A novel process for converting wood chips into improved composite boards, chemicals and fuels

"We have developed a new pretreatment (patent pending) with red pine for medium density fiberboard (MDF) production, which compared to controls was more resistant to water infiltration in 24 hour swelling and water adsorption tests. Structural integrity after water exposure is an important property of MDF and other wood-based composites. Enhanced water resistance was obtained concurrent with carbohydrate removal, which can be fermented into additional fuel and chemical products. The objective of this study is to determine how much carbohydrate can be removed prior to MDF formation and the effect of treatment on MDF strength and water resistance. Process constraints (temperature, time of treatment and chemical loading) using oxalic acid and its derivatives need to be determined to maximize sugar recovery and retain enhanced MDF properties. Phase I studies will be extended to hardwoods, small diameter materials and mixed biofiber sources to explore the possible economic and performance enhancements of this new process. Similar results with these new starting materials will enhance the health of forests, create a new resource for fermentation to bio-based fuels and chemicals, and still produce a new and improved MDF product."