What is wood torrefaction?

Abstract. Torrefaction is a mild pyrolysis process carried out at temperatures ranging from 225 to 300 °C, in which hemicellulose, the most reactive fraction of wood, is decomposed. Dehydration and decarboxylation reactions cause a mass loss of the wood, whereas the lower heating value of the wood is largely conserved.

What is torrefaction process?

Torrefaction is a thermochemical process that aims to decrease the water and volatiles contents from the biomass, thus improving some of its fuel properties: higher energy density, hydrophobic behavior, elimination of biological activity, easier grindability, more homogeneous composition and so forth.

What is guitar torrefaction?

A: Torrefaction is a process of heating wood in an oxygen-free environment to remove oils, pitch, sugars, resins, and other vibration-damping volatiles. My objective is to get as close as possible to the sound of guitars from the ’30s and ’40s, so I’m mostly attracted to wood in the upper half of that range.

What kind of wood is used in torrefaction?

This sample is from a new piece of Adirondack Spruce. It looks different than the other two!.. This sample is from a “new” Adirondack top that has been Torrefied. As it’s exposed to the Torrefaction process the cells close as the water and sap gets quickly released from the wood.

How does torrefaction work in a wood kiln?

The torrefaction process involves baking wood in an oxygen free environment at temperatures higher than conventional timber seasoning kilns. Taken to its logical conclusion you would end up with charcoal but stopped short, the wood merely darkens depending on how long it has been roasted.

What does torrefaction do to the cellular structure of wood?

Torrefaction is a scientific process that results in changes to the cellular structure of the wood. It quickly turns new wood into what naturally takes decades, saving a lifetime of waiting for an instrument to finally get that aged tone.

What happens to wood when it is torrefied?

This sample is from a “new” Adirondack top that has been Torrefied. As it’s exposed to the Torrefaction process the cells close as the water and sap gets quickly released from the wood. It has gotten its beautiful golden-caramel color and reflective shine.