JP3674926B2 - Wood powder solidified body manufacturing method and wood powder solidified body manufacturing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

すなわち、両木粉の混合物の含水率が５，１０，１５，２０，２５，３５重量％となるよう、乾燥木粉を１００，８５．７，７１．４，５７．１，４２．９，１４．３重量％と段階的に減らすとともに生木木粉を０，１４．３，２８．６，４２．９，５７．１，８５．７重量％と段階的に増やした６試験区で、製造されたペレットの固化率（重量％）を比較している。
【００４１】
両木粉の混合物の含水率が０，３５重量％であると成形された状態が維持されていない一方、試験区２，３，４，５のように、両木粉の混合物の含水率が１０重量％以上であり、かつ、２５重量％以下であると、製造されたペレットの固化率は８０重量％以上となり、ペレットとして十分な固化率となった。さらに、試験区３，４のように両木粉の混合物の含水率を１５〜２０重量％とすると、ペレットの固化率はほぼ１００重量％となり、ほとんど崩れの見られない、非常に良質のペレットが得られた。
【００４２】
上述した実施形態では、低含水率の木粉として乾燥木粉を用いたが、低含水率の木粉として生木木粉を乾燥させたものを用いてもよい。また、低含水率の木粉に混合する高含水率の所定の材質の粉体として、生木木粉以外にも、吸湿性のある種々の材質の粉体等を用いてもよい。
【００４３】
（２）第二の実施形態：
ところで、第一の実施形態で使用した生木木粉２０の代わりに、粉状の水溶性材料を用いてもよい。以下、第二の実施形態について説明する。第二の実施形態にかかる木粉固化体製造方法も図１と同様であるため、図示を省略する。
粉状の水溶性材料は、水に溶解して結着性を示す材料であればよい。例えば、澱粉や増粘多糖類等の多糖類、ポリビニルアルコール等の高分子アルコールを用いることができる。
【００４４】
澱粉は、冷水にはほとんど溶解しないが、温水には溶解して糊状となり、結着性を示す。大量生産可能で安価であり、入手容易な汎用品であるため、乾燥木粉に混合するのに好適である。
原料の配合割合については、両者の混合物を成形された状態で固化可能とする割合にすればよい。乾燥木粉を９９〜８５重量％、澱粉を１〜１５重量％とすると、両者の混合物を成形することができ、かつ、両者の混合物を成形された状態のまま固化させることができる。澱粉を１重量％以上とするのは両者の混合物が十分に成形された状態のまま固化されるようにするためであり、澱粉を１５重量％以下とするのは１５重量％より多くなると両者の混合物が流れやすくなって十分に成形することができなくなるためである。
なお、乾燥木粉と澱粉の配合割合は、澱粉が１〜１５重量％の範囲内で木粉固化体に要求される性質に応じて適宜好ましい比率を選択可能である。
本実施形態でも、粉体に粉体を混合すると互いに混ざりやすいので、容易に乾燥木粉と澱粉とを均一に混合することができる。
【００４５】
混合機５１は、加熱機を備えていないが、撹拌機を駆動することによる粉体原料の混合によって水の沸点を超えない程度の温度にさせる熱が生じる。ここで、混合機５１の撹拌機を、澱粉を糊化させる程度の熱を生じさせる回転速度に設定すればよい。乾燥木粉と澱粉とを混合機５１に投入して撹拌すると、乾燥木粉と粉状の澱粉とは水の沸点以下で混合されるので、乾燥木粉に含まれる水は混合物中に残留し、澱粉を浸潤させる。そして、混合により発生する熱により温度を上昇させて澱粉を糊化させ、澱粉から結着性を引き出させる。このように、水を混合することなく、乾燥木粉と澱粉から、水が浸潤された澱粉を結着材料とする均質な混合物に調整される。
【００４６】
調整した混合物を成形機５２に投入して成形し、固化させると、糊化した澱粉の存在により、乾燥木粉と澱粉の混合物は成形された状態のまま固化する。このように、含水率が１０重量％よりもかなり小さい非常に乾燥した乾燥木粉だけでは成形された状態で固化できなくても、上述した配合割合で澱粉を乾燥木粉に混合することにより、木粉固化体として十分な固化率以上にすることが可能となる。木粉固化体を製造する際、従来のような熱可塑性樹脂等が溶融される水の沸点より高い温度まで加熱する工程が不要であるので、低コストで木粉固化体を製造することができる。また、水を添加していないので、水蒸気の発生による成形性の低下や木粉固化体の膨れは生じない。従って、低コストで効率よく、木粉を成形して確実に成形された状態のまま安定して固化させて木粉固化体を製造することが可能となる。
なお、木粉固化体の原料として、乾燥木粉１０の代わりに１０〜２５重量％の含水率に調整した木粉を用いてもよい。ここで、様々な手法により、木粉を１０〜２５重量％の含水率に調整することが可能である。例えば、第一の実施形態で説明したように、含水率を測定しながら所望の含水率の粉体混合物となるように乾燥木粉等の低含水率の木粉と高含水率の木粉とを混合して調整してもよい。また、含水率を測定しながら所望の含水率となるように、乾燥木粉等の低含水率の木粉に水を添加して調整してもよい。すると、調整した混合物はさらに成形された状態のまま安定して固化しやすくなり、さらに強固な木粉固化体を製造することが可能となる。
【００４７】
表２は、含水率１０重量％の乾燥木粉と、粉状の澱粉を用いてペレット（木粉固化体）を製造し、評価した実施例２を示している。なお、乾燥木粉の含水率が１０％あるため、澱粉を添加しないブランク試験区１でも、固化率が８０重量％となっている。
【表２】

すなわち、乾燥木粉を１００，９９，９５，９０，８５，８０重量％と段階的に減らすとともに澱粉を０，１，５，１０，１５，２０重量％と段階的に増やした６試験区で、製造されたペレットの固化率（重量％）と、ペレットを成形する際のペレットの成形性（成形できるか否か）を比較している。成形性の欄に記した一重丸○は成形性が良好であったことを意味し、三角△は成形性が不十分であったことを意味している。なお、成形性は、成形時の形状を維持しているペレットの重量比などで評価することができる。
【００４８】
試験区２，３，４，５のように、澱粉の配合割合を１〜１５重量％とすると、製造されたペレットの固化率はブランク試験区１の８０重量％より大きい８５重量％以上となり、ペレットとしてより十分な固化率となるとともに、ペレットの成形性も良好であった。さらに、試験区３，４のように澱粉の配合割合を５〜１５重量％とすると、製造されたペレットの固化率はほぼ１００重量％となり、ほとんど崩れの見られない、非常に良質のペレットが得られた。
【００４９】
また、澱粉の代わりにポリビニルアルコールを用いてもよい。ポリビニルアルコールは、冷水にはほとんど溶解しないが、温水（約７５℃以上）には溶解して、結着性を示す。大量生産可能で安価であり、入手容易な汎用品であるため、乾燥木粉に混合するのに好適である。
原料の配合割合については、両者の混合物を成形された状態で固化可能とする割合にすればよい。乾燥木粉を９９〜８５重量％、ポリビニルアルコールを１〜１５重量％とすると、両者の混合物を成形することができ、かつ、両者の混合物を成形された状態のまま固化させることができる。ポリビニルアルコールを１重量％以上とするのは両者の混合物が十分に成形された状態のまま固化されるようにするためであり、ポリビニルアルコールを１５重量％以下とするのは１５重量％より多くなると両者の混合物が流れやすくなって十分に成形することができなくなるためである。
なお、乾燥木粉とポリビニルアルコールの配合割合は、ポリビニルアルコールが１〜１５重量％の範囲内で木粉固化体に要求される性質に応じて適宜好ましい比率を選択可能である。
