Some Structural Changes Observed in the Transformation of Wood into Charcoal<sup>1</sup>

Authors

  • E. A. McGinnes, Jr.
  • S. A. Kandeel
  • P. S. Szopa

Abstract

On the basis of measurements of microtomed cubes of white oak and on resultant charcoal, dimensional changes occurring on the conversion of wood into charcoal are: tangential, -25.68%, radial, -15.45%, and longitudinal, -11.43%. Light microscopic examination of charcoal reveals residues of combustion present in cell cavities. Electron microscopic examination indicates that the original fibrillar arrangement of the cell wall has been replaced with a smooth, "amorphous-appearing" wall structure.

References

Jarvis, J. Pitts Jr. 1960. The wood charcoal industry in the state of Missouri. Univ. Missouri Eng. Exp. Sta. Bull. Series 48. 31 p.nKollmann, F. F. P., and I. B. Sachs. 1967. The effects of elevated temperature on certain wood cells. Wood Sci. Technol., 1(1):14-25.nLasko, William R. 1957. Carbon replica technique for examination of paint surfaces in electron microscopy. Anal. Chem. 29:784-786.nMcGinnes, E. A. Jr. 1965. A survey of wood-using industries of Missouri. Univ. Missouri Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. 824. 47 p.nMoeller, Therald. 1955. Inorganic chemistry. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. New York. 966 p.nPanshin, A. J., Carl de Zeeuw, and H. P. Brown. 1964. Textbook of wood technology. v 1, 2nd ed. McGraw-Hill, New York. 643 p.nSciiaffer, E. L. 1966. Review of information related to the charring rate of wood. U.S. Dep. Agr. Forest Serv. Res. Note FLP-0145. 55 p.nUbbelohyde, A. R., and F. A. Lewis. 1960. Graphite and its crystal compounds. Oxford University Press, London, and New York. 247 p.n

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Published

2007-06-05

Issue

Number 2 / Summer 1971

Section

Research Contributions

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