Physical Properties of Rice Husk-Pine Wood Particleboard

Rice husk is one types of sustainable and economical agricultural wastes that could produce particleboard as the substitute for solid wood. The problems that encourage this research are due to the increasing of deforestation and the increment demand for solid wood in various industries. Malaysia produces a significant amount of agricultural biomass waste every year. It is noteworthy to mention that agricultural wastes can be fully used in an environmentally friendly way. This study aims to evaluate the properties of particleboard made from rice husk at different fibre loading and mixture. Different formulated composition of rice husk and pine wood shaving was prepared for the production of particleboard by hot pressing at temperature 160 °C for 6 min using Urea-Formaldehyde (UF) resin with additional of ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) as a hardener. The results showed the density values and moisture content of particleboards ranging from 0.547 to 0.660 g/cm3 and 8.072 to 8.929 %, respectively. The thickness swelling and water absorption were increased as the increment of soaking time. Besides, the colour of the rice husk-pine particleboards has no significant difference and changes except for particleboard made from 100% rice husk. While the more proportion of pine wood shaving has the better compaction of particleboards, and the addition of grinded rice husk also make the particleboards have fewer voids. This study is expected to reduce deforestation activities and to maximize the usage of agricultural wastes.

DYNAMICS OF CHANGE OF REQUIREMENTS OF STANDARDS TO DURABILITY OF WOOD-SHAVING PLATES: REASONS AND CONSEQUENCE

Drevesno – chip plates are widely used in production of case furniture. The volume of their production constantly grows in Russia. If in 2013 it has been made 7270, then in 2017 – 8370, in 2018 – 9789, in 2019 – 9986 thousand m3 of plates. However, one of the main shortcomings of plates of the plates released by the industry is their low durability. It especially concerns one of the main strength performances of plates – ultimate strength at bend. So, in comparison with requirements of GOST 10632-77 durability of plates at bend of the most widespread thickness (13-20 mm) in accordance with GOST 10632-89 has decreased on 9 and 21, in accordance with GOST 10632-2007 on 21 and 29, and by current GOST 10632-2014 – by 38 and 43% depending on brand of plates. Decrease in durability at stretching perpendicular to plate face less noticeable. One of the main reasons of such decrease, use in technology of plates of low-toxic carboamidoformaldehyde (KFS) pitches the content of free formaldehyde in which generally is makes about 0,15%. It is known, than more free formaldehyde is in pitch of subjects bond quality of wood and wood-base materials, with use of this pitch, above. However such big decrease in durability of plates for furniture makers is big shortcoming. It is necessary to change approaches to designing of furniture from such plates. Manufacturers of plates, using low requirements of the present standard, sometimes manipulate due to decrease in density of plates that results in friability of plates, problem of fastening of plates in furniture designs. The purpose of our work was studying of dynamics of decrease in durability of plates according to requirements of standards, since 1977 till present, establishment of the reasons and possible consequences from such decrease.

SATURATION RESEARCH MAKSIMALNY BY WOOD-SHAVING PLATES OF PREMISES

The wood-shaving plates (DSTP) released by the domestic industry with use of carboamidoformaldehyde pitches (KFS) have very essential shortcoming connected with their toxicity because of considerable allocation from them gas, harmful to the person, - formaldehyde. In recent years formaldehyde is recognized as substance, cancerogenic for the person. It concerns different type of plates: from needle (DSTP) and large-size shaving (OSB), fiber boards (DVP), including medium-density DP-SP (or MDF). The Russian Ministry of Health has established very strict requirements on release of formaldehyde in air both in premises, and in free air the admissible level of which (DU and maximum-permissible concentration – maximum concentration limit) makes only 0,01 mg/m3 of air when testing materials by chamber method. The plate materials released now can exceed DU of 17 times stated above. Despite attempts of institute Vniidrev through appeals to relevant authorities of the Ministry of Health to increase such admissible level in our country, generally for plate materials, were not crowned with success yet and this level in real time remains in force. It is possible to use such plates in premises only at very small saturation room void volume plates (the saturation is defined as the relation of surface area of plates indoors to room void volume). In foreign practice of DU of formaldehyde in air much higher and makes 0,124 mg/m3 of air. Results of researches of the maximum saturation (the relation of surface area of plates to room volume) depending on class of emission of DSTP and DU formaldehyde at values 0,01 and 0,124 of mg/m3 of air in relation to premises are given in the real work.