【００５０】
混合機５１の撹拌機は、ポリビニルアルコールを水に溶解させる程度の熱を生じさせる回転速度に設定すればよい。乾燥木粉とポリビニルアルコールとを混合機５１に投入して撹拌すると、乾燥木粉と粉状のポリビニルアルコールとは水の沸点以下で混合されるので、乾燥木粉に含まれる水は混合物中に残留し、ポリビニルアルコールを浸潤させる。そして、混合により発生する熱により温度を上昇させてポリビニルアルコールを溶解させ、ポリビニルアルコールから結着性を引き出させる。このように、水を混合することなく、乾燥木粉とポリビニルアルコールから、水が浸潤されたポリビニルアルコールを結着材料とする混合物に調整される。
【００５１】
調整した混合物を成形機５２に投入して成形し、固化させると、水に浸潤した糊化した粉の存在によりポリビニルアルコール、乾燥木粉とポリビニルアルコールの混合物は成形された状態のまま固化する。このように、含水率が１０重量％よりもかなり小さい非常に乾燥した乾燥木粉だけでは成形された状態で固化できなくても、上述した配合割合でポリビニルアルコールを乾燥木粉に混合することにより、木粉固化体として十分な固化率以上にすることが可能となる。木粉固化体を製造する際、水の沸点より高い温度まで加熱する工程が不要であるので、低コストで木粉固化体を製造することができる。また、水を添加していないので、水蒸気の発生による成形性の低下や木粉固化体の膨れは生じない。すなわち、最適な成形性を保持するとともに効率的かつ低コストで木粉の固化を行うことが可能となる。従って、本木粉固化体製造方法によると、低コストで効率よく、木粉を成形して確実に成形された状態のまま安定して固化させて木粉固化体を製造することが可能となる。
木粉固化体の原料としてポリビニルアルコールを用いる場合も、乾燥木粉１０の代わりに１０〜２５重量％の含水率に調整した木粉を用いてもよい。すると、調整した混合物はさらに成形された状態のまま安定して固化しやすくなり、さらに強固な木粉固化体を製造することが可能となる。
なお、実施例を示していないが、試験結果は澱粉を用いた実施例２と同様であった。
むろん、粉状の水溶性材料に少なくとも多糖類が含まれていれば同様の効果が得られ、粉状の水溶性材料に少なくとも高分子アルコールが含まれていれば同様の効果が得られる。また、粉状の水溶性材料を多糖類と高分子アルコールの組み合わせで構成しても、同様の効果が得られる。
【００５２】
（３）第三の実施形態：
図４は、本発明の第三の実施形態にかかる木粉固化体製造方法を工程別に示す概略的な流れ図である。なお、第一の実施形態と構成が同じものについては、同じ符号を付して詳しい説明を省略する。
本実施形態では、第一の実施形態で使用した生木木粉２０の代わりに、繊維状物質２２を使用している。
繊維状物質２２には、様々な材料を用いることができる。例えば、ワラストナイト、セピオライト、マグネシュウムウイスカ、アスベスト、等の鉱物繊維、紙廃材等をほぐしたパルプ繊維、脱脂綿を用いることができる。
【００５３】
鉱物繊維は、高強度であるため、混合されても応力で破壊され難い。従って、乾燥木粉１０に鉱物繊維をバインダとして混合して、成形された状態で固化可能な混合物３２に調整し、当該混合物３２を成形して固化させることにより、確実に成形された状態のまま安定して固化させてペレット（木粉固化体）４２を製造することができる。
原料の配合割合については、両者の混合物を成形された状態で固化可能とする割合にすればよい。乾燥木粉を９５〜８０重量％、鉱物繊維を５〜２０重量％とすると、両者の混合物を成形された状態のまま固化させることができ、かつ、製造された木粉固化体に十分な木質感を得ることができる。鉱物繊維を５重量％以上とするのは両者の混合物が十分に成形された状態のまま固化されるようにするためであり、鉱物繊維を２０重量％以下とするのは十分な木質感のある木粉固化体を得るためである。
なお、乾燥木粉と鉱物繊維の配合割合は、鉱物繊維が５〜２０重量％の範囲内で木粉固化体に要求される性質に応じて適宜好ましい比率を選択可能である。
【００５４】
乾燥木粉１０と鉱物繊維とを混合機５１に投入して撹拌すると、鉱物繊維が乾燥木粉１０と絡み合うことにより乾燥木粉１０同士を結着させ、均質な混合物３２になる。このように、水を混合することなく、乾燥木粉１０と鉱物繊維とから、鉱物繊維をバインダとして成形された状態で固化可能な混合物３２に調整することができる。従って、混合物３２を成形して固化させることにより、成形された状態のまま固化させることができる。
【００５５】
調整した混合物３２を成形機５２に投入して成形し、固化させると、鉱物繊維の存在により、乾燥木粉１０と鉱物繊維の混合物３２は成形された状態のまま固化する。このように、含水率が１０重量％よりもかなり小さい非常に乾燥した乾燥木粉だけでは成形された状態で固化できなくても、上述した配合割合で鉱物繊維を乾燥木粉に混合することにより、木粉固化体として十分な固化率以上にすることが可能となる。木粉固化体を製造する際、加熱工程が不要であるので、低コストで木粉固化体を製造することができる。また、水を添加していないので、水蒸気の発生による成形性の低下や木粉固化体の膨れは生じない。すなわち、最適な成形性を保持するとともに効率的かつ低コストで木粉の固化を行うことが可能となる。従って、本木粉固化体製造方法によると、低コストで効率よく、木粉を成形して確実に成形された状態のまま安定して固化させて木粉固化体を製造することが可能となる。また、鉱物繊維は混合されても応力で破壊され難いため、この点で確実に木粉を成形して成形された状態のまま安定して固化させて木粉固化体を製造することが可能となる。
なお、木粉固化体の原料として、乾燥木粉１０の代わりに１０〜２５重量％の含水率に調整した木粉を用いてもよい。第二の実施形態と同様、乾燥木粉等の低含水率の木粉と高含水率の木粉とを混合して１０〜２５重量％の含水率に調整してもよいし、乾燥木粉等の低含水率の木粉に水を添加して１０〜２５重量％の含水率に調整してもよく、様々な手法により木粉の含水率を調整することが可能である。すると、調整した混合物はさらに成形された状態のまま安定して固化しやすくなり、さらに強固な木粉固化体を製造することが可能となる。
【００５６】
表３は、含水率５重量％の乾燥木粉と、ワラストナイトを用いてペレット（木粉固化体）を製造し、評価した実施例３を示している。
【表３】

すなわち、乾燥木粉を１００，９５，９０，８０，７５重量％と段階的に減らすとともにワラストナイトを０，５，１０，２０，２５重量％と段階的に増やした５試験区で、製造されたペレットの固化率（重量％）と、製造されたペレットの木質感を相対的に比較している。木質感の欄に記した二重丸◎は木質感が非常に良好であったことを意味し、一重丸○は二重丸◎程ではないが木質感が良好であったことを意味し、三角△は木質感が不十分であったことを意味している。
【００５７】
試験区２，３，４のように、ワラストナイトの配合割合を５〜２０重量％とすると、製造されたペレットの固化率は４０重量％以上となり、ペレットとして十分な固化率となるとともに、ペレットの木質感も良好であった。
なお、含水率５重量％の乾燥木粉の代わりに含水率１０重量％に調整した木粉を用いると、ブランク試験区１でも固化率が８０重量％となり、ワラストナイトの配合割合を５〜２０重量％としたときにさらに強固な木粉固化体が得られた。
【００５８】
また、鉱物繊維の代わりに、紙廃材等をほぐしたパルプ繊維を用いてもよい。パルプ繊維は、鉱物繊維ほどの強度はないものの、混合されても応力で破壊され難い。従って、同様の作用により、乾燥木粉１０にパルプ繊維をバインダとして混合して、成形された状態で固化可能な混合物３２に調整し、当該混合物３２を成形して固化させることにより、確実に成形された状態のまま安定して固化させてペレット４２を製造することができる。パルプ繊維は、木材に近い性質を有する材質であるので、木質感を良好にさせ、違和感のない良質の木粉固化体を製造することができる。
