Method for the modification of wood
AssigneeTricoya Technologies Ltd
InventorsNeil Turnbull, Theodorus Gerardus Marinus Maria Kappen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a method for the continuous impregnation of wood elements, such as wood chips. The method comprises the subsequent steps of subjecting the wood elements to vacuum, to contact with acetylation fluid, and to impregnation pressure. Preferably, the process is conducted in a plant having conveyors, such as transportation screws, in suitable positions between the zones in which the subsequent process steps are conducted. The impregnation method is used in connection with the acetylation of the wood elements, and preferably is followed by a continuous acetylation process conducted in an acetylation reaction zone downstream of the zone where the impregnation is conducted.
Claims26
A process for the impregnation of wood elements with acetylation fluid, comprising the following steps:
- (a) providing wood elements to a vacuum chamber;
- (b) subjecting the wood elements to vacuum in said vacuum chamber so as to provide vacuum-treated wood elements;
- (c) transferring the vacuum-treated wood elements, under vacuum, to a contacting chamber downstream of the vacuum chamber;
- (d) contacting the wood elements, in said contacting chamber, with acetylation fluid, so as to provide a wood acetylation slurry comprising wood elements and acetylation fluid;
- (e) discharging the wood acetylation slurry from the contacting chamber;
- (f) subjecting the discharged wood acetylation slurry to pressure;
- (g) subjecting the slurry to liquid-from-solid separation so as to obtain impregnated wood elements.
A plant for the acetylation of wood elements, said plant comprising an impregnation section and, downstream of the impregnation section, an acetylation reaction section, wherein the impregnation section is a vacuum chamber comprising a wood elements conveying device provided with a vacuum connection, the plant further comprising a contacting chamber, a pressure zone, and a solid-liquid separation device, said conveying device having an outlet to the contacting chamber, said contacting chamber provided with an inlet connected to a supply line for acetylation fluid and an outlet to the pressure zone, said pressure zone having an outlet to the solid-liquid separation device, said solid-liquid separation device having a solid outlet to an inlet of the reaction section.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.