Sawdust Composites Research Articles

Coconut Fibre and Sawdust as Green Building Materials: A Laboratory Assessment on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Particleboards

This paper evaluates, via a laboratory assessment, the physical properties (BS EN 323:1993, BS EN 324) and mechanical performance (BS EN 310:1993) of hybrid particleboards using agricultural wastes, namely coconut fibre and sawdust. The process begins with the preparation of the materials where they are sieved and retained with the 5-mm sieve and then oven-dried. The hybrid particleboard mixed with the addition of resin (urea formaldehyde) was sprayed and hot pressed. The hot press temperature was set at 180 °C, with the resin content of 8 wt.% and the design density of 650 kg/m3 used in producing the particleboard. The percentage/ratio of the composition of sawdust (SD) to coconut fibre (CF) varied ranging from 100SD:0CF to 70SD:30CF, 50SD:50CF, 30SD:70CF, and 0SD:100CF. Meanwhile, as for the thickness of the boards, it was categorised into three groups which are 16 mm, 20 mm, and 32 mm. The particleboards were conditioned to the room temperature for seven days before being tested for physical properties and mechanical performances. The results show that the most optimum composition of sawdust to coconut fibre is 0% sawdust to 100% coconut fibre (0SD:100CF) and the optimum thickness is 20 mm, where its density is 761.99 kg/m3, swelling thickness is 11.98%, and water absorption at 37.64%. With the modulus of elasticity of 1510 N/mm2, the modulus of rupture of 17.8 N/mm2, and the internal bonding of 1.08 N/mm2, they satisfied the universal standard of Particleboard Type P3 of BS EN 312:2010.

Study of the Use of Block Compos on the Growth of Teak (Tectona grandis) in Used Lands of Kapur Stone Mine

The limestone mining area is a karst area that has an important ecological function as a water conservation area. After the mining process, the ex-mining area becomes critical land that is poor in nutrients, decreases soil microbial diversity, increases soil pH and temperature. This study aimed to examine the use of conventional and block compost based on plant height parameters and stem diameter. Block compost was made using the bokashi method with the ingredient of teak leaf litter (Tectona grandis). The composition of leaf litter (30%), manure (40%), and sawdust (30%). Block compost is made by adding adhesive and it is made using a pressing device. Block compost application on plants is very effective compared without block compost. The average plant height with block compost is 163.2 cm, while without block compost is 27 cm. the average of stem growth diameter of plants with block compost of 1.61 cm, while without block compost was 0.71 cm. This shows that block compost is a solution in mining land reclamation.

Production processes and statistical analysis of ceramic liner-hole parameters for sustainability and improved thermal efficiency of clean biomass stoves

In engineering, ceramic liners are used as heat retention, insulation, and wear-resistant components for industrial and domestic applications. However, due to lack of production standards, particularly under small industrial operations, there is variation in liner-hole diameter and inter-hole spacing of liners used in clean biomass stoves. This study assessed the production processes and analysed ceramic liner-hole diameters and inter-hole spacings for standardisation. Standardising liner-hole parameters is a major process towards sustainability and improved efficiency. Methods employed were − material composition, particle size distribution analysis, study of production processes, and 51 liner-hole diameters and 66 inter-holes spacing were randomly sampled and analysed. The results indicated material composition of clay (70%), sand (23%), and sawdust (7%) of various particle sizes. A flow chart diagram of 7 production processes was created for standardisation. At 95% C.I, liner-hole diameter of Ø20.8 ± 2(0.66) mm and inter-hole spacing of 27.5 ± 2(1.06) mm were determined. Mean liner-hole diameter of Ø21.03 mm resulted in a relatively high thermal efficiency, ηT =37%. For practical applications, liner-hole diameter of Ø21 mm and inter-hole spacing of 30 mm are recommended. Standardising the production processes and the liner-hole parameters will contribute to sustainable production and thermal efficiency improvement.

