster transmission speeds, and improved anti-interference capabilities. However, the physical limitations of silicon-based photonics technology hinder the realization of photodetectors and other active devices. The discovery of two-dimensional (2D) materials, such as graphene, has opened promising opportunities for on-chip photodetection, showcasing distinctive physical and chemical properties and ultrathin nature. In this review, we first describe several representative 2D materials, including graphene, black phosphorus, and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs). These materials offer diverse band structures and properties, presenting a plethora of options for varied applications. Then we highlight the utilization of these 2D materials in the development of high-performance photodetection devices, including photodiodes, field-effect transistors, and photodetectors. Furthermore, we delve into the practical applications of photodetectors, including room-temperature imaging, visual sensors, spectrometers, ranging, and other optoelectronic integrated systems. These real-world applications vividly demonstrate the versatility and potential of 2D materials across diverse fields. Overall, the unique structures and properties of 2D materials offer new possibilities for applications across various domains. Future research should be devoted to further explore the properties and applications of 2D materials to advance their development in the field of science and technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The water content is an essential parameter for assessing the quality of solid biofuels. In terms of economic, technical and environmental aspects a continuous determination of the solid fuel water content is sought. This article investigates the use of microwave technology for the continuous measurement of fuel water content. For this purpose, a microwave sensor was evaluated with five different types of wood chips (forest residues, beech, pine, and ash). The results of the online measurements showed a strong correlation with the reference method r < 0.9 for most materials. This means that continuous water content determination of wood fuels using microwave technology is fundamentally possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Modern Food Science & Technology is the property of Editorial Office of Modern Food Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Photocatalytic degradation is a sustainable method for tackling various forms of environmental pollution. One challenge with this technology is the difficulty in recycling photocatalysts when they are in powdered form. To address this, wood, known for its porous structure and renewability, serves as an excellent substrate for photocatalysts. In this study, we developed a novel photocatalyst, W-NCQDs@Cu2O, by impregnating nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (NCQDs) and Cu2O composites onto carbonized wood via a straightforward hydrothermal synthesis method. This composite photocatalyst addresses the recycling challenges of powdered photocatalysts and features self-floating properties, which enhance its exposure to light and oxygen, thereby boosting photocatalytic efficiency. The effects of loading of NCQDs, solution pH, and cycling stability are carefully investigated. The optimal W-NCQDs@Cu2O demonstrated a remarkable degradation rate of 96.4% at pH 6 within 120 min. Even after four cycles, the degradation performance robustly maintained at 78.9%, underscoring its substantial potential in wastewater treatment applications. The successful deployment of this composite material marks a significant stride towards practical wastewater treatment solutions, improving environmental quality and advancing sustainable development goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental Science & Technology (10036504) is the property of Editorial Board of Environmental Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study on oriented strand board (OSB) wood doors with veneer as the door leaf aimed to investigate consumers' preference for visual–tactile elements of OSB. First, we utilized the questionnaire and interview methods to extract specific elements as experimental variables for this study. Then, through subjective evaluation experiments and eye-movement experiments, as well as correlation analyses of the experimental results, we explored the relationship between the slice size, gloss, and color of oriented strand boards and consumers' visual preferences and summarized the eye-movement indexes that can represent consumers' aesthetic evaluation of the visual elements of oriented strand boards. Unidirectional haptic experiments analyzed the relationships between the slice size, gloss, and roughness of the oriented strand boards and consumers' haptic preferences. The results showed that, visually, chip size and surface gloss had little effect on people's subjective aesthetic evaluations of oriented strand-board wood doors. At the same time, the quantitative mean pupil diameter could represent consumers' aesthetic evaluations of oriented strand boards. Regarding haptics, the size of the wood chips on the surface of the oriented strand-board specimens did not significantly correlate with participants' haptic preferences. All participants' tactile preferences for the unpainted specimens were positively correlated with the fineness of sanding. The visual and tactile effects presented on the surface of an object are essential factors that influence the perception of a material. Oriented strand board (OSB) has excellent advantages in providing a healthy and