Assessment of process parameters in a dehumidification process using biomass-based wood shaving as a packing material

In the current study, the performance of the counterflow dehumidification test rig using wood shaving packing has been analysed. Wood shaving packing with the density 500 kg/m3 was used along with the CaCl2 desiccant with varying concentration. Mass flow rate of air was varied and the dehumidification performance parameters like moisture removal rate, dehumidification efficiency, coefficient of performance, change in relative humidity, change in the pressure and mass transfer coefficient were evaluated. Output parameters were compared with the commercially available cellulose packing with the wettability of 632 m2/m3. Results showed that, even though the performance of wood shaving packing is slightly less than the Celdek packing, performance of wood shaving is promising at 40% desiccant solution concentration. Maximum relative humidity difference, coefficient of performance and dehumidification efficiency obtained with wood shaving pad material were found to be 19%, 1.88 and 69.5%, respectively.

JUSTIFICATION OF CHANGE OF REQUIREMENTS TO NUMBER OF INDICATORS IN SOME STANDARDS ON WOOD PROCESSING

For production of case furniture wood-shaving plates (DSTP) and medium-density fiber boards - plates of the PMV wood monostructural fibrous brand (plate MDF) are widely used. And, both faces, and edges of plates come to production of furniture the revetted thermosetting polymeric films, sliced veneer or other cladding materials, for example paper-based laminated plastic (BSP). One of the main defects of such plates is the insufficient durability of their outside or surface layers of face that is one of shortcomings of plates as leads to flaking of cladding material. And, when flaking the facing layer entrains part of surface layer of plate. Indicator of durability of skin of plates is the specific resistance to normal separation of layer at depth of 0,3 - 0,7 mm from plate surface which is defined in accordance with GOST 23234-2009 [1]. However, as have shown results of our researches, in a number of standards on wood processing it is necessary to make changes in part of test method of plates on the specific resistance to normal separation of layer of skin not at depth of 0,3 - 0,7 mm (as in accordance with GOST 23234-2009), and surface layer. In this regard it is necessary to make changes to state standard specifications 10632-2014 [2] and 32274-2013 [3] on required values of specific resistance to normal separation of surface layer, but not layer at depth of 0,3 - 0,7 mm from plate surface.

Demand Analysis for Solid Fuel and Its Substitutes as Domestic Energy in Imo State, Nigeria

Purpose: This study aims to model the demand analysis for solid fuel and its substitute for domestic cooking energy among households in Imo State. Methods: Data on socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, monthly expenditure on energy used for domestic cooking, unit prices, and quantity of different energy sources were collected using a multi-stage sampling technique from 262 households I Imo State. Data were analyzed using descriptive, quartile distribution and QUAIDS inferential statistics to achieve the objectives of the study. Results: The empirical analysis of the demand for household energy usage revealed that the quadratic expenditure term is statistically significant in firewood, sawdust, and wood-shaving expenditure share equations. It implies that their null hypothesis of expenditure linearity is strongly rejected. Furthermore, the prices and demographics of the household head significantly influence the budget shares of the different energy used. Expenditure elasticity of all the energy sources are elastic. Own price (Marshallian and Hicksian) of firewood, sawdust, and kerosene are price elastic while charcoal and wood-shaving are price inelastic. The Uncompensated Marshallian's cross elasticity of almost all energy sources are complementary. However, the result of the compensated- Hicksian's cross elasticity values indicated that almost all the energy uses are substitutable except for firewood – charcoal, firewood-wood shaving, firewood-kerosene, and sawdust-wood shaving that are complementary. Implications: The result indicates that the timber products and its substitutes demand domestic cooking follow both energy ladder and stacking principles as households can quickly switch to a better energy source at the same time exhibit their dynamism in the ability to combine both traditional and modern fuels to meet their domestic energy needs based on price and affordability. The study, therefore, recommends that younger females in the household should be targeted in demonstrating the demand for cleaner energy using educational facilities and reduction in unit prices of such energy in the area.

