A treatment process and wood products thereof including a product formulation of a single phase solution combining a wood preservative (durable component) with a Flame Retardant component (FR) to produce a durable Flame Retardant (dFR) treated wood product. The durable component comprises a range of copper based and non-copper based wood preservatives, while the FR component comprises alkali metal silicates and alkali metal aluminate compounds. The dFR working solution undergoes chemical impregnation (treatment) followed by a heat (fixation) process step that locks the chemical into the wood making it non-leachable. The dFR treated wood products are tested for their enhanced fire performance properties. When heated, wood undergoes thermal degradation and combustion producing gases, vapors, tars and chars. Using a cone calorimeter burn test method, dFR treated wood products show a significant reduction in heat release rate, mass loss rate and smoke generated values compared to untreated radiate pine.

The invention features a method of reconditioning a fluid container including heating for at least one cycle the fluid container to a select temperature for a select time duration; sealing for at least one cycle the fluid container; cooling for at least one cycle the fluid container to a select vacuum for a select time duration in an interior of the fluid container; wherein the select vacuum and the select time duration of the cooling step are selected to draw substantially a fluid from at least one of a pore, a cell and a fiber of the fluid container to a surface of the fluid container. The invention also features methods of infusing an infusion agent into a reconditioned fluid container, and methods for preparing construction materials, devices adapted for the construction material preparation methods, and construction materials including wood reconditioned and prepared in accordance with the methods of the invention.

An integrated boiler-dryer consisting in a sealable vessel capable of sustaining high humidity and variable gas pressures and into which is placed a lignocellulosic material, and a compound in mist form. The sealable vessel provides dry heat so as to dry the lignocellulosic material while the compound is impregnated within the lignocellulosic material.

A treatment process and wood products thereof including a product formulation of a single phase solution combining a wood preservative (durable component) with a Flame Retardant component (FR) to produce a durable Flame Retardant (dFR) treated wood product. The durable component comprises a range of copper based and non-copper based wood preservatives, while the FR component comprises alkali metal silicates and alkali metal aluminate compounds. The dFR working solution undergoes chemical impregnation (treatment) followed by a heat (fixation) process step that locks the chemical into the wood making it non-leachable. The dFR treated wood products are tested for their enhanced fire performance properties. When heated, wood undergoes thermal degradation and combustion producing gases, vapors, tars and chars. Using a cone calorimeter burn test method, dFR treated wood products show a significant reduction in heat release rate, mass loss rate and smoke generated values compared to untreated radiate pine.

The disclosure relates to a method for continuous acetylation of wood elements. The acetylation is conducted with an acetylation medium at a pressure of at least 1.5 barg in a substantially oxygen free environment. Alternatively, the method includes the steps of: (a) feeding wood elements in a substantially oxygen free environment to a continuous acetylation reactor, and (b) treating the wood elements with an acetylation medium in the continuous acetylation reactor under wood acetylation reaction conditions, at a pressure of at least 1.5 barg. The process can acetylate wood elements to a high acetyl content in an efficient way, without compromising on the quality of the material. The acetylated wood elements can be used in the production of medium density fibreboards with superior qualities such as dimensional stability and durability.

A treatment process and wood products thereof including a product formulation of a single phase solution combining a wood preservative (durable component) with a Flame Retardant component (FR) to produce a durable Flame Retardant (dFR) treated wood product. The durable component comprises a range of copper based and non-copper based wood preservatives, while the FR component comprises alkali metal silicates and alkali metal aluminate compounds. The dFR working solution undergoes chemical impregnation (treatment) followed by a heat (fixation) process step that locks the chemical into the wood making it non-leachable. The dFR treated wood products are tested for their enhanced fire performance properties. When heated, wood undergoes thermal degradation and combustion producing gases, vapors, tars and chars. Using a cone calorimeter burn test method, dFR treated wood products show a significant reduction in heat release rate, mass loss rate and smoke generated values compared to untreated radiate pine.

The invention features a method of reconditioning a fluid container including heating for at least one cycle the fluid container to a select temperature for a select time duration; sealing for at least one cycle the fluid container; cooling for at least one cycle the fluid container to a select vacuum for a select time duration in an interior of the fluid container; wherein the select vacuum and the select time duration of the cooling step are selected to draw substantially a fluid from at least one of a pore, a cell and a fiber of the fluid container to a surface of the fluid container. The invention also features methods of infusing an infusion agent into a reconditioned fluid container, and methods for preparing construction materials, devices adapted for the construction material preparation methods, and construction materials including wood reconditioned and prepared in accordance with the methods of the invention.

The present invention relates to a method for continuous acetylation of wood elements. The acetylation is conducted with an acetylation medium at a pressure of at least 1.5 barg in a substantially oxygen free environment. Alternatively, the method according to the invention comprises the steps of: (a) feeding wood elements in a substantially oxygen free environment to a continuous acetylation reactor, and (b) treating the wood elements with an acetylation medium in the continuous acetylation reactor under wood acetylation reaction conditions, at a pressure of at least 1.5 barg. The process according to the present invention allows to acetylate wood elements to a high acetyl content in a very efficient way, without compromising on the quality of the material. The acetylated wood elements can be used in the production of medium density fibreboards with superior qualities such as dimensional stability and durability.

A wood treatment method for reducing fungal growth utilizes a treatment solution comprising an aldehyde, a carrier solvent, an organic co-solvent, at least one surfactant, and at least one acid, base, or salt. In embodiments, the carrier solvent may comprise water and the organic co-solvent may comprise an alcohol or acetone. The aldehyde is impregnated into the wood, where it reacts with thiamine and other amino acids to promote cross-linking, reducing the porosity of the wood and thereby reducing the ability of various microbes and fungi to access the interior of the wood as a nutrient source.

A system that applies liquid conditioning agent to at least one of a plurality of sides of an untreated board is provided. One embodiment has an enclosure with a first side having a first aperture and an opposing second side with a second aperture having dimensions that correspond to the width and thickness of the untreated board; a spray applicator system comprising a plurality of spray nozzles located within a chamber and oriented inward, wherein the liquid conditioning agent is sprayed through the spray nozzles onto at least one of the sides of the untreated board as the untreated board passes through the chamber of the enclosure; a plurality of brushes located after the spray applicator system, wherein the liquid conditioning agent is brushed onto the sides of the untreated board, wherein the untreated board enters through the first aperture, and wherein a treated board exits through the second aperture.