A model for pressurised steam/O2-blown fluidised-bed gasification of biomass with catalytic reforming of hydrocarbons and tars was developed using Aspen Plus simulation software. Seven main blocks were used to model the fluidised-bed gasifier and two for the catalytic reformer. Modelling blocks were complemented with FORTRAN subroutines to simulate the observed non-equilibrium behaviour of the ...

This study examined the impact of logs and stumps on the understory composition of 28-yearold aspen-dominated boreal forests. Suitable logs covered more than five times the area of stumps in both harvest and wildfire stands. Logs and stumps were colonized by a significantly different assemblage of vascular plants than the forest floor. Initial colonization patterns on dead wood in both wildfire...

A new method is presented for quantitative evaluation of hybrid aspen genotype xylem morphology and immunolabeling micro-distribution. This method can be used as an aid in assessing differences in genotypes from classic tree breeding studies, as well as genetically engineered plants. The method is based on image analysis, multivariate statistical evaluation of light, and immunofluorescence micr...

As part of the process outlined in Washington's Statewide Strategy to Recover Salmon: Extinction is Not an Option the Washington Departments of Fish and Wildlife, Ecology, and Transportation were charged to develop Aquatic Habitat Guidelines employing an integrated approach to marine, freshwater, and riparian habitat protection and restoration. Guidelines will be issued, as funding allows, in a...

Although wood densification by compression improves wood mechanical strength, dimensional stability is often a problem due to compression recovery. Alternatively, oil-heat treatment (OHT) improves wood dimensional stability and enhances resistance to biological attack. This study examined combined wood densification and OHT. Large wood veneer 700 × 700 mm specimens prepared with aspen (Populus ...

Hot water extraction (HWE) prior to pulping of wood is a promising method in constructing a platform for traditional pulping or for biorefinery processing. In this study, HWE of aspen wood at a maximum reaction temperature (Treaction) between 140 and 180 oC was investigated to obtain an optimal extraction condition for wood-derived products. The effect of extraction temperature and reaction tim...

Brown rot basidiomycetes initiate wood decay by producing extracellular reactive oxygen species that depolymerize the structural polysaccharides of lignocellulose. Secreted fungal hydroquinones are considered one contributor because they have been shown to reduce Fe(3+), thus generating perhydroxyl radicals and Fe(2+), which subsequently react further to produce biodegradative hydroxyl radicals...

The Swedish hardwood sawmills are today experiencing problems of finding profitable markets for products containing for instance knots and red or brown heartwood. By using hardwood outdoors, it would be possible to expand the market of hardwood with new products that may set other requirements on the wood than the present use. In Sweden today, hardwood is normally used in furniture, joinery, fl...

the current research was planned to investigate the effect of maleic anhydride (man) and glycidyl methacrylate (gma) treatments on morphological and physical properties of the hornbeam wood-styrene composite. test samples were divided according to astm d4446-05 to control and treated with man, st, man/st and man /st/gma. treatment was performed by vacuum- pressure method using a experimental cy...