原料の配合割合については、両者の混合物を成形された状態で固化可能とする割合にすればよい。乾燥木粉を９５〜５０重量％、パルプ繊維を５〜５０重量％とすると、両者の混合物を成形された状態のまま固化させることができ、かつ、製造された木粉固化体に十分な木質感を得ることができる。パルプ繊維を５重量％以上とするのは両者の混合物が十分に成形された状態のまま固化されるようにするためであり、鉱物繊維を５０重量％以下とするのは十分な木質感のある木粉固化体を得るためである。
なお、乾燥木粉とパルプ繊維の配合割合は、パルプ繊維が５〜５０重量％の範囲内で木粉固化体に要求される性質に応じて適宜好ましい比率を選択可能である。
木粉固化体の原料としてパルプ繊維を用いる場合も、乾燥木粉１０の代わりに１０〜２５重量％の含水率に調整した木粉を用いてもよい。すると、調整した混合物はさらに成形された状態のまま安定して固化しやすくなり、さらに強固な木粉固化体を製造することが可能となる。
【００５９】
表４は、含水率５重量％の乾燥木粉と、紙廃材をほぐしたパルプ繊維を用いてペレット（木粉固化体）を製造し、評価した実施例４を示している。
【表４】

すなわち、乾燥木粉を１００，９５，９０，８０，７０，６０，５０，４０重量％と段階的に減らすとともにパルプ繊維を０，５，１０，２０，３０，４０，５０，６０重量％と段階的に増やした８試験区で、製造されたペレットの固化率（重量％）と、製造されたペレットの木質感を相対的に比較している。
試験区２，３，４，５，６，７のように、パルプ繊維の配合割合を５〜５０重量％とすると、製造されたペレットの固化率は４０重量％以上となり、ペレットとして十分な固化率となるとともに、ペレットの木質感も良好であった。
なお、含水率５重量％の乾燥木粉の代わりに含水率１０重量％に調整した木粉を用いると、ブランク試験区１でも固化率が８０重量％となり、パルプ繊維の配合割合を５〜５０重量％としたときにさらに強固な木粉固化体が得られた。
【００６０】
むろん、繊維状物質に少なくとも鉱物繊維が含まれていれば同様の効果が得られ、繊維状物質に少なくともパルプ繊維が含まれていれば同様の効果が得られる。また、繊維状物質を鉱物繊維とパルプ繊維の組み合わせで構成しても、同様の効果が得られる。
なお、上述の各実施形態において説明した生木木粉、粉状の水溶性材料、繊維状物質は、それぞれが複数組み合わせて構成されていてもよい。こうすることにより、それぞれの材料の有する利点を生かした木粉固化体を製造することが可能となる。
【００６１】
（４）第四の実施形態：
ところで、木粉を含む混合物に比較的多くの水が含まれている場合、混合物を成形しながら加熱し、混合物に含まれる水分を減少させて固化させてもよい。以下、第四の実施形態について説明する。第四の実施形態にかかる木粉固化体製造方法は図１と同様である。
本実施形態では、図２に示すように、成形機５２に設けられたヒータ５２ｈを用いて、ダイス５２ｃを加熱する。
【００６２】
ヒータ５２ｈは、ダイス５２ｃに接する位置に取り付けられている。図２の例では、ダイス５２ｃの下側周縁部に接して設けられていることが示されている。従って、ヒータ５２ｈに通電すると、ヒータ５２ｈから熱が発生し、ダイス５２ｃを加熱する。
すると、木粉を含む混合物は、成形時に水分が減少する。すなわち、木粉を含む混合物に比較的多くの水が含まれている場合に、成形時に含水率を低下させることができる。従って、さらに効率よく、木粉を成形して成形された状態のまま安定して固化させて木粉固化体を製造することが可能となる。
【００６３】
表５は、含水率５重量％の乾燥木粉４２．９重量％と、含水率４０重量％の生木木粉５７．１重量％とを混合して含水率を２５重量％に調整した木粉を用いて、ダイスの温度を加熱せず（２０℃）、８０℃、１００℃と段階的に増やした３試験区でペレット（木粉固化体）を製造し、製造されたペレットの含水率（重量％）と固化率（重量％）を比較した実施例５を示している。
【表５】

ブランク試験区１のようにダイスを加熱しない場合にはペレットの含水率が２５重量％であるので固化率は８０重量％にとどまっている一方、試験区２，３のように加熱した場合には、加熱温度８０℃であるときにペレットの含水率が２０重量％に下がって固化率はほぼ１００重量％となり、加熱温度１００℃であるときにペレットの含水率がさらに１５重量％に下がって固化率はほぼ１００重量％となり、ほとんど崩れの見られない、非常に良質のペレットが得られた。
【００６４】
以上説明したように、本発明によると、種々の態様により、低コストで効率よく、木粉を成形して成形された状態のまま安定して固化させて木粉固化体を製造することが可能な木粉固化体製造方法および木粉固化体製造装置を提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第一の実施形態にかかる木粉固化体の製造工程を示す概略的な流れ図である。
【図２】成形機の垂直断面図である。
【図３】ダイスを上面から見て示す上面図である。
【図４】本発明の第三の実施形態にかかる木粉固化体の製造工程を示す概略的な流れ図である。
【符号の説明】
１０…乾燥木粉（低含水率の木粉）
２０…生木木粉（所定の材質の粉体）
２２…繊維状物質
３０，３２…粉体の混合物
４０，４２…ペレット（木粉固化体）
５１…混合機
５２…成形機
５２ｃ…ダイス
５２ｈ…ヒータ[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for producing a solidified wood powder and a wood powder solidified body producing apparatus for producing a solidified wood powder using wood flour.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a pelletized wood powder solidified body is produced by adding a thermoplastic resin to a substantially granular woody material, heating and mixing to a temperature at which the thermoplastic resin etc. is melted, and then molding and solidifying it. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
In addition, attempts have been made to apply a high pressure to wood powder and press it into a wood powder solidified body without using a thermoplastic resin or the like.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-326852 A
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The conventional techniques described above have the following problems.
