Wan Noor Aidawati Wan Nadhari

A Model of Drying Kinetics of Acacia mangium Wood at Different Temperatures

The objective of this study was to determine the isothermal drying kinetics of Acacia mangium wood blocks by employing a relative humidity-controlled drying chamber. A model was developed based on solution of Ficks second law and evaluated through the coefficient of determination (R 2 ), sum of square error (SSE), root mean square error (RMSE), and reduced chi-square (χ 2 ). This model was compared to semi-theoretical models which are commonly used to describe the drying behavior of biomass in previous studies. The porosity and shrinkage characteristics of dried specimens were also evaluated. Based on the findings in this work, it was determined that the proposed model resulted in an excellent fit with experimental data for all four drying temperature levels of 30, 35, 40, and 45 ∘ C to describe the isothermal drying kinetics of Acacia mangium . It appears that volumetric shrinkage of the samples decreased quadratically with decreasing moisture ratio. The activation energy of the drying process was determined to be 41.07 kJ/mol.

Evaluations of some properties of exterior particleboard made from oil palm biomass

This study investigated some physical and mechanical properties of experimental particleboard panels manufactured from different parts of oil palm including bark, leaves, fronds, and trunk consisting of mid-part and core-part using phenol formaldehyde adhesive. Two types of panels with target densities of 0.80 and 1.0 g/cm 3 were manufactured using pressure levels of 5 and 12 MPa, respectively. Both types of panels were pressed at a temperature of 180°C for 20 min. The findings indicated density and pressure level had an influence on the overall properties of the panels. Samples from the core-part had the highest modulus of rupture (MOR) values followed by those panels made from fronds and bark particles. Such samples satisfied MOR characteristics for particleboard type 13 listed in the Japanese Standard. Similarly, panels made from mid-part and leaves also showed satisfactory MOR values for particleboard type 8 based on the same standard. All panels met the IB strength requirement for type 8 except panels made from leaves made at a target density of 1.0 g/cm 3 pressed at 12 MPa. None of the samples satisfied the thickness swelling requirements. The scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy study indicated positive effect of the resin on interfacial bonding between the particles. Different parts of oil palm may have potential to manufacture exterior particleboard panels with acceptable strength properties. Dimensional properties of the samples need to be enhanced by using different chemicals such as wax or application of various treatments including heat treatment.

Evaluation of properties of starch-based adhesives and particleboard manufactured from them

The objective of this study was to evaluate some of the mechanical and physical properties of experimental particleboard panels manufactured from rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) bonded using oil palm starch, wheat starch, and urea formaldehyde (UF) at a density of 0.60 g/cm3. Bending characteristics, internal bond strength, thickness swelling, and water absorptions of the samples were determined based on Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS). Overall mechanical properties for natural binder oil palm starch resulted in higher values than those made from wheat starch. The highest internal-bonding strength (IB) value of 0.41 N/mm2 was determined for the samples made from oil palm starch. Dimensional stability in the form of thickness swelling of the samples made from oil palm starch had higher values, ranging from 4.24 to 22.84% than those manufactured from wheat starch. Natural adhesive showed comparable strength with panels manufactured with UF. Overall results meet the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) requirements except for water absorption and thickness swelling of the samples.

Green Binderless Board from Oil Palm Biomass

Wood is globally desirable natural material used for home, construction, furniture, building, tools, vehicles, indoor and outdoor application, and decorative uses. Thus, there is a need for alternative material by manufacturing composite panels. In the economic activity of wood-based industry, particleboards are widely used due to its performance and cost efficiency. Using material that demonstrates positive environmental qualities is also a main area of consideration. However, due to the environmental concern, research and engineering interest have been changed from using synthetic adhesive to a new biobased adhesive or self-bonding board that is free from synthetic adhesive called binderless board. The search for alternative, potential, and sustainable raw material has been distributed over a large area around the world. This chapter considers the area of binderless board manufacturing, treatment, and other processes using oil palm biomass as raw materials. The mechanical and physical properties are viewed and compared with other binderless boards made from other types of oil palm biomass. The results presented here are only based on the environmental aspects without coinciding any economic factors or costing.