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE FAILURE OF FLAME RETARDANT BASED COMPOSITE LAMINATES UNDER MECHANICAL LOADING

Composite laminates have distinct interface comprising reinforcements from both synthetic or natural sources and polymers which make them favourable in the world of composites due to the intrinsic benefits they possess. Composite laminates from natural sources have shown to be highly susceptible to flame and have been improved by the addition of flame retardants (FR) during processing. The effect of the FR on the mechanical behaviour of these composite laminates is quite unclear and has not been given the in-depth attention. In this paper, the effect of FR of two set of composite laminates on mechanical failure was assessed. The two set of composite laminates comprising oil palm fibre composite (OPFC) and wood sawdust composite (WSC) were processed with polyester resin and six (6) FR using hand-lay compression moulding. The FRs were derived from aluminium tri-hydroxide (ATH), ammonium polyphosphate (APP), gum Arabic powder (GAP) and carbon black (CB) at 12%, 15% and 18% loading ratios. Specimen cut from the composite laminates were tested for failure under tensile and flexural loading using the universal testing machine (UTM). The results obtained shows that the addition of 15%APP-GAP/CB in WSC and 12%APP-GAP in WSC exhibited an outstanding performance in improving tensile and flexural strength of the composite laminates by 154% (from 9.67MPa to 24.56MPa) and 103.4% (from 42.14MPa to 85.7MPa) respectively compared to those without FR while the FR in OPFC did not show any significant improvements. It can be concluded that FR with particulate reinforcement could improve the mechanical behaviour of composite laminates as a suitable reinforcement.
 Suoware, T. O. | Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Determination of ash forming characteristics and fouling/slagging behaviours during gasification of masson pine in a fixed-bed gasifier

In this paper, fly ash and bottom ash produced from the gasification of pine sawdust in a fixed bed gasifier were compared in details to investigate the ash forming characteristics and fouling/slagging behaviours. For this purpose, a detailed comparison of fly ash and bottom ash was carried out. It was found that compared with the ash composition of raw pine sawdust, gasification ashes showed higher contents of alkali metals (K, Na) and Cl. S. Both the bottom ash and fly ash were strongly crystalline, with calcite as the prevailing phase. The ash fusion temperatures for fly ash were higher than those for bottom ash, while the interval between the deformation temperature and softening temperature for bottom ash (88 °C) was larger than that for fly ash (73 °C), suggesting the higher fouling/slagging propensity of bottom ash. The Si/(Ca + Mg) ratio for the bottom ash (1.10) was lower than that for fly ash (1.29), further indicating the low melting of bottom ash. From a mineralogical standpoint, the major difference between fly ash and bottom ash was that the former possessed a higher content of potassium-rich salts that facilitated the adhesion of small particles to larger particles during biomass gasification process. • This study reported ash forming characteristics in biomass fixed-bed gasification. • A detailed comparison of fly ash and bottom ash in terms of ash slagging was given. • The composition and micro-morphology of bottom ash and fly ash were both analyzed. • The Si/(Ca + Mg) ratio of bottom ash (1.10) was lower than that of fly ash (1.29). • The ash fusion temperatures for the fly ash were higher than those for bottom ash.

Development and performance evaluation of a portable household ceramic water filter with activated carbon and magnetic treatment unit

This study reports the development and performance evaluation of a portable household ceramic water filter with activated carbon and magnetic treatment unit. Three levels of percentage composition of clay sawdust 60–40, 50–50 and 40–60% by volume were used. Potable water is rarely available in most rural areas of Nigeria, and drinking contaminated water could cause waterborne and water-related diseases. The ceramic filter was constructed using kaolinite-clay and sawdust, heated inside a kiln at 750–800 °C to burnout the sawdust, create micropores in the ceramic and produced hard ceramic filter cup. The activated carbon was produced from coconut shell and burnt at 750–800 °C. The ceramic, activated carbon and hose surrounded by neodymium magnet were put in each separate 12-l bucket, and the 3 buckets were placed over each other. Water was poured into the filter, and water discharge from the filter was determined. Water samples were analysed for performance evaluation of the filter. The mean water discharge of the filter with 60–40, 50–50 and 40–60% clay-sawdust were 0.365, 0.428 and 0.463 l/h, respectively. The turbidity of raw water, filtered through ceramic, ceramic plus activated carbon and ceramic plus activated carbon plus magnetic treatment were 11.59, 3.90, 3.80 and 3.80 NTU, respectively. Corresponding total coliform counts were 119, 7, 7 and 7, but WHO limit is 10 cfu/100 mL. The filter weighed 2 kg, removed E. coli bacteria from the water and is recommended for water purification.