[0005]
In the former technique, in order to solidify the substantially granular woody material in a molded state, a process of heating and mixing to a temperature at which the thermoplastic resin or the like is melted is necessary. For example, when adding polypropylene to a substantially granular woody material, it is necessary to heat and mix to around 200 ° C. For this reason, there existed a desire to make a heating process unnecessary and to reduce the manufacturing cost of a solidified wood powder. Further, since it is necessary to add a thermoplastic resin or the like, there has been a desire to reduce the manufacturing cost of the solidified wood powder by making the addition of the thermoplastic resin unnecessary.
[0006]
In the latter technique, when a very dry dry wood powder having a moisture content considerably lower than 10% by weight is used as a wood powder, it cannot be solidified as it is molded (it will collapse even if molded). There was a problem that. When the moisture content of the dry wood powder is increased, it becomes solidified as it is molded, so it is conceivable to mix a small amount of water as a binder with the dry wood powder. In some cases, it is difficult to uniformly mix a small amount of water with the dry wood flour. There is also a problem that water vapor is generated from the mixed water and the moldability of the solidified wood powder is lowered. Further, there is a problem that the solidified wood powder is swollen by water vapor during or after molding, the shape becomes unstable, and the value as a product is lowered.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can efficiently produce a wood powder solidified body by molding wood powder and stably solidifying the wood powder in a molded state at low cost. An object of the present invention is to provide a wood powder solidified body manufacturing method and a wood powder solidified body manufacturing apparatus.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1firstThe moisture content based on weight is the same as wood flour.firstLarger than wood flourSecond wood flourAre mixed to prepare a mixture of powders having a water content that can be solidified in a molded state, and the mixture is molded and solidified to produce a solidified wood powder. When powder is mixed with powder, it is easy to mix with each other.firstWith wood flourSecond wood flourCan be mixed uniformly. And since both powders are adjusted to a mixture of powders having a water content that can be solidified in a molded state, the mixture can be solidified by molding and solidifying the mixture. . At that time, since a heating step is unnecessary, a wood powder solidified body can be produced at a low cost, and since water is not added, deterioration of formability due to the generation of water vapor and swelling of the wood powder solidified body occur. Therefore, a solidified wood powder can be produced efficiently.
  Here, even if the wood flour is granular or fibrous, it is included in the wood flour referred to in the present invention. In addition, the intensity | strength of a wood powder solidification body can be adjusted by adjusting the particle size of wood powder.
  The wood powder solidified body to be produced may have various shapes such as a pellet shape and a substantially plate shape.
[0009]
  It is good also as a structure which adjusts the said mixture to the moisture content of 10 to 25 weight%. Then, it becomes possible to solidify the powder mixture in a molded state more reliably. Furthermore, it is good also as a structure which adjusts the said mixture to the moisture content of 15 weight%. Then, it becomes possible to solidify the powder mixture in a molded state more reliably.
According to the above invention, the powder mixture can be more reliably solidified in a molded state to produce a wood powder solidified body, and the production efficiency of the wood powder solidified body can be improved. .
[0010]
  The above water content is 15% by weight or lessfirstWood powder and moisture contentLarger than the first wood flour andAbove 15% by weightSecond wood flourIt is good also as a structure which mixes and adjusts to the said mixture. ThenfirstWhen the wood powder has a moisture content of 15% by weight or less, the moisture content of the powder mixture can be easily adjusted.
[0012]
  Also, abovefirstWood flour is dry wood flour, abovesecondThe wood powder may be a raw wood powder. That is, since wood flour is mixed with wood flour, it is easy to mix homogeneously.
According to the above invention, since the powder mixture can be made more homogeneous, it becomes possible to produce a higher-quality wood powder solidified body and more reliably form the powder mixture. The wood powder solidified body can be produced by solidifying it as it is, and the production efficiency of the wood powder solidified body can be improved.
  Here, a step of pulverizing the wood into wood flour may be provided. Then, the wood powder solidified body can be manufactured using wood that is not powdery, and convenience is improved.
[0013]
  by the way,woodA mixture of powder and water-soluble material in powder form that dissolves in water and exhibits binding properties at a temperature below the boiling point of water, and infiltrates the water-soluble material with water contained in the wood powder. It is good also as a structure which manufactures a wooden powder solidified body by adjusting and shape | molding and solidifying the said mixture. When the powder is mixed with the powder, they are easily mixed with each other, so that the wood powder and the powdered water-soluble material can be easily mixed uniformly. Since the wood flour and the powdered polysaccharide are mixed below the boiling point of water, the water contained in the wood flour remains in the mixture and infiltrates the water-soluble material to bring out the binding properties. And, without mixing water, since both powders are adjusted to a mixture using water-soluble material infiltrated with water as a binding material, the mixture is molded and solidified to form a state. It can be solidified as it is. At that time, since a step of heating to a temperature higher than the boiling point of water is unnecessary, a solidified wood powder can be produced at a low cost, and since no water is added, moldability is reduced due to generation of water vapor. The swelling of the solidified wood powder does not occur, and the solidified wood powder can be produced efficiently.
According to the above-described invention, it is possible to produce a wood powder solidified body by stably solidifying the wood powder while it is molded and formed at low cost and efficiently.
  The boiling point of water is about 100 ° C. at 1 atm, but it rises when the pressure is further increased. Therefore, both powders may be mixed at the boiling point or less at that time.
[0014]
As a specific example of the wood powder, the wood powder may be a dry wood powder.
The powdery water-soluble material may be any material that dissolves in water and exhibits binding properties, and various materials can be considered. Here, the water-soluble material may be a material that dissolves in water at all temperature zones, a material that dissolves only in warm water, or a material that dissolves only in cold water.
[0015]
  As a preferred example, the water-soluble material may include at least a polysaccharide.
  As a more preferred example, the polysaccharide may include at least starch. Low-priced, versatile starch that can be mass-produced is hardly soluble in cold water, but dissolves in hot water to form a paste and exhibits binding properties. In addition, since it is possible to dissolve starch in water by, for example, a temperature increase due to heat generated during mixing, a separate heating step may not be provided. Therefore, starch that dissolves in water to form a paste has the effect of binding wood flour. Thereby, solidification of wood powder can be performed without using water and without separately heating, and a wood powder solidified body can be manufactured efficiently.
According to the above-described invention, the wood powder solidified body can be stably solidified as it is formed by molding the wood powder using an easily available material without using an expensive material and at a low cost and efficiently. Can be manufactured.
  Of course, in addition to starch, various thickening polysaccharides can be used.
[0016]
  As another suitable example, the water-soluble material may include at least a polymer alcohol.
