19.2.1 Materials

The Pinus bank siana (Jack pine) sawdust was supplied by a local lumber mill (Northern Wood Ltd). The sawdust was grounded with a Wiley mill and screened using a 20-mesh to a particle size of 0.75 mm for the experiments. The particles were dried in an oven at 105 °C for 12 h before use. The results of proximate and ultimate analysis of the pine sample and the chemical compositions of the ash from pine wood samples are summarized in Table 19.1. Wherein, the proximate analysis (ash, volatile matters, and fixed carbon contents) was performed in accordance with the standard of ASTM D 5142 by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and the results are reported in Table 19.1 on a dry basis. The ultimate analyses or elemental compo­sitions were conducted according to ASTM D 5373 on a CHNS elemental analyzer, while the oxygen content was calculated by difference on a dry basis (including the ash content). The cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin content were determined by the Analytical Laboratory of FPInnovations, Montreal, Canada. The samples were extracted with acetone to obtain extractive-free test specimens. Carbohydrates were determined according to the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Indus­try (TAPPI) test method T249 cm-85 and the acid-soluble and acid-insoluble lignin was determined according to the TAPPI test method T222cm-88. The results are summarized in Table 19.2.