Justification of the Reduction Possibility of Sulfur Oxides and Fly Ash Emissions during Co-Combustion of Coal and Waste from Woodworking Enterprises

In this work, we experimentally investigated the effect of widespread biomass (woodworking waste—pine sawdust) in the composition of mixed fuel, formed also using the widespread steam coals metalignitous (D) and lean (T), on the concentration of sulfur, nitrogen and carbon oxides in flue gases. Investigations of composite fuels with a mass of at least 5 g were carried out in a reactor with continuous recording of the composition of the flue gases formed during the thermal decomposition of the investigated fuels. Thermal decomposition of fuels was carried out in the temperature range from 293 K to 873 K. It was found that an increase in the proportion of wood components in mixed fuels based on two different coals from 10% to 50% leads to a significant decrease in the concentration of sulfur oxides from 11% to 95.8% relative to the concentration of the formation of sulfur oxides in a homogeneous coal, respectively. It was found that an increase in the proportion of the wood component in the mixture with grade D coal up to 50% leads to a significant increase in the content of calcium sulfates (45.1%) and aluminum (43.2%) in the blended fuel. The increase in the content of these salts in the ash of mixed fuels based on T coal and wood is 35.1% and 38.6%, respectively. The obtained research results allowed us to conclude that woodworking wastes are an effective addition to the coals of various deposits, which would help to reduce anthropogenic-induced gas emissions when they are co-combusting in the furnaces of power boilers.

Cryo secondary ion mass spectrometry for wood component visualization: a mini review

Various phenomena in living physiological systems are conducted on the hydrated conditions, and in many cases, they do not work in a dry state. Imaging mass spectrometry is one of the direct detection methods scanning the sample surface with some focused and pulsed energy and analysing the sputtered components. However, under the high vacuum conditions required for usual imaging mass spectrometry, the sample surface is rapidly dried. It is difficult for the target cell to survive, and the original situation are lost soon. Here, the combination of a freeze-fixation and a cryo sample stage is a promising method to do mass spectrometry while maintaining the original situation. By rapidly freezing the cells, the momentary situation as a living cell is fixed. The situation in a living cell can be captured as still images by cryo imaging mass spectrometry. This mini-review introduces the outline of imaging mass spectrometry especially for low molecular weight components and recent results for frozen-hydrated samples by cryo secondary ion mass spectrometry.

Wavelength-dependent photodegradation of wood and its effects on fluorescence

Apart from some strongly fluorescent wood species, the general fluorescence of wood has long been ignored. Recent studies suggest that each species has a distinct fluorescence, originating from both basic components and characteristic extractives. However, wood colour and fluorescence rapidly change upon exposure to sunlight. In this study, 288 samples of Acer pseudoplatanus, Quercus robur, Picea abies and Juglans nigra were irradiated with different bands of ultraviolet (UV) and visible (VIS) light. Photosensitivity was examined in regards of colour, infrared absorbance (FTIR), and fluorescence imaging. UV light caused strong yellowing in all examined species, mostly correlating with lignin degradation, carbonyl formation and the appearance of a broad banded fluorescence emission. VIS light above 420 nm, however, caused different, partly contradicting effects in colour and fluorescence, and did not affect lignin. J. nigra proved to be most sensitive towards VIS-induced yellowing and bleaching. The main new finding of this study is that the native long wave fluorescence of wood was strongly decreased by VIS-irradiation above 510 nm wavelength in all samples. This effect was not species-specific, probably originating from a cross-species wood component. The results have potential impacts on non-destructive image-based evaluation methods and wood identification.