  As a more preferred example, the polymer alcohol may include at least polyvinyl alcohol. Mass-produced, inexpensive and general-purpose polyvinyl alcohol hardly dissolves in cold water, but dissolves in hot water and exhibits binding properties. In addition, since it is possible to dissolve polyvinyl alcohol in water by, for example, a temperature increase due to heat generated during mixing, a separate heating step may not be provided. Therefore, the polyvinyl alcohol dissolved in water has an action of binding wood powder. Thereby, solidification of wood powder can be performed without using water and without separately heating, and a wood powder solidified body can be manufactured efficiently.
According to the above-described invention, the wood powder solidified body can be stably solidified as it is formed by molding the wood powder using an easily available material without using an expensive material and at a low cost and efficiently. Can be manufactured.
[0017]
  by the way,woodIt is good also as a structure which mixes a fibrous substance with a powder as a binder, adjusts it to the mixture which can be solidified in the shape | molded state, shape | molds and solidifies the said mixture, and manufactures a wooden powder solidified body. When mixed with wood flour, the fibrous substance has an effect of binding wood flour by being intertwined with wood flour. That is, without mixing water, it is adjusted from wood flour and fibrous material to a mixture that can be solidified in a state where the fibrous material is molded as a binder, so by shaping and solidifying the mixture, It can be solidified as it is molded. At that time, since a heating step is unnecessary, a wood powder solidified body can be produced at a low cost, and since water is not added, deterioration of formability due to the generation of water vapor and swelling of the wood powder solidified body occur. Therefore, a solidified wood powder can be produced efficiently.
According to the above-described invention, it is possible to produce a wood powder solidified body by stably solidifying the wood powder while it is molded and formed at low cost and efficiently.
[0018]
  As a specific example of the wood powder, the wood powder may be a dry wood powder.
  The fibrous material may include at least mineral fibers. Since mineral fibers have high strength, they are not easily broken by stress even when mixed. Therefore, it can be solidified in a more reliably molded state.
According to the said invention, it becomes possible to manufacture a wooden powder solidified body by making it solidify | solidify more stably in the state which shape | molded the wooden powder more reliably and was shape | molded.
  Further, the fibrous material may include at least pulp fiber. Then, a good-quality wood powder solidified body without a sense of incongruity can be manufactured.
[0019]
  UpStructureIn any case, the wood powder may be adjusted to a moisture content of 10 to 25% by weight. Then, it becomes possible to make the manufactured wood powder solidified body stronger.
[0020]
  For any of the above configurations,UpIt is good also as a structure which heats forming the said mixture and solidifies by reducing the water | moisture content contained in the mixture. As a result, the moisture content of the mixture containing wood powder decreases during molding. That is, when a mixture containing wood flour contains a relatively large amount of water, the moisture content is reduced during molding, and the wood powder solidified body is produced by solidifying stably in a more reliably molded state. It becomes possible to do.
According to the said invention, it becomes possible to manufacture a wood powder solidified body by making it solidify | solidify more stably in the state which shape | molded and formed the wood powder more efficiently.
[0021]
Of course, there is also an invention in a wood powder solidified body producing apparatus for producing a wood powder solidified body by heating while molding a mixture containing wood powder and reducing the moisture contained in the mixture to solidify. When a wood powder solidified body is produced by this apparatus, the moisture content of the mixture containing wood powder decreases during molding. That is, when a mixture containing wood flour contains a relatively large amount of water, the moisture content is reduced during molding, and the wood powder solidified body is produced by solidifying stably in a more reliably molded state. It becomes possible to do.
[0022]
Here, it is good also as a structure provided with the die | dye by which the said mixture is extruded, and the heater which heats this die | dye. That is, the die is heated by the heater, and when the mixture containing wood flour is pushed out of the die, the temperature is increased by receiving heat from the die. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the water content during molding with a general and simple configuration.
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
  As explained above,Claim 1According to the invention, it is possible to manufacture a wood powder solidified body by stably solidifying the wood powder while it is molded and molded in a low cost and efficiently.In addition, since the powder mixture can be made more homogeneous, it is possible to produce a higher-quality wood powder solidified body, and more reliably and stably the powder mixture in a molded state. The wood powder solidified body can be produced by solidifying, and the production efficiency of the wood powder solidified body can be improved.
Claim 2According to the invention, when the moisture content of the low moisture content wood powder is 15% by weight or less, the moisture content of the powder mixture can be easily adjusted. Can be improved.
[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
(1) First embodiment:
(2) Second embodiment:
(3) Third embodiment:
(4) Fourth embodiment:
[0026]
(1) First embodiment:
FIG. 1 is a schematic flowchart showing a method for producing a solidified wood powder according to a first embodiment of the present invention, by process. The wood powder solidified body manufacturing apparatus used in the present wood powder solidified body manufacturing method includes a mixer 51 and a molding machine 52.
When the pellet (wood powder solidified body) 40 is manufactured, first, dry wood powder (low moisture content wood powder) 10 and raw wood powder (high moisture content powder of a predetermined material) 20 are supplied to the mixer 51. Then, both wood powders 10 and 20 are mixed in the form of powder to prepare a powder mixture 30 (step S10). Next, the powder mixture 30 is charged into the molding machine 52 (step S11). Further, the powder mixture 30 is molded and solidified to be pelletized (step S12). And if the solidified mixture is discharged | emitted out of a wooden powder solid body manufacturing apparatus (process S13), the pellet (wood powder solidified body) 40 will be manufactured.
In this way, the dry wood powder 10 and the raw wood powder 20 having a moisture content larger than the dry wood powder based on the weight are mixed, and a mixture of the moisture content powder that can be solidified in a molded state. The pellets 40 are manufactured by adjusting to 30 and molding and solidifying the mixture 30.
[0027]
The dry wood powder 10 has a moisture content on the basis of weight of about 5 to 15% by weight and 15% by weight or less. The dry wood powder is a powdered body obtained by pulverizing dried wood, and is a powder exhibiting fine particles made of a predetermined plant fiber. The dry wood powder only needs to have a particle size that allows the particles to bind to each other. Therefore, the dry wood powder may be a collection of dry wood chips, or grind waste materials generated from furniture, building materials, etc. It may be the one made by pulverizing the waste of furniture or building materials. With such a configuration, the cost of the solidified wood powder can be greatly reduced, and it can greatly contribute to the reduction of dust, and waste recycling can be promoted.
Since dry wood flour has a low water content, it has a feel that can be recognized as being dry, and is in a state where it does not harden and bind to each other even when pressed.
[0028]
The raw wood powder 20 is a powder having a moisture content of about 15 to 70% by weight and 15% by weight or more based on the weight, and a moisture content larger than that of the dry wood powder. The raw wood powder is a powdered body obtained by pulverizing raw wood, and is a powder having a fine particle shape made of a predetermined plant fiber, like the dry wood powder.
Since raw wood powder has a high water content, it feels slightly moist.
[0029]
What is necessary is just to make it the water content which can be solidified in the shape | molded state about the mixture ratio of a raw material. When a mixture of powder composed of dry wood powder and raw wood powder is adjusted to a moisture content of 10 to 25% by weight, it can be solidified in a molded state. This is because if the water content is less than 10% by weight or greater than 25% by weight, it will collapse even if molded and it will be difficult to solidify in the molded state. Furthermore, when the water content of the mixture is adjusted to 15% by weight, the powder mixture can be more solidified in a molded state.
