Progress 07/01/10 to 06/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Kamke/Milota/Smith (Subproject 1): Target audience is mainly manufacturers of wood-based products, particularly composite materials. In addition, other scientists who have an interest in hydro-thermal modification of wood are part of the target audience. Gupta (Subproject 2): Engineers, architects, house designers, wood scientists and technologists. Knowles/Leavengood/Hansen (Subproject 3): Primary—State of Oregon policy makers and forest industry executives; secondary—forest products academics. Leavengood/Muszynski (Subproject 4): The target audience for this research includes manufacturers and users of maple veneer and plywood. More specifically, this would include the veneer producers, hardwood plywood manufacturers, and firms that use the plywood such as cabinetmakers, furniture manufacturers, producers of store fixtures, and architectural panel (e.g., ceiling and wall panel) producers. Morrell/Kamke (Subproject 5): Composite manufacturers and others interested in developing advanced engineering materials from low density plantation hardwoods that have resistance to biological degradation. Smith/Sessions (Subproject 6): This project was conducted to inform the emerging industry on the characteristics of woody biomass fuels prepared from forest slash. Particular audiences with interest in the results include both public and private timberland owners, loggers and woody biomass processors, industrial and utility boiler operators, entrepreneurs interested in developing products from forest biomass, economic development professionals interested in using forest biomass as a tool to stimulate rural economies, and scientists researching processes for producing chemicals and fuels from woody biomass. There are two target audiences that will benefit from the new knowledge created by this project. The first is the international standards community that is working to normalize testing procedures and grade specifications for solid biomass fuels. This work employs and evaluates proposed methods, so provides valuable experience and feedback to the method developers. The second target audience is the industrial supply chain for solid biomass fuels. We are working with landowners, recovery specialists, equipment designers, and both institutional and industrial users of solid biomass fuels to help them gain a better understanding of the processing challenges and true value of these materials. Kellogg/Hailemariam (Subproject 7): Groups served by this project include forest land managers, forest measurement specialists, logging contractors, biomass utilization firms, and forest harvesting research organizations. Murphy (Subproject 8): Woodlot and forest owners, forest industry personnel and students, bioenergy harvesting operators, international bioenergy research community. Sessions/Wimer (Subproject 9): Natural resource managers, logging operations managers, and soil scientists. Changes/Problems: Subproject 1. The project was not successful in collecting gas samples from the laboratory THM device. The quality of the samples was not adequate for quantitative analysis. Funds were not available to employ other research laboratories to assist with the analysis. Consequently, the research team focused on chemical and physical changes to the THM products. Through other funding, another attempt will be made to analyze gas samples. Unfortunately, the USDA WUR funding program has been discontinued indefinitely. Subproject 4. One of the stated objectives (above) was to explore the impact of veneer drying process (screen vs. press) on veneer checking. However, this variable was eliminated partly due to lack of availability of sufficient quantities of material. The student and PIs learned that press drying is only used as-needed (to flatten wavy veneer) in the industry and as a result, industry partners did not feel it was as critical a variable to include in the study as the other variables. Subproject 5. The problems associated with heat sensitivity of the extracts and the tendency for the volatile components of the cinnamon leaf oil to contaminate other test samples resulted in the need to repeat a number of experiments. This markedly delayed completion of the tests. Subproject 6. Project participation increased from our original plan of one industrial partner supplying access to six sites, to many industrial partners supplying 69 samples of material. Part of the reason that our study scope has expanded is that we have been able to acquire undergraduate research support funds to partially cover wages for our student workers. Subproject 8. During the time this project was undertaken a number of websites similar to that envisioned in our 4th objective became available on the internet (www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk, http://www.eecabusiness.govt.nz/renewable-energy/wood-energy-knowledge-centre, http://www.nacdnet.org/policy/woody-biomass-desk-guide-and-toolkit. We therefore abandoned the 4th objective and focused effort on the first three objectives. Subproject 9. Following remote sensing and field site analysis in late 2010, the site identified on the College Forest did not have ideal conditions for the test and the initial felling contractor, Mike Bruer, (Bruer’s Contract Cutting) had developed other commitments. Wimer and Sessions met with Lee Miller (Miller Timber Services) during Winter 2011 to discuss options to use a harvester, rather than a feller buncher, on steep slopes to prepare logs for a skyline operation as well as to demonstrate forwarder operations on steep slopes. Subsequent contact with Starker Forest indicated that Miller Timber and Starker Forests were willing to sponsor a test project on Starker Forest at no cost to the College. Loren Kellogg and Paul Adams joined the project and Ben Flint, as part of his MS thesis was available to do the layout, time study and analysis to compare the steep slope harvester skyline concept with steep slope forwarder and conventional skyline and forwarder operations. Thinning operations were carried out during summer of 2011. Rene Zamora, PhD student, completed the post-harvest soil impacts analysis under the guidance of Paul Adams and John Sessions. