A series of experiments were conducted with Forintek’s MDF pilot plant to investigate the impact of various process parameters on MDF dryer stack emissions. Resin types, resin loading, wood furnish and scavenger levels were among the factors investigated in this study. Stack emissions were analyzed for particulate matters (PM), speciated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC).
Two series of results were reported. During the first series of test runs, the isokinetic PM sampling was not obtained while with the second series, all test runs were conducted under isokinetic conditions, which make results more reliable. PM results from the second series of runs did not indicate a clear impact of the investigated refining conditions. However, all PM results were well below provincial guidelines for PM emission limits, particularly those from the province of British Columbia.
Other results clearly showed that increasing resin loading resulted in an increase of individual VOCs (IVOCs) and total VOC. The replacement of UF resin by MUF resin contributed to a decrease of both IVOCs and TVOC.