For example, when the moisture content of the dry wood powder is 5% by weight and the moisture content of the raw wood powder is 40% by weight, the dry wood powder is 85.7% by weight and the fresh wood powder is 14.3% by weight. When it mix | blends, the moisture content of the mixture of both wood flour can be adjusted to 10 weight%. Further, when 42.9% by weight of dry wood flour and 57.1% by weight of raw wood wood powder are blended, the water content of the mixture of both wood flours can be adjusted to 25% by weight. In this case, it can be adjusted to a mixture of powders that can be solidified in a molded state by setting the blending ratio of the raw wood powder to 14.3 to 57.1% by weight.
[0030]
To adjust the mixture to the desired moisture content, measure the moisture content of the dry wood flour and raw wood flour using an electric moisture meter, a constant temperature reduction method, etc., so that both wood flours have the desired moisture content. What is necessary is just to calculate and mix | blend. In addition, the moisture content in the following embodiment shall mean the moisture content measured from the weight change after 1 hour at 105 degreeC. Moreover, since the fluctuation of the moisture content of the dry wood powder is small, the moisture content of the dry wood powder may be determined to be a predetermined weight% based on experience, and only the moisture content of the raw wood powder may be measured to determine the blending ratio. . If the moisture content of the raw wood powder is low, increase the input amount of the raw wood powder, and if the moisture content of the raw wood wood powder is high, adjust the input amount of the raw wood powder to decrease. .
In addition, the moisture content of the mixture of both wood flours can select a suitable ratio suitably according to the property requested | required of a wood flour solidified body within the range of 10-25 weight%.
As described above, when the powder is mixed with the powder, they are easily mixed with each other, so that the dry wood powder and the raw wood powder can be easily mixed uniformly. In particular, since wood flour is mixed with wood flour, it is easy to mix homogeneously.
[0031]
The mixer 51 is a well-known device having a substantially cylindrical shape whose diameter gradually decreases downward, including an openable / closable door 51a at the bottom, and an agitator (not shown) in the internal space. . The mixer 51 does not include a heater and mixes powder without heating. In addition, although heat may be generated by mixing the powder raw material by driving the stirrer, it does not exceed the boiling point of water (about 100 ° C. at 1 atm).
Both wood flours 10 and 20 can be thrown in from the upper opening with the open / close door 51a closed, and can be accommodated in the internal space. The mixed wood powder 10 and 20 is mixed while being stirred by a stirrer. When a predetermined time has elapsed and stirring is stopped and the open / close door 51a is opened, a mixture 30 of homogeneous powder composed of both wood powder 10 and 20 is obtained. Is discharged downward.
In addition, what is necessary is just to determine the capability of a stirrer according to the property of the wood flour mixed.
[0032]
The molding machine 52 is installed below the mixer 51.
FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the molding machine 52. The molding machine 52 includes a molding machine container 52a in which an introduction part 52d of the powder mixture 30 is formed with the opening facing upward on the lower side of the open / close door 51a, and two push rollers 52e provided in the container 52a. , 52e, a metal die face cutter 52f that is rotatably attached to the lower side of the container 52a, an electric motor 52g that rotationally drives the die face cutter 52f, and the like. And it is set as the structure of a well-known apparatus except the heater 52h used in 4th embodiment.
[0033]
The molding machine container 52a includes a cylindrical container outer cylinder part 52b having a substantially vertical direction as a central axis, and a die that is a bottom disk attached so as to close the lower opening of the container outer cylinder part 52b. 52c. A large number of through-holes 52c1 are formed in the die 52c, which is the bottom of the molding machine container 52a, in a substantially vertical direction. Since the opening on the upper side of the container outer cylinder part 52b is separated from the opening / closing door 51a and is located on the lower side of the opening / closing door 51a, the powder mixture 30 is surely dropped and used for the molding machine from the introduction part 52d. It can be accommodated in the container 52a. Of course, the introduction part 52d may be structured so as not to be separated from the mixer 51 but partially connected to the mixer 51.
[0034]
FIG. 3 is a top view showing the die 52c as seen from above. The attachment position of the die face cutter 52f is indicated by a dotted line. The die 52c has a large number of substantially circular through holes 52c1 (in the figure, 16 concentric circles × 2 rows). And the mixture of the powder extruded from each through-hole 52c1 is made into substantially rod shape. In addition, the magnitude | size of the through-hole 52c1 can be made into various magnitude | sizes and diameters according to the use of the pellet to manufacture.
[0035]
The pushing rollers 52e and 52e are provided in the molding machine container 52a and rotate around the dice 52c while rotating by themselves. Both rollers 52e and 52e are rotatably attached at both ends of a substantially cylindrical rod-shaped member 52e1 installed substantially horizontally. The rod-shaped member 52e1 is fixed to a rotary shaft member 52e2 provided in a substantially vertical direction at an intermediate portion from both ends, and is provided to be rotatable about the rotary shaft member 52e2. The rotating shaft member 52e2 is attached to the roller driving electric motor 52e3. Therefore, when the motor 52e3 is energized and operated to rotate the rotating shaft member 52e2, the rollers 52e and 52e at both ends of the rod-like member 52e1 circulate on the die 52c (counterclockwise in FIG. 1). At this time, the rollers 52e and 52e rotate by themselves due to the frictional force between the upper surface of the die 52c and the rollers 52e and 52e (counterclockwise in the roller 52e shown in FIG. 2). It is possible to push the powder mixture from one of the openings (upper openings) of the multiple through holes 52c1.
[0036]
The powder mixture pushed in from the upper opening of the through hole 52c1 is pressurized by the rollers 52e and 52e, and is pushed out in a substantially rod shape from the other opening (lower opening) of the through hole 52c1. In this manner, a powder mixture 30 composed of dry wood powder and raw wood powder is extruded from the die 52c.
In the present embodiment, two push rollers are provided, but there may be one push roller or three or more push rollers.
[0037]
The die face cutter 52f is provided below the molding machine container 52a, and is rotated by an electric motor 52g for driving the cutter. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the die face cutter unit 52f includes a cutter table 52f1 serving as a mounting unit to the motor 52g, and a plurality (two in this embodiment) fixed to the cutter table 52f1. And the cutter 52f2.
Here, each cutter 52f2 slides on the lower surface of the die 52c, and cuts a substantially rod-like mixture pushed downward from the lower opening of the through hole 52c1 by rotating.
[0038]
Bolt holes are formed in the attachment portion of the cutter 52f2 to the table 52f1, and the cutter 52f2 can be screwed to the table 52f1 with a bolt (not shown). The cutter 52f2 has a sharp cutting edge, and the mixture is cut into a pellet shape by moving the cutting edge in the cross-sectional direction of the powder mixture extruded in a substantially rod shape. Of course, the cutting edge of the cutter 52f2 may be formed in a rounded shape or an obtuse angle shape. Is possible.
