Torrefied Wood from Tejas Buds
Understanding the torrefication process and the benefits
About Torrefication
Torrefication of wood is a milder form of pyrolysis, the concept we looked in the biochar page. The typical temperatures is less than 600F and in the absence of oxygen. This process of torrefaction changes the cellular properties to provide a different set of physical characteristics. With general kilning or dehumidification, wood will have some residual moisture, but with torrefaction its relatively dry reducing and eliminating any further decomposition or expansion/contraction. The guitar industry has been relying on torrefied wood for making and crafting various styles of guitars for last several decades.
Thermal Modification
We use a thermal modification kiln to bake the wood we need to produce torrefied wood. The production of this is using a state-of-the-art process using legacy boiler technologies. During this thermal modification process, the wood typically loses 20–30% of its mass, while only 10% of the energy content in the wood is lost. This reduces the risk of biological degradation, although not completely overcome, but fungal growth and microbial activity are reduced. This state-of-the-art TM Kiln is designed to both kiln-dry green wood and then thermally modify them, thereby fast tracking production of torrefied wood.
Uses of Torrefied Wood
Since there is negligent moisture in the wood and all of the cellular structure has been modified, the wood is bit more brittle compared to heat treatment, but maintains overall shear and tension properties. The added benefits come from the wood becoming water resistant and insect/bug proof, as there are no nutrients for them to feed. This yields good materials suitable for any outdoor creations - from furnitures to deck boards to sidings and to farm use. We also plan to create kitchen counter tops that will be fraction of cost for material and install compared to classic stone based tops.
Availability
We have torrefied ash, pine, oak, silver maple and variety of wood for our own use. We are open for business and are taking orders. For quotes and schedules or a visit, please reach out to Levi @ 417-217-3572 or order by email to levirainbowenter@ibyfax.com or info@tejasbuds.com.
References
- Wilen, Carl, Perttu Jukola, Timo Järvinen, Kai Sipilä, Fred Verhoeff, and Jaap Kiel. “Wood Torrefaction – Pilot Tests and Utilisation,” n.d., 80.
- Boonstra, Michiel J., Joris Acker, Bôke F. Tjeerdsma, and Edo V. Kegel. “Strength Properties of Thermally Modified Softwoods and Its Relation to Polymeric Structural Wood Constituents.” Annals of Forest Science 64, no. 7 (January 2007): 679–90. https://doi.org/10.1051/forest:2007048.