A batch steam explosion pretreatment (SE) was applied to grey alder (alnus incana (L.) Moench) chips to obtain self binding fibrous lignocelluloses’ complex. SE was generated by water vapours without any chemical catalyst. The structural impact of SE on the chips investigated by such spects as: mass loss (depending on severity of SE, moisture and chips size); changes of microstructure; components output; changes of bulk density. The goal of the study was to get information about the pretreated lignocelluloses’ complex which further was used for a binder-less board production. There was investigated that mass loss of the chips mostly depends on pretreatment conditions and increases with increasing SE severity. The bulk density of the pretreated chips decreases at least by 1.5 times and it depends on the chips size and the severity of SE. The microstructure of pretreated lignocelluloses’ complex is greatly modified; however it includes the same content of lignin and cellulose as in untreated wood. While at least half of the origin hemicelluloses content is lost during SE.
Keywords: grey alder, steam explosion pretreatment, microstructure, component fractionation, bulk density
Authors
Tupciauskas R.
Wood Materials and Technology, Department of Wood Processing, Latvia University of Agriculture, Jelgava
Veveris A.
Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry. Riga, Latvia
Belkova L.
Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry. Riga, Latvia
Gravitis J.
Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry. Riga, Latvia
Tuherm H.
Department of Wood Processing, Latvia University of Agriculture, Jelgava
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