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Conversion of CCA-treated wood to ethanol: a method to reduce leaching of metals from disposed treated wood prior to disposal

  • SPECIAL FEATURE: ORIGINAL ARTICLE
  • 3rd International Scientific Conference (3rd 3RINCs 2016)
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Abstract

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the feasibility of producing ethanol from CCA-treated wood that is highly leachable. Following the initial tests, CCA-treated wood was hydrolysed and fermented and the results showed not only that ethanol was produced during the fermentation process but that metals were taken up by the yeast. Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure tests of the hydrolysed wood leached less than 4 mg/L of As while minimal amounts of Cr and Cu remained in the hydrolysed wood which makes landfilling of hydrolysed wood acceptable and less hazardous. A slightly lower amount of ethanol from CCA-treated than untreated wood was produced (6 and 7 g/L, respectively). In general, it suggests that production of ethanol as a source of energy from a hazardous waste (CCA-treated wood) is feasible.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support of Concordia University for this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 de Maisonneuve Boulevard W., EV 006-187, Montreal, QC, H3G 1M8, Canada

    Azita H. Moghaddam & Catherine N. Mulligan

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  1. Azita H. Moghaddam
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  2. Catherine N. Mulligan
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Correspondence to Catherine N. Mulligan.

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Moghaddam, A.H., Mulligan, C.N. Conversion of CCA-treated wood to ethanol: a method to reduce leaching of metals from disposed treated wood prior to disposal. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 19, 1008–1016 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-016-0561-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-016-0561-5

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