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Subproject 1. Two graduate students received training in thermal treatment of wood and the scientific method during the current reporting period. In addition, they learned techniques for mechanical testing, FTIR analysis, surface energy assessment, and composite manufacture. Furthermore, two undergraduate students gained laboratory work experience and goal-directed project management. This project helped establish research collaborations with the University of Primorska in Slovenia and the University of British Columbia. In the latter case, a joint project was initiated for THM processing of bamboo. Subproject 2. Two graduate students were trained as wood scientists/civil engineers and were able to find jobs before graduating due to their trainings in wood science and engineering. Subproject 3. It increased placement of interns and graduates from Oregon State University. Subproject 4. In addition to the graduate student that worked on the project, several undergraduate students received hands-on training in production of hardwood plywood and use of digital image correlation. Subproject 5. One graduate student, Adam Scouse, received a Master's of Science Degree while working on the project. Subproject 6. Three undergraduate students have learned about the opportunities for creating renewable energy from forest biomass by working on the project. Subproject 7. This project created a unique opportunity for a Forest Engineering graduate student, Benjamin Flint, and undergraduate student, Tom Lord, to apply much of their knowledge learned in the classroom to the actual field layout, data collection and reporting results to the forest industry. They also had the opportunity to work closely with logging contractors and forest land managers with this project. In addition, through this project Benjamin Flint was able to work closely with leading biometric experts at OSU, professors, practitioners, and graduate students. Subproject 8. Three Oregon State University graduate students participated in the project (Dong-Wook Kim, Fernando Becerra, and Francisca Belart. Subproject 9. This study provided training opportunities for one PhD student and development of training materials for class use. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Subproject 1. Results have been disseminated through presentations at technical conferences in the U.S. and abroad. Results have been published in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings. Results have been discussed at the semi-annual meetings of the NSF IUCRC for Wood-Based Composites. The research team has hosted numerous tours of the THM facilities at Oregon State University. Subproject 2. Results of this study were disseminated through peer-reviewed publications. Subproject 3. Results of this study were disseminated through peer-reviewed publications. Subproject 4. The results of this project have been disseminated numerous times at conferences in both oral presentations and posters, via the Oregon Wood Innovation Center website and newsletter, directly to interested parties via email, and to the hardwood plywood industry via the WHPP. Subproject 5. A publication describing the results is in process. Subproject 6. Work has been disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, monographs and poster presentations at various meetings and conferences. Subproject 7. The results from this study have been disseminated to the appropriate communities of forest resource managers, forest engineers, and harvesting contractors through presentations and publications with the National Council on Forest Engineering organization, and the Western Region Council on Forest Engineering that is held in conjunction with the annual Associated Oregon Logging Contractor Association. In addition, the Master’s thesis by Benjamin Flint will be completed and presented to the OSU Forestry community in fall 2013. Subproject 8. The results have been disseminated through the publication of two master's theses, two journal papers, a national conference paper, a regional conference poster, and a verbal presentation at an international conference. Presentations on approaches to air-drying of biomass and modeling of seasonal impacts of air-drying were given to three Oregon forest industry companies, and to graduate and undergraduate students in Oregon and Georgia. Subproject 9. The results of this study have been presented at three conferences and a manuscript is in review at a major regional journal. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Subproject 1. Thermal treatment of wood products, including thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) processing, is done to improve resistance to water or improved mechanical properties without the addition of chemicals. Because of the high temperature used in processing, volatile organic compounds are produced and the chemistry of the wood is altered. The project has characterized the chemical changes and associated adhesive bonding characteristics of the wood. THM wood may be bonded with common adhesives. A rapid, commercial-scale THM manufacturing process has been designed. THM processing has been demonstrated to work for Douglas-fir, western hemlock, Norway spruce, hybrid poplar, and beech. New technology was developed for in situ surface modification based on the research results. The project was not successful in characterizing the volatile organic compounds emitted during THM processing. Subproject 2. Practical methods for modeling 3-D light- frame wood buildings were developed using commercial structural analysis software, and verified. Critical load paths and system effects were explored under extreme wind and gravity loads. The effects of different geometry on the propagation of load paths were also explored. A commercially available structural analysis software package was used for modeling houses. Based on the validation studies, the simplified linear modeling methods were capable of predicting uplift and lateral load paths in a light-frame, wood residential structure with complex, realistic plan geometry. The conclusions are: the addition of a re-entrant corner caused load concentrations at the re-entrant corner; the addition of wall openings caused load concentrations on either side of the openings; design wind loads caused uplift load concentrations at the hold-downs; the effects of increasing the size of the re-entrant corner in an L-shaped house were dependent on the location and relative stiffness of the in-plane walls. Subproject 3. The project identified key organizations in Oregon’s wood products innovation system, as well as government incentives available to wood products manufacturers. Data from manufacturers shows that they are largely unaware of available incentives and that culture within the industry is a significant hurdle to innovation. It is recommended that information about incentives is better disseminated to manufacturers. Also, increased placement of interns and graduates from OSU may help alter industry culture to better embrace innovation. Subproject 4. This project resulted in development of a new and novel method using digital image correlation to automatically detect and quantify checks in veneer as they form. A journal publication is being prepared describing this method and the PI's plan to conduct follow-up research that capitalizes on this new capability. Research results demonstrated that veneer checks developed in all but one of the 96 combinations of veneer type, adhesive, lathe check orientation, and core material. The one combination for which none of the panels developed checks was: 1/36" peeled veneer, with PVA adhesive, veneer oriented loose-side out, on particleboard core. Further, findings suggest there is a significant 4-way interaction between all of the factors. In short, the findings suggest that there is no single 'optimal' combination of factors to lead to minimal checking in-service. Rather, the results confirm prior research in that veneer checking is a complex phenomenon for which there is no simple, straightforward