Nondestructive Testing Based Compressive Bearing Capacity Prediction Method for Damaged Wood Components of Ancient Timber Buildings

In this research, a wave-drag modulus nondestructive testing method was proposed to predict the compressive bearing capacity of damaged wood components. Using an ancient Chinese building as a case study, internal and external inspections were performed to obtain defect data and related tree species information. Using the same tree species, wave-drag modulus and scale tests were carried out to predict the residual bearing capacity when there was damage in the form of internal cavities or edge material reduction and to compare the damage and loss experimental data. The results show that the internal defect combination model established by two nondestructive testing methods (stress wave and impedance meter) based on the weight distribution can accurately determine the internal damage condition of wood components. There was a significant correlation between wave-drag modulus and compressive strength along the wood grains. The measured values of wood components with different defects were consistent with the theoretical values predicted by the wave-drag modulus, which can effectively improve the prediction of residual bearing capacity. In addition, it was determined that edge material reduction is more destructive to a wood component than the presence of an interior cavity. Thus, the wave-drag modulus can quickly locate vulnerable sections and provide a relevant basis for judging the material condition of wood components in ancient buildings.

Suppression of Ganoderma boninense Using Benzoic Acid: Impact on Cellular Ultrastructure and Anatomical Changes in Oil Palm Wood

Basal stem rot (BSR) caused by a wood degrading fungus, Ganoderma boninense, is the major constraint in palm oil production. It degrades the wood components and causes palms to collapse, leading to heavy losses. Inefficacy in controlling this disease could be caused by the lack of understanding in how the pathogen establishes itself on the host concerning wood decay stages. This study aimed to understand and determine the role of benzoic acid on the suppression of G. boninense and production of ligninolytic enzymes responsible for wood decay. Further, the alteration in wood component structure due to G. boninense infection and its prevention were studied. Benzoic acid treatment resulted in more than 80% of inhibition in G. boninense growth. SEM and HR-TEM analysis confirmed the antifungal activity of benzoic acid by disruption of mycelial morphology and cellular ultrastructure. Moreover, the membrane permeability assay recorded enhanced cell mortality in benzoic acid treated mycelium. The degradation of oil palm woodblock caused 58.86 % wood dry weight loss at day 120. In contrast, reduction in dry weight loss (58.82%) was recorded in woodblock treated with concentrations of benzoic acid of 5 mM and above. It is concluded that the use of benzoic acid could inhibit or delay pathogen establishment in oil palm wood, leading to the sustainable management of BSR disease. Further, glasshouse and field trials are required to prove the consistency in current findings which may contribute to reduced land expansion to create new disease-free land for oil palm planting.

Preparation and properties of nano-TiO2-Chinese herbal medicine composite wood

The sol-gel method was used to make nano-TiO2 and five Chinese herbal medicines of Sophora flavescens Alt., Hypericum perforatum L., Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cuss., Kochia scoparia (L.), and Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. to prepare five kinds of nano-TiO2-Chinese herbal medicine composite anti-degradative wood. Populus tomentosa Carr was chosen as the wood sample. Indoor decay resistance test results showed that the resistance to weight gain and decay of nano-TiO2-Chinese herbal medicine composite anti-degradative wood noticeably increased compared with either Chinese herbal medicine modified wood or nano-TiO2 modified wood, reaching a strong decay resistance level. The results of the anti-loss test showed that the magnitude of loss of wood samples treated with nano-TiO2 and Chinese herbal medicine was noticeably reduced compared with that with just Chinese herbal medicine. It was found by scanning electron microscopy that the nano-TiO2 particles and the Chinese herbal medicine enter the wood cell cavity, and the wood vessels and pits were the main permeation channels. Fourier transform infrared analysis results showed that nano-TiO2 could not only enter the wood interior, and associate with wood components through physical adsorption to form hydrogen bonds, but also through the carboxyl groups in cellulose and hemicellulose, or the phenolic hydroxyl group in lignin, forming a coordinated chemical bond to fix it in the wood component.