[0039]
As explained above, even if the moisture content is considerably less than 10% by weight, even if the dried wood powder cannot be solidified in the molded state, the raw wood powder having a high moisture content can be obtained with the above-mentioned blending ratio. By mixing with dry wood flour, the mixture is adjusted to a powder mixture having a moisture content that can be solidified in a molded state. Therefore, by molding and solidifying the mixture of both wood powders, the mixture can be solidified in the molded state (the unbroken state). When the weight ratio of the solid wood powder solidified body (wood powder solidified body not in a powdered state) to the mixture of the formed wood powder is called a solidification rate (unit: weight%), the water content is 10 to 25 weight%. Thus, by mixing raw wood powder, it is possible to achieve a solidification rate that is sufficient as a solidified wood powder. When manufacturing a wood powder solidified body, since the process of heating to a temperature at which a thermoplastic resin or the like is melted is unnecessary, the wood powder solidified body can be manufactured at a low cost. In addition, since no water is added, there is no deterioration in moldability due to the generation of water vapor and swelling of the solidified wood powder. That is, it becomes possible to solidify the wood flour efficiently and at low cost while maintaining the optimum moldability. Therefore, according to the method for producing a solid wood powder according to the present invention, it is possible to produce a solid wood powder by efficiently solidifying the wood powder in a state of being molded and reliably formed at low cost. .
[0040]
Table 1 shows Example 1 in which pellets (wood powder solidified body) were produced and evaluated using dry wood powder having a water content of 5% by weight and raw wood powder having a water content of 40% by weight.
[Table 1]

That is, dry wood flour is 100, 85.7, 71.4, 57.1, 42.9, so that the moisture content of the mixture of both wood flours is 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 35% by weight. In 6 test areas where the raw wood flour was gradually reduced to 14.3 wt% and the raw wood flour was increased stepwise to 0, 14.3, 28.6, 42.9, 57.1, 85.7 wt%, The solidification rate (weight%) of the manufactured pellet is compared.
[0041]
While the moisture content of the mixture of both wood powders is 0,35% by weight, the molded state is not maintained, while the moisture content of the mixture of both wood powders is as in test sections 2, 3, 4, and 5. When the content was 10% by weight or more and 25% by weight or less, the solidification rate of the manufactured pellets was 80% by weight or more, and the solidification rate was sufficient as pellets. Furthermore, when the moisture content of the mixture of both wood powders is 15 to 20% by weight as in Test Zones 3 and 4, the pellet solidification rate is almost 100% by weight, and very good quality pellets with almost no collapse. was gotten.
[0042]
In the above-described embodiment, dry wood powder is used as the low moisture content wood powder, but raw wood powder dried as the low moisture content wood powder may be used. In addition to raw wood powder, powders of various hygroscopic materials may be used as the powder of the predetermined material having a high water content to be mixed with the wood powder having a low water content.
[0043]
(2) Second embodiment:
By the way, instead of the raw wood powder 20 used in the first embodiment, a powdery water-soluble material may be used. The second embodiment will be described below. The method for producing a solidified wood powder according to the second embodiment is also the same as that shown in FIG.
The powdery water-soluble material may be any material that dissolves in water and exhibits binding properties. For example, polysaccharides such as starch and thickening polysaccharides, and polymer alcohols such as polyvinyl alcohol can be used.
[0044]
Starch hardly dissolves in cold water, but dissolves in hot water to form a paste and exhibits binding properties. Since it is a general-purpose product that can be mass-produced, is inexpensive, and is easily available, it is suitable for mixing with dry wood flour.
About the mixture ratio of a raw material, what is necessary is just to make it the ratio which can be solidified in the state which shape | molded both mixture. When the dry wood flour is 99 to 85% by weight and the starch is 1 to 15% by weight, the mixture of both can be molded, and the mixture of both can be solidified in the molded state. The reason why the starch is 1% by weight or more is to allow the mixture of the two to solidify in a sufficiently molded state, and the reason why the starch is 15% by weight or less is that when the content exceeds 15% by weight, This is because the mixture tends to flow and cannot be sufficiently molded.
In addition, the mixing ratio of the dry wood flour and starch can be appropriately selected as a preferred ratio depending on the properties required for the solidified wood powder within the range of 1 to 15% by weight of starch.
Also in the present embodiment, when the powder is mixed with the powder, they are easily mixed with each other, so that the dry wood powder and the starch can be easily mixed uniformly.
[0045]
The mixer 51 does not include a heater, but heat is generated to bring the temperature to a level that does not exceed the boiling point of water by mixing the powder raw material by driving the stirrer. Here, what is necessary is just to set the stirrer of the mixer 51 to the rotational speed which produces the heat | fever of the grade which gelatinizes starch. When the dry wood flour and starch are put into the mixer 51 and stirred, the dry wood flour and the powdery starch are mixed at a temperature below the boiling point of water, so the water contained in the dry wood flour remains in the mixture. Infiltrate the starch. Then, the temperature is raised by heat generated by mixing to gelatinize the starch, and the binding property is extracted from the starch. In this way, without mixing water, the dried wood flour and starch are adjusted to a homogeneous mixture using starch infiltrated with water as a binder.
[0046]
When the adjusted mixture is put into the molding machine 52 to be molded and solidified, the mixture of dried wood flour and starch is solidified in the molded state due to the presence of gelatinized starch. Thus, even if the moisture content is considerably smaller than 10% by weight, even if the dried wood flour cannot be solidified in the molded state, the starch is mixed with the dried wood flour at the above-mentioned blending ratio. It becomes possible to make it more than the solidification rate sufficient as a wood powder solidification body. When manufacturing a wood powder solidified body, a step of heating to a temperature higher than the boiling point of water in which a thermoplastic resin or the like is melted is unnecessary, and therefore a wood powder solidified body can be manufactured at low cost. . In addition, since no water is added, there is no deterioration in moldability due to the generation of water vapor and swelling of the solidified wood powder. Therefore, it is possible to produce a wood powder solidified body by efficiently solidifying and solidifying the wood powder in a state where the wood powder is molded and reliably formed at low cost.
In addition, you may use the wood powder adjusted to the moisture content of 10-25 weight% instead of the dry wood powder 10 as a raw material of a wood powder solidified body. Here, the wood powder can be adjusted to a moisture content of 10 to 25% by weight by various methods. For example, as described in the first embodiment, low moisture content wood powder such as dry wood flour and high moisture content wood powder so as to form a powder mixture with a desired moisture content while measuring the moisture content You may mix and adjust. Moreover, you may adjust by adding water to low moisture content wood flour, such as dry wood flour, so that it may become a desired moisture content, measuring a moisture content. Then, it becomes easy to solidify stably the prepared mixture with the shape | molded state further, and it becomes possible to manufacture a stronger solidified wood powder.
[0047]
Table 2 shows Example 2 in which pellets (wood powder solidified bodies) were produced and evaluated using dry wood powder having a water content of 10% by weight and powdery starch. In addition, since the moisture content of the dry wood powder is 10%, the solidification rate is 80% by weight even in the blank test section 1 in which no starch is added.
[Table 2]

That is, in the 6 test sections where the dry wood flour was gradually reduced to 100, 99, 95, 90, 85, 80% by weight and the starch was gradually increased to 0, 1, 5, 10, 15, 20% by weight. The solidification rate (% by weight) of the manufactured pellet is compared with the moldability (whether or not it can be molded) of the pellet when the pellet is molded. A single circle ◯ described in the column of moldability means that the moldability is good, and a triangle Δ means that the moldability is insufficient. In addition, moldability can be evaluated by the weight ratio of pellets that maintain the shape during molding.