Pengujian Beberapa Varietas Jamur Tiram Pada Kombinasi Mediaserbuk Ampas Tebu Dan Serbuk Gergajian Dengan Penambahan Molase Dan Limbah Ampas Tahu.

Oyster mushroom is one of the most popular consumed mushrooms and also gives benefit for the body because it contains high nutrition and low fat. The goal of this research was to know and analyse the increase growth of some varieties of oyster mushroom on the bagasse media by adding molasses and tofu dregs. The research method was completely factorial randomized design (RAL Factorial) with two factors. The first factor was the media composition of sawdust and bagasse powder and The second factor was oyster musroom. The data analysis was tested by Anova and continued with duncan test if the results of variance were significantly different to very real. The results showed that the best treatment for mycelium growth on M1 media (100% bagasse + 1% molasses + 6% tofu dregs) with the best combination M2V3 (75% bagasse + 25% sawdust + 1% molasses + tofu dregs 6% on brown oyster mushroom). The largest stem diameter for V1 (white oyster mushroom) was 9.24 cm at the first harvest, and 9.01 cm the second harvest. The best length of the stalk in V3 variety (brown oyster mushroom) was 4.94 cm at the first harvest and 5.11 cm the second harvest. The best treatment on oyster mushroom production showed that variety V1 (white oyster mushroom) showed high production at the first harvest 130.25 grams and the second harvest 132.83 grams.

Biodegradable composites of recycled thermoplastic starch and sawdust: the effect of cellulose nanofibers, nanoclay and temperature

Studies were performed on the effects of small amounts of cellulose nanofibers and nanoclay particles on mechanical, physical and morphological properties of biodegradable composites of recycled thermoplastic starch biopolymer and regular mixed industrial sawdust of Iranian wood species including rush, walnut and hornbeam. To this aim, nanoparticles at 0, 3, and 5 wt% were added to the prepared biodegradable composites. Mechanical, thermal, water absorption and thickness swelling tests were performed according to their corresponding standards. In addition, to investigate the effects of working temperature on derived characteristics of the resulting composites, the selected mechanical tests were performed at various temperatures ranging from 23 to 80 °C. For validation of the results obtained from the physical tests, scanning electron microscopy was also utilized to examine the morphologies of the nanocomposites. The results showed that adding nanoparticles improved tensile modulus by 50%, tensile strength by 110%, flexural modulus by 115%, and flexural strength by 18%. Adding 5 wt% nanocellulose fibers showed better results than 3 wt% addition, while in the case of nanoclay, the trend was reverse. No significant change was observed for impact strength. Glass transition temperature was increased from 90 to 123 °C depending on the amount of nanoparticles. Water absorption and thickness swelling were reduced by around 20%. It was also observed that at elevated temperatures nanoparticles led to greater stability of the composite structure. From the results of this study it can be concluded that cellulose nanofibers and nanoclay particles can be successfully used for improving the mechanical and physical characteristics and performance of the biodegradable WPCs made of thermoplastic starch and industrial sawdust. Furthermore, since the effect of adding each of these nanoparticles on mechanical and physical performance of WPCs is different, the results of this study can be used to decide on selection of the type and amount of nanoparticles for fabrication of a product for a desired application.