environmentally friendly living environment, so exploring the visual and tactile perception of OSB from the consumer's point of view plays a vital role in promoting the use of OSB. The visual–tactile experimental results and the conclusions drawn from the analysis in this study can enable OSB to provide more opinions and potential information from consumers for the design of OSB wooden doors under the premise of conforming to the actual production and meeting the quality standards so that the designed and produced OSB wooden doors can satisfy the users' preferences based on safety and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering that commonly occurring mold fungi have the ability to develop very quickly on the surface of wood chips and the ongoing studies on finding the ways to use degraded wood, the conducted research was aimed at determining the physical and mechanical properties of chipboards containing various amounts (0%, 30%, 50%, and 70%) of pine chips inoculated with Aspergillus and Penicillium fungi, varying in a degree of infestation. The inoculation did not cause significant changes in the chemical composition of chips; however, it caused a decrease in the pH of their surface after nine-week incubation. While using them, lowered pH caused a deterioration in the mechanical characteristics of the boards and increased their thickness swelling and water absorption. Moreover, no changes in density, formaldehyde content and decomposition by brown-rot fungi were found. Overall, it was concluded that the addition of partially infested chips did not significantly affect any properties of the board; however, in the case of complete overgrowth, the amount of degraded chips should be less than 30%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar is a soil amendment that has the potential to effectively improve soil salinization. However, there is a paucity of studies on sodium adsorption using biochar, and the adsorption mechanism remains unclear. To better understand the adsorption mechanism of Na+ on the surface of biochar, both pyrochar and hydrochar were produced at different temperatures. The capacity and influencing factors of Na+ adsorption in biochar were analyzed via batch adsorption experiments. Pore filling dominated the Na+ adsorption in the concentration of the NaCl solution when it was ≤100 mg/L, where wheat straw pyrochar (WB, 3.95–4.94 mg/g Na) and poplar wood chip pyrochar (PB, 0.62–0.70 mg/g Na) presented the release and adsorption of Na+, respectively. When the concentration of the NaCl solution was >100 mg/L, the adsorption capacity of WB (25.44–36.45 mg/g) was significantly higher than PB (4.46–6.23 mg/g). Both the adsorption and release of Na+ in hydrochar was insufficient. In a high concentration of NaCl solution, ion exchange became the key mechanism determining the adsorption of Na+ in pyrochar, in which K+ contributed to more than 94% of the Na+ adsorption. The findings proposed strategies for the structural design of biochar used for Na adsorption. These will promote the utilization of solid biowaste for sodium adsorption and the potential of soil salinization amendment for agriculture in arid lands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent experimental evidence has shown that wood–steel–wood dowel-type connections exhibit a semi-rigid behaviour even after 90 min of fire exposure. Because a semi-rigid behaviour influences the bending moment distribution among structural members, considering the moment–rotation relationships within frame analyses in which structural members are modelled as beam elements can enable a realistic fire response analysis that is significantly simpler than the three-dimensional finite element method. This study proposes an analytical methodology that accounts for the thermo-mechanical behaviour of timber and dowels, enabling the simulation of the non-linear moment–rotation relationships under fire conditions. The proposed analytical model divides dowels into a series of elements on an elastoplastic foundation and performs a direct stiffness method in a time-incremental procedure using an element stiffness matrix derived from beam-on-elastic-foundation theory. This study also presents the results of load-carrying tests on timber frames with dowel-type connections performed under ambient and fire conditions. The analytical results were consistent with the fire test results. Additionally, the analyses were also performed under three conditions in which the dowels were rigid, linear elastic, and elastoplastic bodies. These three results converged to the same value after 65 min of heating, which suggests that the ultimate states of beams with dowel-type connections exposed to fire can be modelled by assuming that dowels are rigid bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood chips contain numerous active compounds that can affect the wine’s characteristics. They are commonly used in red grape wines, whisky, cherry and brandy, but in fruit wines, production is not typically utilised. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of an oak barrel ageing with the effect of the addition of chips made from various types of wood (oak, maple, cherry, apple) and with various degrees of toasting to the apple wines on their antioxidant, oenological and sensory properties. The oenological parameters, the polyphenols content, antioxidant activity and content of volatile odour-active compounds were assessed. It was shown that ageing in the presence of wood chips had a less noticeable effect on the oenological and sensory parameters of the wine than barrel ageing. Moreover, wood chips used did not significantly affect the acidity, alcohol and extract content of apple wines. Wines aged in the presence of oak chips (particularly lightly toasted) exhibited the greatest increase in polyphenols, while the polyphenol content of wines aged in the presence of other chips was not dependent on their toasting degree. The ageing of fruit wines with wood chips influences the volatile profile and the olfactory sensations, which can improve their quality [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological pretreatment of wood chips by fungi is a well-known approach prior to mechanical- or chemical pulp production. For this biological approach, a limited number of white-rot fungi with an ability to colonize and selectively degrade lignin are used to pretreat wood chips allowing the remaining cellulose to be processed for further applications. Biopulping is an environmentally friendly technology that can reduce the energy consumption of traditional pulping processes. Fungal pretreatment also reduces the pitch content in the wood chips and improves the pulp quality in terms of brightness, strength, and bleachability. The bleached biopulps are easier to refine compared to pulps produced by conventional methodology. In the last decades, biopulping has been scaled up with pilot trials towards industrial level, with optimization of several intermediate steps and improvement of economic feasibility. Nevertheless, fundamental knowledge on the biochemical mechanisms involved in biopulping is still lacking. Overall, biopulping technology has advanced rapidly during recent decades and pilot mill trials have been implemented. The use of fungi as pretreatment for pulp production is in line with modern circular economy strategies and can be implemented in existing production plants. In this review, we discuss some recent advances in biopulping technology, which can improve mechanical-, chemical-, and organosolv pulping processes along with their mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The size of area of plantations of fast-growing tree species, established on agricultural land in the Czech Republic (CR), is on the rise. In order to gain saw timber, it is necessary to choose other species (example: Salix spp. and Populus spp., their resulting product is wood chips), one of which could be Paulownia spp. In 2015, an experimental plot with the species of Paulownia tomentosa and two hybrids of Paulownia Shan-Tong and Paulownia Hybrid 9501 were established in South Moravia. The plants were periodically pruned up to a height of 3 m. After six years, Paulownia Hybrid 9501 had mean height of 9.4 m and DBH of 12.8 cm, P. tomentosa 7.3 m and 10.3 cm, respectively, and P. Shan-Tong 5.2 m and 9 cm, respectively. These values are well below the average, in comparison with those declared by the sellers. The limited growth was presumably caused by less precipitation and a shorter growing season, in comparison with the climate characteristics of the humid subtropical zone in which Paulownia species originated. It appears that Paulownia Hybrid 9501 could grow in conditions similar to those in South Moravia, however, with a slower growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particleboard is a commonly used material in the construction of furniture. It is an engineered wood product made from wood particles, such as wood chips, sawmill shavings, or sawdust, combined with a resin binder and compressed into sheets. The advantages of using this material are its uniformity, stability, and affordable price. Some performance must be tested to ensure its quality and strength properties so that it can be used as a built-in material. This study evaluated deflection performance based on the different thicknesses and sizes. The objective of this study was to determine the deflection properties over time. The deflective capabilities of particleboard with 16, 18 and 25 mm thicknesses and sizes of 400 × 384, 560 × 350, 760 × 330, 800 × 380 and 910 × 390 mm were investigated in three weeks. Remarkably, the particleboard with a 25 mm thickness exhibited markedly diminished deflection two to three times lower than that of 18 mm and 16 mm thickness, thereby showcasing its superior strength when subjected to various loads. Conversely, utilizing longer spans resulted in noteworthy deflection increments, implying that extended spans tend to manifest increased deflection as time progresses. These observations indicate that a thicker and shorter particleboard is well-suited for use as a building material, given its lower deflection over time. In conclusion, this study elucidates the intricate relationship between particleboard characteristics and deflection behavior, providing valuable guidance for selecting suitable particleboards based on load requirements and structural considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A co-pyrolysis of woodchips and oil shale was conducted in a continuous reactor at 520 °C in a CO2 atmosphere. Experimental product yields were derived and an analysis of the liquid products was conducted, using gas chromatography, infrared spectroscopy, and physicochemical analysis. A maximum yield of liquids and gases was obtained as the share of biomass increased (43.9 and 35.1 wt%, respectively). Product characterization confirmed additive behavior in co-pyrolysis. The liquid products from copyrolysis blends exhibited fewer oxygenated compounds, derived from biomass, and fewer aromatic compounds, derived from oil shale. Co-pyrolysis liquids contained abundant aliphatic hydrocarbons (C6 to C11). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]