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.

A method for treating a piece of wood impregnates the piece of wood with a water repellent, wherein the water repellent is solid at ambient temperatures. The method includes the steps of providing a piece of wood to be treated; heating the piece of wood for a predetermined period of time, the piece of wood being heated at a temperature A; subsequently immersing at least a portion of the piece of wood in a bath of liquefied water repellent, the bath being at a temperature B, for a predetermined period of time. Thereafter the piece of wood is removed from the bath and allowed to cool. The temperature A is above 100 C. and the temperature B is below 100 C. but above a liquefying point for the water repellent, and a differential between temperatures A and B is at least 60 C.

Disclosed is a wood preservative composition comprising: an ester of boric acid; pentachlorophenol (PCP); and American Wood Preservative Association's (AWPA) P9 Type A solvent. The composition is useful for reducing insect and microbial decay in wood. Further disclosed are methods of making and using such compositions.

Disclosed is the integration of the production of acetic anhydride from ketene, and the acetylation of wood using acetylation fluid comprising acetic acid and acetic anhydride. The invention involves recirculating acetylation fluid recovered from wood acetylation to a unit for the production of acetic anhydride from acetic acid and ketene. The acetic anhydride product stream can, in turn, be directly used as a wood acetylation fluid.

Disclosed is the integration of the production of acetic anhydride from ketene, and the acetylation of wood using acetylation fluid comprising acetic acid and acetic anhydride. The invention involves recirculating acetylation fluid recovered from wood acetylation to a unit for the production of acetic anhydride from acetic acid and ketene. The acetic anhydride product stream can, in turn, be directly used as a wood acetylation fluid.

Disclosed is the integration of the production of acetic anhydride from ketene, and the acetylation of wood using acetylation fluid comprising acetic acid and acetic anhydride. The invention involves recovering acetylation fluid from wood acetylation, and sending this to an acetic anhydride distillation unit belonging to the acetic anhydride production plant.

A composition for preparing an emulsion or microemulsion, the composition including the following components (A) to (D): component (A): an active ingredient having a solubility in water at 20 C. of 200 ppm or less; component (B): a water-insoluble solvent having no alcohol group; component (C): at least one nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of a polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether, a polyoxyalkylene alkenyl ether, a polyoxyalkylene alkyl amino ether, and a polyoxyalkylene alkenyl amino ether; and component (D): a monohydric alcohol having 8 to 12 carbon atoms.

A multifunctional broad spectrum antimicrobial composition is described. The composition can be incorporated into a wood preservative, or used as an additive to provide antimicrobial properties to water-based wood coatings. The composition is a concentrated water-miscible emulsion containing 3-iodo-2-propynyl N-butylcarbamate (IPBC), carbendazim (BCM) and propiconazole (PPCZ), and has antimicrobial activity against a wide variety of fungal organisms, including surface molds, blue stain fungi and wood rotting fungi. The composition can act as an in-can preservative and is useful for antimicrobial protection of wood and wood-based substrates.

A multifunctional broad spectrum antimicrobial composition is described. The composition can be incorporated into a wood preservative, or used as an additive to provide antimicrobial properties to water-based wood coatings. The composition is a concentrated water-miscible emulsion containing 3-iodo-2-propynyl N-butylcarbamate (IPBC), carbendazim (BCM) and propiconazole (PPCZ), and has antimicrobial activity against a wide variety of fungal organisms, including surface molds, blue stain fungi and wood rotting fungi. The composition can act as an in-can preservative and is useful for antimicrobial protection of wood and wood-based substrates.

Disclosed is a biocide concentrate composition to be incorporated into oil-based formulations useful for the treatment and preservation of wood. Also disclosed are oil-based biocide compositions and creosote based biocide compositions.