Bioconversion of Sawdust and Paper Treaded with Edible Fungus (Pleurotus pulmonarius)

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Pleurotus pulmonarius on proximate composition and solid-state fermentation of sawdust and waste paper, and to quantify the soluble sugar produced in the biodegraded samples. Studies were carried out on the biodegradation of sawdust and paper using P. pulmonarius in cultures incubated for 90 days. The results of proximate analysis showed decrease in moisture content crude fiber and hemicellulose, while ash and cellulose were increased. Sawdust has higher soluble sugar content at 30-90 days of fermentation. The crude fibre decreased significantly from 45.5% to 32.4%, 48.2% to 32.9%, 55.5% to 32.8%, 53.4 to 32.1%, 44.5% to 27.5% for sawdust (SD), paper-waste (PW), and three proportional ratio mixtures (PW1:SD3, PW3:SD1, PW1:SD1) substrates respectively. The nutrient contents, pH values, (%) fiber fractions showed significant differences of (P≤0.05) in the five substrates as the fermentation. Lignin contents of treated paper waste and sawdust were degraded by P. pulmonarius and a decrease was observed. There were also consistent significant decreases (P< 0.05) in the values obtained for NDF, ADF, ADL. Percentage NDF 75.4% to 57.32%, 68.1% to 57.05%, 67.21% to 56.8%, 75.49% to 58.36%, 74.3% to 59.13% for SD, PW, PW1:SD3, PW3:SD1, and PW1:SD1 substrates, respectively. Significant differences were observed in the hemicellulose and cellulose contents. The results obtained from the bioconversion process of selected wastes reveals the potential of extracellular enzymes produced by P. pulmonarius as a biotechnological tool for the transformation of waste in biological product.

Co-production of xylooligosaccharides and fermentable sugars from poplar through acetic acid pretreatment followed by poly (ethylene glycol) ether assisted alkali treatment

A novel combined pretreatment process of poplar sawdust was established in this study based on the sequential acetic acid and alkali treatment with poly (ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEGDE). Effects of each treatment step on chemical composition, cellulose accessibility, and enzymatic digestibility of poplar sawdust was investigated. Acetic acid pretreatment remarkably increased cellulose accessibility while also producing a relatively high quantity of xylooligosaccharides (XOS) (37.6% of raw xylan). However, enzymatic digestibility remained low (28.3%) despite hemicellulose disruption. Post alkali treatment was next applied, leading to improvement on cellulose accessibility and enzymatic hydrolysis. Enzymatic hydrolysis was improved more significantly by successive alkali treatment with PEGDE. Its potential mechanisms attributable to enzymatic hydrolysis improvement were explored by revealing the changes to lignin properties. This work successfully demonstrated that recalcitrant waste woody biomass can be biorefined into both high-value XOS as well as relatively high yield of fermentable sugars.

Analisis Thermal Nilai Kalor Briket Ampas Batang Tebu dan Serbuk Gergaji

Availability of fossil fuels are increasingly rare, result in rising fuel prices. Hence, alternative fuel needs to be examined. In this study a mixed composition of bagasse charcoal and sawdust used. The two material then mixed with starch adhesives to produce briquettes with different compositions. This study aims to determine the thermal characteristics of briquettes with a variety of different compositions. This study uses a briquette composition variations sugarcane bagasse and sawdust 100%: 0%, 75%, 25%, 50%: 50%, 25%: 75%, and 0%: 100%. This type of research is the experimental method. Testing the thermal characteristics of charcoal briquettes bagasse and sawdust using a bomb calorimeter and boil a liter of water to determine the calorific value and the rate of combustion. The results showed that the briquettes with a variation of 100% : 0% has the highest calorific value of 4117 cal/gr and the lowest firing rate of 0,155 gr/min. Sawdust briquettes 100% has the lowest calorific value of 3657 cal/gr and the highest firing rate of 0,268 cal/g. There are differences in calorific value and the rate of combustion of charcoal briquettes bagasse and sawdust with a variety of different compositions. So it can be said that the longer the briquettes burning speed, the higher the value calorific

Engineering Characteristics and Potential Increased Utilisation of Sawdust Composites in Construction—A Review

