Abstract |
The liquid waste directly resulting from the wood pyrolysis is known as pyroligneous acid liquor and is an extremely complex mixture containing at least 35 identifiable organic compounds, many of which are water soluble. It is a dark red-brown liquid having a strong acid reaction and a peculiar empyreumatic odor. The yield of pyroligneous acid liquor from softwood distillation is 50 to 60 per cent of the weight of the wood processed. The volume at the plant amounted to 15,000 gallons per day. This waste has limited uses as a disinfectant, weed killer, and meat curing agent, but probably accounts for less than 2 per cent of the total production. The largest percentage goes to waste. The only other waste associated with the destructive distillation process is condenser cooling water. (Author) |