Engin Derya Gezer

Some lignocellulosic wastes used as raw material in cultivation of the Pleurotus ostreatus culture mushroom

Abstract Yield values, diameters and numbers of fruit bodies obtained from the cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus mushrooms were determined and the effects of different substrate combinations on productivity were investigated. Wastes of some lignocellulosic materials such as leaves of hazelnut (LH), leaves of tilia (LT) and leaves of European aspen (LEA), wheat straw (WS), sawdust (S) waste paper (WP) were used for producing P. ostreatus. The best main material and the best substrate combination for mushroom productivity were WS and WS+WP (50%+50%), respectively. Mixtures which involve WP generally produced higher yield values when compared to the other combinations. Mixtures which contained bran (25%) increased the risk of contamination. The lowest yield and the smallest fruit body diameters values were obtained from LT (100%) and LEA+S (50%+50%). The greatest number of fruit body was obtained in the combination WS+LH+WP (30%+50%+20%). The largest diameter of fruit body was obtained from OT (100%), even though few fruit bodies were observed.

Leaching and decay resistance of alder and pine wood treated with copper based wood preservatives

The objective of this study was to determine the leaching and decay resistance of Alder (Alnus glutinosa subsp. barbata) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) wood samples treated with copper based preservatives. Samples were treated with CCA, ACQ, Tanalith E and Wolmanit with different concentrations. Scots pine samples were exposed the mini-block test against brown rot fungi (Poria placenta) and Coniophora puteana while alder wood samples were tested against brown rot fungi (Coniophora puteana) and white rot fungi (Coriolus versicolor). Regarding to leaching test, treated samples were impregnated with 300 ml of distilled water and after 6, 24, 48 and thereafter at 48-hour intervals, the leachate was removed and replaced with fresh distilled water according to AWPA E11. Samples of each leachate were collected and retained for copper analysis. Amount of copper released from treated wood during the leaching test was chemically analyzed with Atomic Absorption spectroscopy. Perchloric acid procedure for the digestion of wood was used according to AWPA A7-97. The amount of copper component (Qd), the cumulative quantities leached (Qc) and the average daily fluxes (FLUX) were calculated. Results shows that CCA treated samples release less copper compared to other copper based preservatives used in this study. Highest mass losses were obtained from the leached samples treated with 1% of ACQ-2200 against decay fungi.

The changes in important quality properties of continuous pressed laminates (CPL) with some changes in thickness and press parameters

Abstract In this study, the effects of some of the manufacturing variables on some properties of continuous pressed laminates were investigated. Overlay laminates with a combination of kraft paper and alpha cellulose base decorative paper were manufactured under factory conditions. Resistance to surface abrasion, scratch, cigarette burns, staining, and thermal conductivity of the laminates were determined as a function of manufacturing variables. It was found that the press temperature and press cycle influenced both scratch and abrasion resistances. No significant effects of laminate thickness and pressure levels used on the above properties were found. However, the thermal conductivity of the laminates with 0.70 mm thickness was significantly higher than that of 0.55 mm thick laminates.

Inspection of Wooden Poles in Electrical Power Distribution Networks in Artvin, Turkey

According to Trabzon Electricity Distribution Local Directorship’s statistical data, there are 208.000 utility poles in Trabzon, 180.000 utility poles in Rize, and 121.000 utility poles in Artvin. Every year, 17.000 new utility poles are placed in these three cities. The average lifetime of a treated-wood utility pole is typically 40 to 50 years. However, the average lifetime of a treated-wood utility pole in the Eastern Black Sea Region is only about 10–15 years. In this study, the suggestions for enhancing the service life of treated-wood utility poles in Artvin vicinity were listed by determining the deteriorations and degradations using both visual inspection and nondestructive test methods. The results showed that the most important factors affecting the service life of utility poles were the decay due to fungi, insects, inadequate impregnation, and the deep cracks and splits.