Many timber producing countries generate more than 2 million m3 of sawdust annually. In developing countries, sawdust is often disposed of by open dumping, open burning, or dumping in landfills. This poses huge environmental challenges related to air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and destruction of plant and aquatic life. Findings from this review article reveal that sawdust can be used to make sawdust construction composites with good modulus of elasticity, water absorption and strength characteristics that satisfy international specifications. These composites include particleboards, sawdust concrete blocks or bricks and sawdust concrete. The article concludes that partially replacing 5% to 17% of sand with sawdust, or replacing cement with sawdust ash in proportions of 5% to 15% in concrete mixes can produce structural concrete with compressive strengths greater than 20 MPa. Partially replacing 10% to 30% of sand used in the manufacture blocks and bricks with sawdust can also produce sawdust bricks and blocks with compressive strengths greater than 3 MPa. Sawdust composites are also attractive for their low thermal conductivity, high sound absorption and good sound insulation characteristics. These findings indicate that increased utilisation of sawdust composites in construction will mitigate against potential sawdust environmental pollution, conserve energy and reduce disposal costs.

Artificial neural network evaluation of cement-bonded particle board produced from red iron wood (Lophira alata) sawdust and palm kernel shell residues

As a way of promoting environmental sustainability, it becomes paramount to salvage the quantity of agricultural wastes being destroyed or disposed into the environment. A novel strategy to reduce these wastes is by reusing them. In the present study, the physical and mechanical properties of particleboards produced from red iron wood (Lophira alata) sawdust and palm kernel shell (PKS) was evaluated by artificial neural network (ANN). The production of this particle boards involved the synergistic combination of effective parameters such as percentage composition of cement, sawdust and palm kernel shell varied between 25–40, 20–50 and 20–50 respectively. The boards were tested for physical properties such as water absorption (WA), thickness swelling (TS), density and mechanical properties such as modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE). The networks was trained and tested by Multilayer Normal Feed Forward Perceptron (MNFFP), with a quick propagation learning algorithm. The performance of the ANN network shows it has a high potential for predicting the properties of cement bonded particle board.

Effect of pressing temperature on the mechanical properties of waste styrofoam filled sawdust composite

This study has investigated the effect of pressing temperature on mechanical properties of waste styrofoam composite filled with sawdust. The waste styrofoam as the matrix was mixed with sawdust as filler and maleic anhydride (6%wt) as a compatibilizer. The weight fraction ratio between matrix and filler 70:30 (wt) and wood fiber size of 100 mesh were conducted. The pressing temperatures were investigated using a hot press with temperatures varied viz. 120, 130, 150, and 170 °C. Surface modification was applied to sawdust to diminish its polarity so that it could be compatible with the non-polar waste styrofoam matrix. Composites were evaluated using Instron and impact tester machine to investigate the tensile strength and impact strength of the material, respectively. The result indicated that tensile strength has decreased with the increase of pressing temperature where the largest tensile strength is at 130 °C of 33 MPa. The same trend has occurred on impact strength, where the value has reached of 300 J/cm2 on pressing temperature of 130 °C. From scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis it is also confirmed that during impact test, the resistance of the composite which has been pressed at the temperature of 130 °C have given better morphology than the composite at 170 °C.

Diamond wire sawing in ornamental basalt quarries: technical, economic and environmental considerations

The market interest in ornamental rocks commercially referred to as “stones” has grown significantly in recent years, particularly regarding basalt. This has resulted in the widespread use of diamond wire equipped with sintered diamond beads for precision sawing in basalt quarries, especially those located in the industrialized countries; it also has the advantage of preventing rock damages. Diamond wire has been widely used in up-line cutting and other sawing works in both marble and granite quarries for decades; therefore, performance data about the use of this tool on these two different types of rocks are widely documented in academic literature. However, for basalt sawing, information pertaining to the use of diamond wire is unavailable due to various reasons, but mostly because of to its relatively recent introduction in the basalt quarries and also to the historical low market demand for processed basalt in the past. This study offers a possible solution to this lack of information and provides a technical, economic and environmental assessment of diamond wire used in quarrying basalt for ornamental purposes. After an overview on the state of the art of diamond wire and on the final use of processed basalt, the study describes the experimental plan and the results. These show a tool yield much higher than those measured when diamond wire is used on other silicate dimension stones (e.g. granites). Moreover, the composition of basalt sawdust (sludge) has been analysed in the laboratory and has indicated the absence of polluting materials related to tool wear; therefore, basalt sludge, which is made of water and micronized basalt, can be used as a secondary raw material for the environmental restoration of the area or for any other purpose. Further research on other lithotypes is also proposed.

