Research activation energy in thermal modification of wood

¹ Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture, Scientific Research Institute for Binders and Materials, 31 Povitroflotskyi Ave, Kyiv, 03037, Ukraine
² National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, 15 Heroiv Oborony Str., Kyiv, 03041, Ukraine

^* Corresponding author: bondolya3@gmail.com

Abstract

The analysis of the process of thermal modification of wood, which was modified by a controlled process of pyrolysis of wood heating (> 180 ° C) in the absence of oxygen, which causes some chemical changes in the chemical structures of cell wall components (lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose), durability. It is proved that in the process of thermal modification the decomposition of hemicelluloses and the amorphous part of cellulose occurs, and therefore the amount of substances that are the environment for the development of fungi in wood significantly decreases. In addition, lignin and the formed pseudolignin undergo a process of polymerization and redistribution of cell volume and give cell walls greater density, hardness, increase hydrophobicity (water repellency), thereby reducing their ability to absorb moisture and edema. Polymerized lignin fills the inner cavity of the cell, forming a closed porous structure with a low ability to bind water. It was found that the most effective parameter for reducing such substances is the temperature and exposure time. The results of thermogravimetric researches are given, the dependence of weight loss on temperature of researches on the basis of which activation energy is calculated is defined. The results of determining the activation energy show that for hardwood species this value exceeds more than 1.5 times compared to softwood.