A system for introducing a noise-dampening polymer in-line in the manufacturing process of a manufactured wood product to achieve higher acoustic performance in siding, sheathing, roofing, flooring, and similar applications using the manufactured wood product. Several lines or bands of the noise-dampening polymer are deposited transversely across one side or face of the product. The polymer is deposited where the product is expected to contact joists or studs. The polymer may be a viscoelastic polymer.

Methods of improving reed performance are provided comprising the steps of treating one or more reeds with a solution and cycling the pressure over the solution from atmospheric pressure to reduced pressure to atmospheric pressure.

Methods of improving reed performance are provided comprising the steps of treating one or more reeds with a solution and cycling the pressure over the solution from atmospheric pressure to reduced pressure to atmospheric pressure.

The invention is directed to a process for the continuous acetylation of wood elements. The process particularly combines a batchwise impregnation step, with a continuous reaction step. In order to realize this, a collection step is built-in, so as to allow batches of impregnated wood elements to be fed into a reactor in a continuous manner. Very high acetylation contents can be obtained, at a level that had not been achievable before in a continuous and non-catalyzed acetylation process.

The invention is directed to a process for the continuous acetylation of wood elements. The process particularly combines a batchwise impregnation step, with a continuous reaction step. In order to realize this, a collection step is built-in, so as to allow batches of impregnated wood elements to be fed into a reactor in a continuous manner. Very high acetylation contents can be obtained, at a level that had not been achievable before in a continuous and non-catalyzed acetylation process.

Methods for treating cellulosic materials comprising introducing a liquid treating composition into the cellulosic material, the treating composition comprising a solution prepared from at least: (i) one or more of a copper amine complex or copper ammine complex, such as copper tetraamine carbonate, (ii) one or more of ammonia or a water-soluble amine and (iii) water; and exposing the cellulosic material provided thereby to carbon dioxide and/or carbonic acid to provide treated cellulosic material, and treated cellulosic materials prepared thereby.

Methods for treating cellulosic materials comprising introducing a liquid treating composition into the cellulosic material, the treating composition comprising a solution prepared from at least: (i) one or more of a copper amine complex or copper ammine complex, such as copper tetraamine carbonate, (ii) one or more of ammonia or a water-soluble amine and (iii) water; and exposing the cellulosic material provided thereby to carbon dioxide and/or carbonic acid to provide treated cellulosic material, and treated cellulosic materials prepared thereby.

Methods for producing structural materials from lumber are provided. The methods use an oxygen pre-treatment or a carbonate pre-treatment followed by densification via thermal compression to produce structural materials with strong mechanical properties. The pre-treatments are able to partially delignify the lumber without substantially adversely affecting the mechanical properties of the subsequently densified wood.

Methods for producing structural materials from lumber are provided. The methods use an oxygen pre-treatment or a carbonate pre-treatment followed by densification via thermal compression to produce structural materials with strong mechanical properties. The pre-treatments are able to partially delignify the lumber without substantially adversely affecting the mechanical properties of the subsequently densified wood.

The invention is directed to a process for the continuous acetylation of wood elements. The process particularly combines a batchwise impregnation step, with a continuous reaction step. In order to realize this, a collection step is built-in, so as to allow batches of impregnated wood elements to be fed into a reactor in a continuous manner. Very high acetylation contents can be obtained, at a level that had not been achievable before in a continuous and non-catalyzed acetylation process.