Electromagnetic shielding of polypyrrole–sawdust composites: polypyrrole globules and nanotubes

Economic and efficient materials for the shielding of electromagnetic interference are required by many applications. Electrically conducting composite materials based on wood sawdust modified by polypyrrole (PPy) with different morphology, globular and nanotubular, were prepared through in-situ polymerization of pyrrole with the use of iron (III) chloride as an oxidant. The effect of PPy morphology and content in composite with sawdust on the DC conductivity and shielding effectiveness (SE) were investigated. Composites of sawdust with globular PPy demonstrated higher DC conductivity as compared to those with PPy nanotubes as long as PPy content was less or equal to 18 vol.%. Above this concentration the opposite trend was observed. The SE of composites was evaluated theoretically in the radio-frequency range, and measured by waveguide method in the frequency range 5.85–8.2 GHz. The SE increased with increase in DC conductivity, and good agreement between the theoretically calculated SE and experimental results was achieved. The SE of the composites extended over 20 dB level above 18 vol.% PPy at the thickness of the order of 10 μm. Polypyrrole nanotubes perfomed better than globular PPy at high conducting polymer content. The composites are good candidates for the application as shielding materials in the microwave band.

Влияние фракционного состава опилок на прочностные свойства опилкобетона

Влияние фракционного состава опилок на прочностные свойства опилкобетона

Fraction Composition of Sawdust Obtained in Timber Cutting

Fraction Composition of Sawdust Obtained in Timber Cutting

Cadmium-109 Radioisotope Adsorption onto Polypyrrole Coated Sawdust of Dryobalanops aromatic: Kinetics and Adsorption Isotherms Modelling

A radiotracer study was conducted to investigate the removal characteristics of cadmium (109Cd) from aqueous solution by polypyrrole/ sawdust composite. Several factors such as solution pH, sorbent dosage, initial concentration, contact time, temperature and interfering metal ions were found to have influence on the adsorption process. The kinetics of adsorption was relatively fast, reaching equilibrium within 3 hours. A lowering of the solution pH reduced the removal efficiency from 99.3 to ~ 46.7% and an ambient temperature of 25°C was found to be optimum for maximum adsorption. The presence of sodium and potassium ions inhibited 109Cd removal from its aqueous solution. The experimental data for 109Cd adsorption showed a very good agreement with the Langmuir isotherm and a pseudo-first order kinetic model. The surface condition of the adsorbent before and after cadmium loading was investigated using BET, FESEM and FTIR. Considering the low cost of the precursor’s materials and the toxicity of 109Cd radioactive metal, polypyrrole synthesized on the sawdust of Dryobalanops aromatic could be used as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of 109Cd radioisotope from radionuclide-containing effluents.

Removal of Cu2+ ions from aqueous solution by amino-functionalized magnetic sawdust composites

In this study, amino-functionalized magnetic γ-Fe2O3/sawdust composites (MSC-NH2) were investigated as biological absorption materials for removing Cu2+ ions from aqueous solution. These composites were fabricated by precipitated γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles on sawdust substrate and then functionalized with 1,6-hexanediamine. Characterization of MSC-NH2 was performed by means of SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR, BET, MPMS and XPS analysis to discuss the uptake mechanism. As a result, the amino groups are grafted upon the sawdust surfaces. The MSC-NH2 could be effectively used to remove Cu2+ from aqueous solution and be separated conveniently from the solution with the help of an external magnet. Batch experiments show that the adsorption equilibrium is achieved in 150 min, and the adsorption capacity is 7.55 mg/g at pH 6 and room temperature. The isotherm analysis indicates that the sorption data could be represented by Langmuir isotherm models. The kinetics is evaluated utilizing the Lagergren pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich and intra-particle diffusion models. Thermodynamic parameters reveal the spontaneous, endothermic and chemical nature of adsorption.