solution such as choice of adhesive or core type in isolation. Rather, best practices must be presented via a matrix listing specific combinations of core material, adhesive, veneer type, and lathe check orientation; this matrix will be provided on the project web page and shared with the industry via additional presentations and publications. Subproject 5. Hybrid poplar treated with combinations of cinnamon leaf oil (CLO) and juniper foliage extract prior to VTC treatment were assessed for flexural properties and resistance to biological attack. Only the highest level of cinnamon leaf oil was capable to limiting mold attack. CLO contamination of other specimens complicated decay tests, producing inconsistent results. Formosan termites were inhibited in specimens receiving the highest essential oil levels. Subsequent GC-MS analyses of extracts from VTC treated specimens revealed that major essential oil components were destroyed by the VTC process. Many organic molecules are unstable at high temperatures and both oils tested were sensitive to the process. While higher oil concentrations provided some protection to the VTC treated wood, the levels needed to survive heating would be far above the economic threshold. While it is technically possible to use essential oils to protect VTC treated wood, the levels would not be commercially feasible. Subproject 6. We worked with industrial collaborators and student researchers to analyze the characteristics of forest-derived woody biomass processed in the field for energy markets. The findings were published in the Forest Products Journal, and presented at four industry conferences. Our work is also helping to provide some order in the market place. Both generators and users of forest biomass fuels have gained a better understanding of which processing techniques work best for them, and better insights into the ability of their handling systems to deal with variations in products quality. Subproject 7. All the objectives set in the grant narratives are met. As a result of this project, one master’s thesis and two potential peer-reviewed papers will be published. Two oral presentations were delivered. In addition to providing foundational information on steep slope biomass harvesting operations, the study enables land managers to make better decisions on the location, type and extent of biomass operations, and motivate them to accelerate the introduction of new management and harvesting techniques on timberlands in western Oregon. Subproject 8. Prediction, measurement, and economic evaluation tools were developed for woody biomass supply chains. Three climate based air-drying models were developed for Sitka spruce, Douglas fir and hybrid poplar based on data gathered in Ireland and Oregon. Six handtools for in-field moisture measurement were evaluated for three biomass types and six species in Oregon. Two tools were developed for comparing the economics of alternative biomass supply chains. The tools will allow small business owners and communities to determine “how long will it take my biomass to dry,” “what is the economically optimum drying time,” and “has my biomass reached the optimum moisture threshold yet”? Subproject 9. The major concerns about operating ground based equipment on steep slopes have to do with operator safety and environmental impacts. This study design used trails parallel to the slope and return trails which avoided equipment turning on steep slopes. This study documented that, for the conditions in this study, soil displacement and soil compaction impacts would likely meet federal and state guidelines. The environmental impacts of this study, coupled with the economic advantages documented in a companion study by Flint and Kellogg, illustrate the potential for increasing wood utilization from early thinnings on steep slopes, now considered economically problematic on private lands, and the potential for increasing the cost-efficiency of forest restoration treatments on federal lands. Future work should concentrate on repeating this study on other forest types. Monitoring to document longer term soil impacts is planned.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Burnard, M., L. Muszynski, S. Leavengood and L. Ganio. 2013. A Rapid Method for Assessing Check Development in Veneer Overlays (draft complete and being edited by authors for submission to Holzforschung, summer of 2013).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Flint, B. and L.D. Kellogg, 2013. First Entry Commercial Thinning: A comparison of Traditional and Contemporary Harvesting Methods on Steep Slopes in the Coast Range of Oregon. In: Proceedings of the Council on Forest Engineering Annual Meeting, Missoula, MT.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Humar, M, F.A. Kamke and A. Kutnar. 2013. Reducing set recovery of densified wood with heat treatment. p. 91-92 In: Book of Abstracts: COST Action PF0904 Evaluation, Processing and Prediction of THM Treated Wood Behaviour by Experimental and Numerical Methods. C-M Popescu and M-C Popescu, eds. "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of Romanian Academy.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Kutnar, A. and F.A. Kamke. 2013. Transverse compression behavior of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) in saturated steam environment. Eur. J. Wood and Wood Prod. 71(3):371-379.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Kim, D.-W. 2012. Modeling air drying of Douglas-fir and hybrid poplar biomass in Oregon. M.S. Thesis. Oregon State University, Corvallis. 56 pp.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Kutnar, A, A. Ugovsek, F.A. Kamke and M. `ernek. 2013. Bonding performance of densified VTC beech bonded with liquefied wood. p. 111-112 In: Book of Abstracts: COST Action PF0904 Evaluation, Processing and Prediction of THM Treated Wood Behaviour by Experimental and Numerical Methods.Popescu. C-M, Popescu and M-C eds. "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of Romanian Academy.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Lesar, B., M. Kumar, F. Kamke and A. Kutnar. 2013. Influence of the thermo-hydro-mechanical treatments of wood on the performance against wood degrading fungi. Wood Sci. Tech.. Published online DOI 10.1007/s00226-013-0553-8.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Liu, H., F.A. Kamke and K. Guo. 2013. Integrated drying and thermo-hydro-mechanical modification of western hemlock veneer. Eur. J. Wood and Wood Prod. 71:173-181.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Malone, B. 2013. Light frame versus timber frame: A study in quantifying the differences. M.S. Thesis. Oregon State University, Corvallis. 211 pp.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Malone, B.P., R. Gupta, T.H. Miller and M.E. Puettmann, M.E. 2013. Environmental impact assessment of light-frame and timber frame buildings. J. of Green Building.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Malone, B.P., T.H. Miller and R. Gupta. 2013. Structural load path analysis of light-frame and traditional timber frame buildings. J. of Performance of Constructed Facilities (ASCE). (In Review).
