Comparison of VOC Emissions from Natural Wood and Heat Treated Wood

This paper describes the emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) emitted by solid Spruce (Picea abies) and Poplar (Populus alba) wood treated at 200 °C and 180 °C. The emissions of VOC from heat treated wood and air-dried (natural) wood were compared with GC-MS analysis. The focus was on the influence of temperature, on the quality and quantity of volatile organic compounds, especially on the amount of emitted phenol and furfural. Furfural and phenol are typical chemicals produced as a result of thermal degradation of wood components. The emission was analyzed as a function of time after heat-treatment. The influence of the finishing with waterborne lacquer on VOC emission was also investigated. The results of this research have shown that heat treated wood emitted more VOC-components of furfural and phenol than untreated wood (natural wood). The amount of emitted VOC declines with increasing the time between wood modification and measurement of VOC emissions emitted by tested samples. Heat treated wood finished by waterborne lacquer emitted a very high concentration of Buthoxy-ethanol. The finished surface does not decrease the amount of emissions escaping from heat-treated spruce and poplar wood.