Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for treatment of cellulose-based material comprising a coupling step and a hydrophobization step. The coupling step comprises the provision of a coupling solution comprising titanium (IV) isopropoxide (TTIP) or a basic solution of zinc oxide and the immersion of the cellulose-based material into the coupling solution. The following hydrophobization step comprises the provision of a hydrophobization solution comprising a hydrophobic compound and the immersion of the cellulose-based material in the hydrophobization solution, yielding a hydrophobic cellulose-based material, followed by drying of the hydrophobic cellulose-based material. According to a second aspect of the invention a cellulose-based material is provided characterized by its omniphobic properties, a cellulose-TTIP hybrid layer and/or Zn O hybrid layer.
Abstract:
A method for sulphation and phosphorylation of a wooden body to impart anti-flame properties to the substrate wherein at least one phosphonic acid of the formula (I) is used PO(OH) 2 -R-PO(OH) 2 as a catalyst for sulphation and phosphorylating agent, and the relative wooden body.
Abstract:
A system for treating wood (30), comprising: - a treatment vessel (14) configured to receive at least one wood stack (4) for treatment, and - a stack holding system (2) for holding a wood stack (4), the stack holding system (2) comprising: - a frame (6), configured to support the wood stack (4); - a first element (8), connected to the frame (6) near an upper side of said frame (6), configured to exert a first, downward force on the wood stack (4); and - a second element (10), connected to the frame (6) near a lower side of said frame (6), configured to exert a second force on the wood stack (4) in a direction opposite said first force. The invention also comprises a method for treating wood, using a system for treating wood according to the invention.
Abstract:
The invention is directed to a process for the continuous acetylation of wood elements. The process particularly combines a batchwise impregnation step, with a continuous reaction step. In order to realize this, a collection step is built-in, so as to allow batches of impregnated wood elements to be fed into a reactor in a continuous manner. Very high acetylation contents can be obtained, at a level that had not been achievable before in a continuous and non-catalyzed acetylation process.
Abstract:
This invention relates to acetylation of wood. In particular, the invention provides methods of acetylation of solid wood in which at least some of the solid wood is processed in multiple acetylation cycles. The invention further provides wood acetylation methods that include sorting solid wood pieces based on density-indicating parameters.
Abstract:
A commercial scale microwave system that includes a heater having enhanced heat distribution and minimized void space. The enhanced heat distribution can be provided by a unique launcher and/or reflector configuration disposed in the interior of the microwave heater. The microwave system can be operated to prevent the wood from both overheating (which results in scorching) and under-heating (which results in inadequate drying and/or inadequate thermal- modification). The microwave heating system can provide enhanced microwave energy distribution for large quantities of wood, even large quantities of wood heated under vacuum and/or in the presence of one or more chemical reagents.
Abstract:
A commercial scale system and process for chemically modifying wood and then heating the chemically-modified wood. The system/process separates the chemical modification step from the heating step by utilizing two different vessels for the modification and heating steps. The system and process can, in certain situations, include a containment room for preventing escape of vapors from a chemical wood modification reactor, a wood heater, and/or a chemically-modified bundle of wood as the bundle is transported from the wood modification reactor to the wood heater.
Abstract:
A microwave heater capable of heating a bundle of wood and equipped with an optimized system for introducing microwave energy into the heater is provided. Also provided is an enhanced system for launching and dispersing within the heater. The system uses one or more TM ab microwave launchers to emit microwave energy in the interior of the microwave heater in a TM ab mode, where a is 0 and b is an integer between 1 and 5. The TM ab launchers can be configured to emit microwave energy through an open outlet that faces generally parallel to the nearest wall of the heater. In certain situations, it can be advantageous to use at least two TM ab microwave launchers having open outlets that face towards one another. In certain situations, it can be advantageous to use at least two TM ab microwave launchers located on generally opposite sides of the microwave heater. In certain situations, the system can also include one or more moving reflectors for dispersing microwave energy emitted from the TM ab microwave launchers.
Abstract:
A commercial scale system and process for chemically modifying wood and then heating the chemically-modified wood. The system/process separates the chemical modification step from the heating step by utilizing two different vessels for the modification and heating steps. The system and process can, in certain situations, include a containment room for preventing escape of vapors from a chemical wood modification reactor, a wood heater, and/or a chemically-modified bundle of wood as the bundle is transported from the wood modification reactor to the wood heater.
Abstract:
A method for modifying wood is disclosed. The method comprises the step of reacting wood with a composition comprising acetic anhydride to produce acetylated wood, characterised in that the composition contains at least one marker compound mixed with said acetic anhydride. The marker compound is a heterocyclic compound in which the heteroatom is N or O, or a compound containing carbon, hydrogen and a functional group selected from the group consisting of nitro groups, chloro-, fluoro-, bromo-, nitrile, ether, thio-ether, amide, urea, phosphine oxide and sulfonyl. The invention also includes a modified wood product comprising acetylated wood, wherein the modified wood product contains at least one marker compound present and identifiable in the wood at least 5mm below the surface of the wood product. Additionally, the invention includes a method of determining whether a wood product is a wood product which has been marked with a particular marker compound.