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Murphy, G.E., T. Kent and P.K. Kofman. 2013. Modeling air-drying of Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis B.Bong, Carr) biomass in off-forest storage yards in Ireland. Forest Products Journal 62(6): 443-449.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Orozco, N., E. Hansen, C. Knowles and S. Leavengood. 2012. Oregons Forest Sector Innovation System: An Investigation Towards Advanced Performance. Wood Science and Engineering. Oregon State University, Corvallis. Forest Business Solutions 10(1):1-2.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Orozco, N., E. Hansen, C. Knowles, and S. Leavengood. 2013. Oregons Forest Sector Innovation System: An Investigation Towards Advanced Performance. Forestry Chronicle 89(2):225-234.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Pfretzschner, K. 2012. Practical Modeling for Load Paths in a Realistic, Light-Frame Wood House. M.S. Thesis. Oregon State University, Corvallis. 191 pp.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Pfretzschner, K., R. Gupta and T.H. Miller. 2013. Practical Modeling for Load Paths in a Realistic, Light-Frame Wood House. J. of Performance of Constructed Facilities (ASCE). Posted online on 2/27/2013.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Scouse, Adam. 2012. Essential Oil Treatment of VTC Wood. M.S. Thesis. Oregon State University, Corvallis. 66 pp.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2010
Citation:
Smith, D. 2010. Characteristics of fuel chips made from forest biomass. In: Proceedings, Pacific West Biomass Conference, January, Seattle, WA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Smith, D. 2011. Meeting quality expectations for forest biomass fuels. In: Proceedings, NCASI West Coast Regional Meeting, September, Vancouver, WA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Smith, D. 2011. Update on biomass research. In: Proceedings, Future Energy Conference, April, Portland, OR.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2010
Citation:
Smith, D. and D. Way. 2010. Woody Biomass: Converting logging slash to boiler fuel. Series of case study monographs published by College of Forestry, Oregon State University, Corvallis.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Standfest, G., A. Kutnar, B. Plank, A. Petutschnigg, F.A. Kamke and M. Dunky. 2012. Microstructure of viscoelastic thermal compressed (VTC) wood using computed microtomography. Wood Science and Technology. DOI 10.1007/s00226-012-0496-5.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Becerra, F.A. 2012. Evaluation of six tools for estimating woody biomass moisture content. M.S. Thesis. Oregon State University, Corvallis. 185 pp.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Behr, G, H. Militz, F.A. Kamke and A. Kutnar. 2013. Fatigue behaviour of VTC and untreated beech wood. p. 115-116 In: Book of Abstracts: COST Action PF0904 Evaluation, Processing and Prediction of THM Treated Wood Behaviour by Experimental and Numerical Methods. C-M Popescu and M-C Popescu, eds. "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of Romanian Academy.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Kutnar, A., R. Widmann and F.A. Kamke. 2012. Density, mechanical properties, and morphology of densified wood in relation to compression temperature and steam environments. p. 154-161 In: Proc. 6th European Conference on Wood Modification, Sept. 16-18, Ljubljana, Slovenia,. D. Jones, H. Militz, M. Petric, F. Pohleven, M. Humar and M. Pavlic, eds. Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Wood Science and Technology.
