1. Fiber Boards Production from Cynara cardunculus
Without Using Synthetic Resins
Camilo Mancera Arias
Supervisor: Dr. Francesc Ferrando Piera
Co- Supervisor: Dr. Joan Salvadó i Rovira

2. Discussion Topics Discussion Topics Introduction Objectives Work Plan
Outline
Steam Explosion
Pressing
Characterization
Summary

3. Introduction Importance of the project
Use renewable resources vs fossil resources
Increase aggregated value of agricultural residues
Construction materials Fiber boards. 1

4. Cynara cardunculus Wild Artichoke Native from Mediterranean regions.
Potentially High energetic properties.
Source of Lignocellulosic biomass.
Research group projects association 2

5. Fiber Boards Definition Agglomeration of fibers Adhesives
Pressure and Temperature
Classification
Hard Fiber Boards ( kg/m3)
Medium Density Fiber Boards ( kg/m3)
Semi-hard or light fiber boards ( kg/m3) 3

6. Lignin 4

7. Objectives
Production of fiber boards of commercial quality from Cynara cardunculus with better ecological properties.
Particular
Chemical characterization
Steam explosion
Identification and optimization of relevant factors
Study of other variables, soft grinding, exogenous lignin, etc.
Comparisons 5

8. Work Plan 6

9. Lay Out Laboratory Scheme
Steam Explosion
Operation conditions
Water Vapor at bars and ºC.
Residence times of few min.
Steam
Explosion
Reactor
Pneumatic Valve
How it works…
Impregnation
Flash Expansion
Extractives and Hemicelluloses Dissolution.
Fibers Partial Rupture
Tank
Lay Out Laboratory Scheme 7

10. Pressing Lignin flow and redistribution
Lignin – Fiber chemical bond formation
Operation conditions Board properties 8

11. Characterization of Fiber Boards
Mechanical Characterization
Modulus of Rupture
Modulus of Elasticity
Internal Bond
Physical Characterization
Density
Water Absorption
Thickness Swelling
Chemical Characterization
Ashes
Lignin
Cellulose
Hemicelluloses 9

12. Target Properties Mechanical Properties EU Std
Modulus of Rupture ≥ 40 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity ≥ 3000 MPa
Internal Bond ≥ 0,7 MPa
Mechanical Properties M. sinensis
Modulus of Rupture = 61,2 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity = 7500 MPa
Internal Bond = 1,8 MPa
Physical Characterization EU Std
Density > 800 kg/m3
Water Absorption ≤ 30%
Thickness Swelling ≤ 20%
Physical Characterization M. sinensis
Density = 1100 kg/m3
Water Absorption = 15,3%
Thickness Swelling = 5% 10

13. Summary 11

14. Ph. D. Student Camilo Mancera Arias Universitat Rovira i Virgili
Tarragona, Spain – January 2005 12