Combustion properties of wood impregnated with commercial fertilizers

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine some combustion properties of Calabrian pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) wood specimens impregnated with aqueous solutions of commercial fertilizers. Ammonium sulphate (AS) and diammonium phosphate (DAP) were used as commercial fertilizers. Diammonium phosphate and ammonium sulphate fertilizers were impregnated into wood at 10, 20, and 30% concentrations prior to combustion test. Then, combustion test method containing flame source, without flame source and glowing stages was performed according to the ASTM E 160-50. Results indicate that fertilizer treatments improved the combustion properties of Calabrian pine specimens. In terms of mass loss, duration of without flame, and glowing stages as well as and the destruction time, Calabrian pine specimens impregnated with 30% DAP gave the best results. Higher concentration levels of fertilizers resulted in better combustion properties of wood.

Key words: Calabrian pine, ammonium sulphate, diammonium phosphate, combustion properties, commercial fertilizers.