- Type:
Books
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Leavengood, S. and L. Bull. 2013. Innovation in the Forest Sector. The Global Forest Sector: Changes, Practices, and Prospects. E. Hansen, R. Panwar and R. Vlosky, eds. Taylor and Francis.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Burnard, M. 2013. Key factors influencing checking in maple veneered decorative hardwood plywood. M.S. Oregon State University, Corvallis. 212 pp.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Zamora, R., P. Adams and J. Sessions. 2013. Ground-based thinning on steep slopes in Oregon: Soil Compaction Effects. Western J. of Applied Forestry.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Ugovaek A., F.A. Kamke, M. Sernek and A. Kutnar. 2013. Bending performance of 3-layer beech (Fagus sylvativa L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) VTC composites bonded with phenol-formaldehyde adhesive and liquefied wood. Wood Science and Technology. Published online DOI 10.1007/s00107-013-0704-5.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Ugovaek A., F.A. Kamke, M. Sernek, M. Pavlic and A. Kutnar. 2013. The wettability and bonding performance of densified VTC beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.), bonded with phenol-formaldehyde adhesive and liquefied wood. Eur. J. Wood and Wood Prod. Published online 10.1007/s00107-013-0669-4.
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Progress 07/01/11 to 06/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: 1) Results disseminated as presentations and posters at NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Center meeting. 2) Analytical model completed using SAP2000 Version 14. Framing members represented using built-in frame elements with isotropic material properties. Wall/roof sheathing modeled using thick shell element with orthotropic material properties. All joints modeled as perfectly rigid or pinned, eliminating need for complicated semi-rigid connections & non-linear link elements. Hold-down devices modeled using linear springs with stiffness properties equal to manufacturer specifications. Used 4-step procedure & 2- & 3-dimensional behavior to verify model. 3) MS thesis completed June 2012; industry-focused research brief & refereed journal article under development; book chapter submitted. 4) Graduate student completed project coursework; developed expertise to produce composite panels for testing; developed system to condition panels to induce checking; developed novel method using digital image correlation to detect/quantify checks in veneer as they form. Preliminary project results presented orally & as poster at conference. Results presented 3 times at Western Hardwood Plywood Producers meetings. Research progress delayed due to inability to obtain materials for producing test panels. Work was expedited to ensure research completed summer of 2012. 5) Four posters & 1 presentation given at Forest Products Society International Convention. 6) Collected/analyzed key quality characteristics on 69 forest biomass samples. Industrial partner supplied samples kept costs down and enabled a larger data set. Findings presented at 4 industry conferences; manuscript submitted to peer-review journal for publication. 7) Field studies completed to determine best economic operating limits on steep slopes for young-stand commercial thinning & low-value biomass utilization harvesting systems. Data analysis ongoing. Poster presented at 2011 SAF National Convention and at 2012 Oregon Logging Conference. Sites revisited summer 2012 to observe post-harvest wet season impacts. 8) Results disseminated through development of climate-based air-drying models for 3 species; preparation of a paper on in-forest tools for woody biomass moisture measurement; preparation of two master's theses; presentations at 3 meetings; collaboration with Irish & Australian researchers. 9) Students completed study comparing post harvesting soil impacts associated with steep slope harvester felling paired with skyline & forwarder operations. The experiment used a harvester to fell thinnings on slopes to 70%. Soil penetrometer & water infiltration tests carried out in-trail & out-of-trail following log removal operations. PARTICIPANTS: Subproject 1. Frederick Kamke and Mike Milota, Professors; David Smith, Instructor; Shawn Freitas and Hongling Lui, Ph.D. Graduate Students; and Mathias Belda and Darrell Love, undergraduates, Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State Univ. Subproject 2. Rakesh Gupta, Professor, Wood Science and Engineering; Thomas H. Miller, Associate Professor and Kenny G. Martin, School of Civil and Construction Engineering; and Kathryn Pfretzschner, M.S. Graduate Student, Wood Science and Engineering and Civil and Construction Engineering, Oregon State Univ. Subproject 3. Christopher Knowles, Assistant Professor and Eric Hansen, Professor; and Nadine Orozco, M.S. Graduate Student, Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State Univ. Subproject 4. Scott Leavengood and Lech Muszyński, Associate Professors; and Michael Burnard, M.S. Graduate Student, Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State Univ.; Partner organizations include the Hardwood Plywood & Veneer Association and all of the Oregon-based firms in the Western Hardwood Plywood Producers. Subproject 5. Frederick Kamke, Jeffrey J. Morrell, Professors; and Adam Scouse, Graduate Research Assistant, Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State Univ. Subproject 6. David Smith, Lecturer, Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State Univ.; John Sessions, Professor, Forest Engineering, Resources and Management, Oregon State Univ.; Arijit Sinha, Ph.D. Graduate Student; and Danny Way, Jeff Traver and Giovanni Rosales, undergraduates, Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State Univ.; industrial partners include biomass processors, T2, Lane Forest Products, Wood Recovery, Integrated Biomass Resources, MC Ranch, and Trails End Recovery. The biomass users we are working with are Seneca Sawmill, Roseburg Forest Products, Bear Mountain, Traeger Wood Stoves and Sologen. Subproject 7. Loren Kellogg, Professor and Temesgen Hailemariam, Associate Professor, Forest Engineering, Resources and Management, Oregon State Univ.; partner organizations include Starker Forests and Miller Timber Services; graduate student training occurred with harvest unit layout, operations safety, and field data collection methodologies. Subproject 8. Glen Murphy, Professor; and Dong-Wook Kim and Fernando Becerra, M.S. Graduate Students, Forest Engineering, Resources and Management, Oregon State Univ.; equipment providers (OSU Student Logging Crew, Ron Hailicka Equipment Inc., BLM Medford, forest and woodlot