Effects of Using Hazelnut Husk, Wood Shaving and of the Mixture at Different Thicknesses on Broiler Performances, Some Organ Weights, Foot-Pad Dermatitis and Litter Traits

This study was carried out to determine the effects of the use of hazelnut husk (HH), wood shavings (WS) and the mixture of 50% hazelnut husk + 50% wood shavings (MIX) in two different thicknesses (4 and 8 cm) as a litter material in broiler production. The experiment was carried out as a factorial experimental design (3 litter type and 2 thickness) and stocking density was 10 chickens per m2. At 6 wk. of age, the effect of litter types and thicknesses on broiler live weights, feed efficiency, and livability, were not significant. Also, no differences were found in terms of gizzard, digestive tract, abdominal fat and edible internal organ weight percentages. While carcass yield varied between litter groups, there was no difference between litter thicknesses. The litter moisture levels at the end of the trial were not affected the litter type and litter thickness, while the foot pad dermatitis (FPD) rates were significantly affected. The highest FPD levels were determined in the HH litter and 4 cm thickness. As a result, the use of HH, WS and MIX of them with a thickness of 4 and 8 cm had no effect on other traits except for FPD levels. It has been observed that these litter materials may be used successfully in broiler production and use of 8 cm thickness litter has minor positive effects except that the cost of litter has doubled.

Mechanical characterization and reinforcement of the adobe material of the Chellah archaeological site

The evaluation of historical buildings has always posed significant challenges due to the difficulties associated with the characterization of complex geometries, the variability of the properties of building materials and the actual state of damage to these structures. This challenge is even more complex when it concerns historical adobe masonry buildings, because earthen masonry has a high variability and rapid deterioration over time if it is not properly maintained. In the context of the previous, it was important to provide information to support intervention projects in historic centres. This research involves the experimental analysis of the adobe material collected from the Chellah archaeological site (Rabat-Morocco), in order to study the mechanical behaviour of this material as well as that reinforced by wood shaving. A series of mechanical tests carried out, which include compressive and tensile strength on the adobe material and the mixture adobe/wood fibre in different proportions. The improvement of the mechanical properties of the reinforced adobe, led us to a SEM study, which was carried out on the surface of the test specimens to examine the morphology and observe the interfaces of the adobe/wood mixture, as well as the state of dispersion of the fibres in the adobe mixture.

Effect of Alum (Aluminum Sulfate) Addition to Poultry Litter on Layer Performance, Litter pH and Litter Composition

The current experiment was conducted to assess the effect of using different litter types with or without alum on performance and litter quality of the hen layers. A total number of 120 Inshas layer hens of 24 weeks of age were randomly distributed into 4 groups (3 replicates each 10 hens) of floor litter: T1 birds were raised on wood shaving litter, T2 birds were raised on wheat straw litter, T3 birds were raised wood shaving with 100 g of alum / kg of bedding, and T4 birds were raised on wheat straw litter with 100 g of alum / kg of bedding. Topping of fresh litter with acidifier amendment improved body weight, egg weight, egg number, egg mass, feed intake and feed conversion ratio of layers compared to chickens in the untreated litter group. In comparison with the control group, alum treatment reduced the pH level of the litter. Regarding the NH4+-N content, alum-treated litter showed a higher value than the untreated litter. On average, alum-treated litter had lower P content than the untreated litter. Alum treated group showed a significant increase in dry matter and total nitrogen content when compared with the untreated group. The study results showed significant variability (p < .05) in the moisture content and pH of the control and treated litter. This clearly shows the effectiveness of litter treatment products enhancing litter quality and therefore the bird’s environmental climate. Thus it can be decided that litter modification with alum treatment had a significant impact on litter quality and in turn enhanced the productive performance of layer chickens without any adverse effect.