Abstract Out of rachis and stem of palm tree from grooves in humid and dry zones, test materials were randomly collected and chipped for slow pyrolysis process. Chemical constituents of a set of pyrolysis derived vinegar were identified in their aqueous phase by gas chromatograph and quantitatively compared in sampled parts of sampled tree and grooves. Another set of vinegar was dewatered by dichloromethane, then their constituents were identified by gas chromatograph coupled with mass spectrometer, chemical constituents in aqueous state in both sampled grooves were the same but with different percentage values. In the organic phase, common chemical constituents of sampled parts and grooves were quantitatively compared. In humid zone rachis was 2,22 times richer in acetic acid and 2,37 times in phenol, but in dry zone stem is richer in acetic acid by 15,35 %. In their organic phases dominant and comparable chemicals of stem and rachis from sampled zone were furfural, phenol, benzic acid, 5-methyl-2- furancarboraldehyde, butanic acid and 2-methyl-phenol. Stem from dry zone was richer in these chemicals by 36,55 %; 96,93 %; 6,37 times, 62,05; 49; 32,57 % respectively. Rachis of humid zone contained more furfural, 63,95 %, 22,08 %, 2-methyl-phenol, but that of dry zone was richer in phenol by 46,20 %, 2,5 times in benzoic acid. Results from both phases of vinegar indicate that ecological impacts on the chemical constituents of palm from the same species are evident.

Detailed analysis of the effects of multiple extrusions on physical, mechanical, micro-structural as well as dynamic mechanical thermal properties of natural fiber high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites is reported. Composite materials containing HDPE, wood flour, and Maleic Anhydride polyethylene (MAPE) were manufactured and subjected to a recycling process consisting of up to four times grinding and reprocessing under industrial conditions. A wide range of analytical methods including bending tests, modulus of elasticity, impact strength, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fiber length measurement, water absorption tests, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) were employed to understand the effects of recycling on natural fiber-HDPE composites. The results revealed that the recycled composites had lower bending strength and modulus of elasticity values, as compared to the reference counterparts. Also, the once recycled composites showed higher impact strength. Results, as well, indicated that generally the recycled composites had lower water absorption values as compared to the reference ones. The results obtained from DMTA exhibited a decrease in storage modulus and an increase in mechanical loss factor (tan δ) for all composites subjected to recycling. Alterations in phase transition temperatures and intensities were also monitored and the possible reasons were analyzed.

Abstract: The efficacy of monoethanolamine and sodium bisulfite pulping black liquors at three concentrations of 1; 1,5 and 2% on the preservation of poplar wood from white rot (Trametes versicolor) was investigated. The wood specimens were impregnated with the black liquors using a full-cell method. The black liquors enhanced the decay resistance without any reduction in mechanical strength, and a remarkable increase was observed at higher concentrations and weight gain percentage. The performance of monoethanolamine black liquor was more pronounced, probably due to lower kappa number and higher pH. The durability class of specimens impregnated with 2% monoethanolamine and sodium bisulfite black liquors improved from 5 (not durable) to 1 (very durable), and from 5 to 3 (moderately durable), respectively. Chemical analysis showed that the presence of additional lignin in wood alters the white rot. Results of anatomical studies showed that the fibers of the control and impregnated wood specimens were collapsed after 16 weeks of incubation. Leaching tests confirmed that the fixation of black liquors in wood should be examined for further studies.