owners (Green Wood Resources, Inc., College of Forestry Forests, R&S Bradford, and researchers (T. Kent, Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland). Subproject 9. John Sessions and Paul Adams, Professors; Jeffrey Wimer, Instructor and Michael Wing, Assistant Professor; and Renee Zamora, Ph.D. Graduate Student, Forest Engineering, Resources and Management, Oregon State Univ. and partner organization Miller Timber, Philomath, OR. TARGET AUDIENCES: Subproject 1. Target audience is mainly manufacturers of wood-based products, particularly composite materials. In addition, other scientists who have an interest in hydro-thermal modification of wood are part of the target audience. Subproject 2. Practicing engineers, wood scientists and technologists, house designers and architects. Subproject 3. Oregon forest products manufacturers and Oregon policymakers. Subproject 4. The target audience for this research includes manufacturers and users of maple veneer and plywood. More specifically, this would include the veneer producers, hardwood plywood manufacturers, and firms that use the plywood such as cabinet and furniture manufacturers. Subproject 5. The Collins people have provided materials and will definitely benefit as will Reach In Klamath Falls−the juniper processing people. The project should provide a method for prolonging the useful life of non-durable material used in the VTC process. Subproject 6. There are two target audiences that will benefit from the new knowledge created by this project. The first is the international standards community that is working to normalize testing procedures and grade specifications for solid biomass fuels. This work employs and evaluates proposed methods, so provides valuable experience and feedback to the method developers. The second target audience is the industrial supply chain for solid biomass fuels. We are working with landowners, recovery specialist, equipment designers, and both institutional and industrial users of solid biomass fuels to help them gain a better understanding of the processing challenges and true value of these materials. Subproject 7. The target audience for efforts designed to cause change in knowledge and actions are forest harvesting contractors, forest managers, and forest engineers working for both public agencies and private companies. Subproject 8. Woodlot and forest owners, forest industry personnel and students, bioenergy harvesting operators and international bioenergy research community. Subproject 9. The target audiences are natural resource managers, logging operations managers, and soil scientists. Poster presentations at the national Society of American Foresters meeting, state Society of American Foresters meeting, Oregon Logging Conference, and an article in the regional applied forestry journal were designed to reach target audiences. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Subproject 6. Project participation has increased from our original plan of one industrial partner supplying access to six sites, to numerous industrial partners supplying 69 samples to date. Part of the reason that our study scope has expanded is that we have been able to acquire undergraduate research support funds to partially cover wages for our student workers. Subproject 9. Following site analysis, the site identified on the College Forests did not have ideal conditions for the test and the initial felling contractor, Mike Bruer, had developed other commitments. Wimer and Sessions met with Lee Miller during winter 2011 to discuss options to use a harvester, rather than a feller buncher, on steep slopes to prepare logs for a skyline operation as well as to demonstrate forwarder operations on steep slopes. Subsequent contact with Starker Forests indicated that Miller and Starker were willing to sponsor a test project on Starker Forests at no cost to the College. Loren Kellogg and Paul Adams joined the project and Ben Flint, as part of his M.S. thesis was available to do the layout, time study and analysis to compare the steep slope harvester skyline concept with steep slope forwarder and conventional skyline and forwarder operations. Rene Zamora, graduate student, will do post-harvest soil impacts analysis under the guidance of John Sessions and Paul Adams.
Impacts
1) One invention disclosure was submitted and licensing negotiations are underway. Current project is a key to commercial development of base technology (THM). 2) Verification tests support application of developed models to more complex and realistic building geometries. Models should enable improved analyses of load path distributions under varying storm conditions within light-frame wood residential structures. 3) Research provides comprehensive description of innovation system in Oregon's forest sector & identifies barriers, including a change-resistant culture, poor communication, & perceived lack of resources. Recommends more utilization of the Oregon Wood Innovation Center to improve awareness of policies, incentives & tools; increase student internships; & increase policy maker awareness. 4) Nothing to report at this time. 5) Initial assessment of natural products extracts to improve durability of VTC-treated wood indicated that VTC-treated poplar was difficult to protect from fungal attack. Expanded tests are underway. 6) Studies and outreach are helping provide order in woody biomass solid fuels market place by providing generators/users of forest biomass fuels better understanding of which processing techniques work best, and by providing better insights into ability of material handling systems to deal with product quality variations. 7) Research informs forest owners and operators of new options for thinning younger stands on steep slopes, with potential for improved biomass utilization. Demonstrated it is physically possible and potentially economically feasible to utilize new technology/ground-based equipment on terrain steeper than the current industry norm. The most economical option studied for steep terrain harvesting was using a harvester for felling in conjunction with a forwarder for skidding. 8) Management of woody biomass "forest to energy" supply chain involves complex spatial, physical, temporal, & operational decisions. Project is developing new knowledge/approaches to help small businesses deal effectively with moisture management - a key element of the supply chain. 9) This study demonstrated new opportunities to use a completely mechanized logging system on very steep slopes in the Pacific Northwest. Depending on cost analyses & soil impacts, such mechanized operations may lead to less costly thinning/forest restoration activities on very steep slopes where hand felling and cable yarding are the standard practice.