Nutrient stock in the forest component in a crop-livestock-forest integration system in Central Brazil

Integrated systems are sustainable alternatives, where agricultural, forestry, and/or livestock components occupy a given area through consortium, rotation, or succession. Considering this importance, this work had as objective to quantify the stock of above-ground biomass (wood, leaves, bark, and branches) of 6 years Eucalyptus urograndis in a crop-livestock-forest integration system (CLFS). It also involved calculation of the nutrient utilization in biomass conversion through the Biological Utilization Coefficient (BUC) and design of different export scenarios of these nutrients through the harvest in order to calculate the reduction in the demand for inputs. Nutrient stock was determined from the biomass sampled in the field and from the plant tissue analysis. It is verified that the highest concentrations of macronutrients are present in wood component, except for Ca. The concentration gradient of micronutrients was: Leaves> Fe> Mn> B> Cu> Zn; Branches and Bark: Fe> Mn > B> Zn> Cu; and wood: Mn > Fe > Zn > Cu > B. Considering BUC conversion rate decline, it presented the following order: S> P> Mg> Ca> N> K for macronutrients and B> Cu> Zn> Fe> Mn for micronutrients. The most appropriate export scenario was to harvest only timber component to minimize the nutritional export. The nutritional dynamics within the eucalyptus are altered according to the diametric structure of the trees. The nutritional elements are concentrated in different compartments according to the availability and need of the plants.

Restoration Methods Selection for Wood Components of Chinese Ancient Architectures Based on TODIM with Single-Valued Neutrosophic Sets

The selection of restoration methods for ancient architectures is of great significance for the protection of human cultural heritage. This paper proposes a novel restoration methods selection approach for wood components of Chinese ancient architectures, in which a multicriteria group decision-making (MCGDM) method with decision-making information is in the form of single-valued neutrosophic sets (SNNSs). Firstly, it establishes an index system by comprehensively considering subjective and objective criteria. In addition, the best-worst method (BWM) and the entropy weight method are combined to produce index weights. Furthermore, the TODIM method is utilized by the single-valued neutrosophic sets to prioritize restoration methods. Finally, a specific case of wood component restoration is conducted to demonstrate the practicability of the proposed model. The robustness and effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by sensitivity analysis and comparison analysis.

Improvement of the scheme analysis of the component composition of a larch wood

Разработана схема анализа компонентного состава лиственницы, предусматривающая определение таких компонентов, как полисахариды, целлюлоза, нецеллюлозные полисахариды, лигнин, экстрактивные вещества и зола. В отличие от известных схем анализа химического состава древесины, она содержит новую стадию, а именно определение общего содержания полисахаридов фотоколориметрическим методом. Обычно для этой цели используют определение холоцеллюлозы, однако известные методы не позволяют выделить все полисахариды, поскольку в процессе выделения часть из них неизбежно утрачивается. Зная общее содержание полисахаридов, можно определить содержание нецеллюлозных полисахаридов. Такой подход имеет явное преимущество, по сравнению с традиционно используемым определением отдельно гемицеллюлоз и отдельно водорастворимых полисахаридов, так как в этом случае происходит потеря части полисахаридов. Предложенная схема дает возможность достаточно полно охарактеризовать компонентный состав древесины лиственницы, не прибегая к использованию специального оборудования. Разработанный метод определения арабиногалактана обладает высокой селективностью к определяемому компоненту древесины в присутствии большого количества примесей, в связи с чем он может быть рекомендован для количественного определения арабиногалактана как в водных растворах, так и в древесине. The scheme of the analysis of component structure of a larch providing determination of such components as polysaccharides, cellulose, not cellulose polysaccharides, lignin, extractive substances and ashes is developed. Unlike the known schemes of the analysis of the chemical composition of wood, it contains a new stage, namely determination of the general content of polysaccharides by a photocolorimetric method. Usually, for this purpose use definition of a holocellulose, however the known methods do not allow to emit all polysaccharides as in the course of allocation part of them is inevitably lost. Knowing the general content of polysaccharides, it is possible to determine the content of not cellulose polysaccharides. Such approach has clear advantage in comparison with traditionally used determination separately of hemicelluloses and separately water-soluble polysaccharides since in this case there is a loss of a part of polysaccharides. The scheme offered in work, gives the chance rather fully to characterize component composition of wood of a larch, without resorting to use of the special equipment. The developed method of an arabinogalactan determination has high selectivity to the defined wood component in the presence of a large amount of impurity in this connection it can be recommended for quantitative definition of an arabinogalactan both in water solutions, and in wood.