Publications
- Kim, D.-W. 2012. Modeling air drying of Douglas-fir and hybrid poplar biomass in Oregon. M.S. Thesis. Oregon State Univ., Corvallis. 56 pp.
- Kutnar, A. and F.A. Kamke. 2011. Influence of temperature and steam environment on set recovery of compressive deformation of wood. Wood Sci. Tech. pub. online Nov. 28, 2011 DOI:10.1007/x00226-011-0456-5.
- Kutnar, A. and F.A. Kamke. 2012. Compression of wood under saturated steam, superheated steam, and transient conditions at 150C, 160C, and 170C. Wood Sci. Tech. 46:73-88.
- Leavengood, S. and L. Bull. 2012. Innovation in the Forest Sector. Global Forest Products: Trends, Management, and Sustainability. E. Hansen, R. Panwar, and R. Vlosky, eds. Taylor and Francis. (In Press).
- Weissensteiner, J., A. Teischinger and F.A. Kamke. 2012. Examination of operational parameters for VTC wood production. Holztechnologie 53(2):5-11.
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Progress 07/01/10 to 06/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: 1) Results were presented at two professional meetings--one at a NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) for Wood-Based Composites (WBC) meeting and the other at the International Wood Composites Symposium. 2) A detailed literature review is complete, along with development and validation of 2D truss and 3D roof models, and the results have been disseminated through posters at the 2011 Forest Products Society (FPS) Convention and a WBC NSF/I/UCRC meeting. 3) A research plan is under development by an MS student and it is expected that data collection will begin in late summer and continue into early 2012. 4) The graduate student has completed coursework and has surveyed maple veneer producers in the eastern US and Canada, as well as hardwood plywood producers in Oregon and Washington to identify a matrix of test variables. Two presentations were made to the Western Hardwood Plywood Producers, the key industry collaborator, and another at the 2011 FPS Convention. Testing of materials is underway (hardwood veneer, core material, and adhesives.) 5) A graduate student was recruited to conduct experiments using cinnamon leaf oil and juniper extract to determine if the oils provide protection against decay and mold in poplar veneers. Four poster presentations were made at regional and international meetings. 6) Laboratory capability was established to measure quality characteristics of solid biomass fuels and nearly 50 samples of biomass were collected from different suppliers and sites. A presentation was given at The PacWest Biomass Energy Conference in Seattle, WA and to the Oregon Forest Biomass Working Group. Two undergraduate students and one graduate student have assisted with the project. The two undergrads presented posters at OSU's Celebration of Undergraduate Excellence and at the FPS Convention. 7) A literature review and a study plan were completed, and a field site identified in the Oregon Coast Range for a unique trial using a steep slope ground-based harvester and cable harvesting technology. 8) A literature review was completed on the factors that affect air-drying of biomass and on the approaches taken to model air-drying of biomass. Investigators collaborated with researchers from Ireland on the development of a climate-based air-drying model for Sitka spruce and prepared and submitted a journal paper on the model. Air-drying biomass trials were initiated at four sites in Oregon; two in Douglas-fir stands in northern and southern Oregon and two in poplar stands in eastern and western Oregon. Two software tools were designed and prototyped, and a number of tools for measuring moisture in solid wood and chips were investigated. Presentations were given to three Oregon forest industry companies. 9) A landowner and logging contractor were recruited to sponsor a test project. A PhD student was identified to compare the steep slope harvester skyline concept with steep slope forwarder and conventional skyline and forwarder operations. PARTICIPANTS: 1) Fred Kamke, Professor; Mike Milota, Professor; and David Smith, Instructor, Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State University. 2) Rakesh Gupta, Professor; and Kathyrn Pfretzschner, graduate research assistant, Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State University; Thomas Miller, Associate Professor; and Kenny Martin, Instructor, School of Civil and Construction Engineering, Oregon State University. Other participants include Philip Paevere, CSIRO, Australia and Bo Kasal, WKI, Germany. After the project is completed there may be an opportunity to train professional engineers with the new modeling method. 3) Chris Knowles, Assistant Professor; Scott Leavengood, Associate Professor; Eric Hansen, Professor; and Nadine Orozco, M.S. graduate research assistant, Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State University. 4) Scott Leavengood, Associate Professor and Lech Muszyński, Associate Professor, Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State University. 5) Jeff Morrell, Professor; Fred Kamke, Professor; and Adam Scouse, Graduate Research Assistant, Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State University. The project should provide a method for prolonging the useful life of non-durable material used in the VTC process. 6) David Smith, Instructor; Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State University; John Sessions, Professor, Forest Engineering, Resources and Management, Oregon State University; Arijit Sinha, Assistant Professor, Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State University; Jeff Traver, undergraduate student; and Danny Way, undergraduate, Forest Engineering, Resources and Management, Oregon State University. The students have learned laboratory, procedural development and data analysis skills. 7) Loren Kellogg, Professor and Temesgen Hailemarian, Professor; Benjamin Flint, graduate research assistant; and Tom Lord, undergraduate, Forest Engineering, Resources and Management, Oregon State University. Other partners include Starker Forest and Miller Timber Services. Training opportunities include research work for students, site visits with Forest Engineering courses. 8) Glen Murphy, Professor; Fernando Becerra, M.S. graduate research assistant; and Dong-Wook Kim, M.S. graduate research assistant, Forest Engineering, Resources and Management. Other partners included OSU College of Forests, Ron Hailicka Equipment, Inc., Greenwood Resources and BLM. 9) John Sessions, Professor; Jeffrey Wimer, Instructor; Michael Wing, Associate Professor; Josh Clark, Research Associate (Post-Doc); and Rene Zamora-Cristales, graduate research assistant, Forest Engineering, Resources, and Management, Oregon State University. TARGET AUDIENCES: 1) Manufacturers of wood-based composites. 2) Wood-frame building designers, practicing engineers, architects, wood engineers, wood science and technology professionals, and housing market/industry. 3) Oregon forest products manufacturers and Oregon policymakers. 4) Hardwood plywood industry; hardwood plywood mills in Oregon (Eugene, Grants Pass and Roseburg); maple veneer producers in the eastern U.S. as well as the furniture and cabinetmakers around the globe that use the plywood will also benefit from the project. 5) The Collins people have provided materials and will definitely benefit as will Reach in Klamath Falls, the juniper processing people. 6) Industry and technical audiences in the Pacific Northwest but with the ultimate goal of seeing the use of biomass fuels grow beyond the industrial and utility hog fuel boiler market into hospitals, schools, community heating centers and other institutional applications where the value of biomass can contribute to economic development and energy independence in rural communities. 7) Loggers, forest managers and forest engineers. 8) Small businesses interested in getting involved in the woody biomass supply chain and forest growers. 9) Those collecting and transporting small logs and biomass from steep lands. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: 1) This project planned to use a rotary drying system for the analysis and modeling of gas emissions. The dryer system was to be donated by an industrial partner. The dryer was built, but the company pulled out of the project and did not deliver the dryer. The model was to be adapted from an existing rotary dryer model. The system was changed to the thermal-hydro-mechanical process that was recently installed at OSU. The THM process begins with wet wood, induces high temperature exposure, and produces gas emissions and thermal degradation of the resulting product. The basic science in relation to the environmental impact is similar between a rotary dryner and the THM process. Consequently, the physical system was changed to THM processing. The scope of the project and available funding for personnel support is not sufficient to develop a numerical model for the THM system. The system change caused a delay in recruiting a graduate research assistant. Only preliminary work was accomplished during the reporting period. 6) Project participation has increased from our original plan of one industrial partner supplying access to six sites, to three industrial partners and nine sites to date. We are also accepting and testing samples submitted from other users and generators of biomass fuels. Part of the reason that our study scope has expanded is that we have been able to acquire undergraduate research support funds to partially cover wages for our student workers. Our proposed study plan called for conducting several analytical tests regarding the chemical composition of the biomass fuel and its ash. We were expecting to coordinate with OSU's Ag Life Sciences analytical group to conduct this analysis, and did so with the first few samples we processed. However, we found the lab's capabilities did not quite fit our needs, and our industrial partners were not interested in the results, so we have discontinued detailed chemical composition analysis.
Impacts
1) No outcomes/impacts at present. 2) This project will enhance the knowledge available to residential building designers that can be used to design safer buildings for withstanding natural hazards like hurricanes, tornadoes, etc. The model will also provide additional information about load path distributions under varying conditions within light-frame wood residential structures of more complex geometry. 3) None at present. 4) None at present. 5) None at present. 6) Results will enable industrial partners to better plan and conduct woody biomass recovery operations through improved understanding of: a) impacts of processing machines and machine set-up on particle size distribution; b) impacts of various field collection and reclamation techniques on fuel moisture content, ash and inorganic contamination levels, and material bulk density; and c) methods to collect field data to accurately determine productivity and production economics. Results will help provide some order in the market place between local biomass fuel users and generators by helping to establish a methodology for setting, meeting, and verifying fuel quality characteristics. 7) The knowledge gained through the literature review and other project planning activities has been incorporated into the OSU forest engineering curriculum through course presentations and seminars. 8) This project is eliminating gaps in knowledge and improving integration of existing woody biomass "forest to energy" supply chain management tools for US managers. The project has benefited our understanding of modeling approaches and tool development for the Pacific Northwest region of the US by identifying the importance of season of the year, biomass drying location, species and cover type as important factors that need to be included as variables. This improved understanding has had an impact on the species, sites, sampling procedures and measurement practices used in field trials. The work has led to new relationships with a wider sector of the PNW forest industry and to collaboration with biomass supply chain researchers in Europe. The project helped build future scientific capacity in this area by supporting a graduate student. 9) None at present.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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