[0048]
As in test sections 2, 3, 4, and 5, when the starch blending ratio is 1 to 15 wt%, the solidification rate of the manufactured pellets is 85 wt% or more, which is greater than 80 wt% of blank test section 1, The solidification rate was more sufficient as pellets, and the moldability of the pellets was good. Furthermore, when the starch blending ratio is 5 to 15% by weight as in the test sections 3 and 4, the solidified rate of the manufactured pellets is almost 100% by weight, and very high quality pellets that are hardly broken are found. Obtained.
[0049]
Moreover, you may use polyvinyl alcohol instead of starch. Polyvinyl alcohol hardly dissolves in cold water, but dissolves in warm water (about 75 ° C. or higher) and exhibits binding properties. Since it is a general-purpose product that can be mass-produced, is inexpensive, and is easily available, it is suitable for mixing with dry wood flour.
About the mixture ratio of a raw material, what is necessary is just to make it the ratio which can be solidified in the state which shape | molded both mixture. When the dry wood flour is 99 to 85% by weight and the polyvinyl alcohol is 1 to 15% by weight, the mixture of both can be molded, and the mixture of both can be solidified in the molded state. The reason why the polyvinyl alcohol is 1% by weight or more is that the mixture of the two is solidified in a sufficiently molded state, and the content of the polyvinyl alcohol is 15% by weight or less when it exceeds 15% by weight. This is because the mixture of both tends to flow and cannot be sufficiently molded.
In addition, the blending ratio of the dry wood flour and polyvinyl alcohol can be suitably selected as a suitable proportion depending on the properties required for the solidified wood flour within a range of 1 to 15% by weight of polyvinyl alcohol.
[0050]
What is necessary is just to set the stirrer of the mixer 51 to the rotational speed which produces the heat of the grade which dissolves polyvinyl alcohol in water. When the dry wood flour and polyvinyl alcohol are put into the mixer 51 and stirred, the dry wood flour and the powdered polyvinyl alcohol are mixed at the boiling point of water or less, so the water contained in the dry wood flour is in the mixture. It remains and is infiltrated with polyvinyl alcohol. Then, the temperature is raised by heat generated by mixing to dissolve the polyvinyl alcohol, and the binding property is drawn from the polyvinyl alcohol. Thus, without mixing water, the mixture is adjusted from dry wood flour and polyvinyl alcohol to a mixture using polyvinyl alcohol infiltrated with water as a binding material.
[0051]
When the adjusted mixture is put into the molding machine 52 to be molded and solidified, the mixture of polyvinyl alcohol, dry wood powder and polyvinyl alcohol is solidified in the molded state due to the presence of gelatinized powder infiltrated with water. Thus, even if the moisture content is considerably less than 10% by weight, even if the dried wood flour cannot be solidified in the molded state, the polyvinyl alcohol is mixed with the dried wood flour at the above-mentioned blending ratio. It becomes possible to make it more than the solidification rate sufficient as a solidified wood powder. Since the process of heating to a temperature higher than the boiling point of water is not necessary when producing the solidified wood powder, the solidified wood powder can be produced at low cost. In addition, since no water is added, there is no deterioration in moldability due to the generation of water vapor and swelling of the solidified wood powder. That is, it becomes possible to solidify the wood flour efficiently and at low cost while maintaining the optimum moldability. Therefore, according to the method for producing a solid wood powder according to the present invention, it is possible to produce a solid wood powder by efficiently solidifying the wood powder in a state of being molded and reliably formed at low cost. .
Also when using polyvinyl alcohol as a raw material of the solidified wood powder, wood powder adjusted to a moisture content of 10 to 25% by weight may be used instead of the dry wood powder 10. Then, it becomes easy to solidify stably the prepared mixture with the shape | molded state further, and it becomes possible to manufacture a stronger solidified wood powder.
In addition, although the Example was not shown, the test result was the same as that of Example 2 using starch.
Of course, the same effect can be obtained if at least a polysaccharide is contained in the powdery water-soluble material, and the same effect can be obtained if the powdered water-soluble material contains at least a polymer alcohol. Further, the same effect can be obtained even when the powdery water-soluble material is composed of a combination of a polysaccharide and a polymer alcohol.
[0052]
(3) Third embodiment:
FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart showing a method for producing a solidified wood powder according to the third embodiment of the present invention, by process. In addition, about the thing with the same structure as 1st embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.
In this embodiment, the fibrous material 22 is used instead of the raw wood powder 20 used in the first embodiment.
Various materials can be used for the fibrous substance 22. For example, mineral fibers such as wollastonite, sepiolite, magnesium whisker, asbestos, pulp fibers loosened from paper wastes, and absorbent cotton can be used.
[0053]
Since mineral fibers have high strength, they are not easily broken by stress even when mixed. Therefore, by mixing mineral fiber as a binder with dry wood powder 10 and adjusting to a mixture 32 that can be solidified in a molded state, the mixture 32 is molded and solidified to remain in a reliably molded state. The pellet (wood powder solidified body) 42 can be manufactured by solidifying stably.
About the mixture ratio of a raw material, what is necessary is just to make it the ratio which can be solidified in the state which shape | molded both mixture. If the dry wood powder is 95 to 80% by weight and the mineral fiber is 5 to 20% by weight, the mixture of the two can be solidified in a molded state and sufficient wood for the produced wood powder solidified body. A texture can be obtained. The reason why the mineral fiber is 5% by weight or more is that the mixture of both is solidified in a sufficiently molded state, and that the mineral fiber is 20% by weight or less has a sufficient wood texture. This is to obtain a wood powder solidified body.
In addition, the blending ratio of the dry wood powder and the mineral fiber can be appropriately selected in accordance with the properties required of the solidified wood powder within the range of 5 to 20% by weight of the mineral fiber.
[0054]
When the dry wood powder 10 and the mineral fibers are put into the mixer 51 and stirred, the mineral fibers are intertwined with the dry wood powder 10 so that the dry wood powders 10 are bound together and a homogeneous mixture 32 is obtained. Thus, it can adjust to the mixture 32 which can be solidified in the state shape | molded from the dry wood powder 10 and mineral fiber as a binder, without mixing water. Therefore, by molding and solidifying the mixture 32, the mixture 32 can be solidified as it is.
[0055]
When the adjusted mixture 32 is put into the molding machine 52 to be molded and solidified, the mixture 32 of the dried wood powder 10 and the mineral fibers is solidified in the molded state due to the presence of the mineral fibers. Thus, even if the moisture content is considerably less than 10% by weight, even if the dried wood powder cannot be solidified in the molded state, the mineral fiber is mixed with the dried wood flour at the above-mentioned blending ratio. It becomes possible to make it more than the solidification rate sufficient as a solidified wood powder. Since a heating process is unnecessary when manufacturing a wood powder solidified body, a wood powder solidified body can be manufactured at low cost. In addition, since no water is added, there is no deterioration in moldability due to the generation of water vapor and swelling of the solidified wood powder. That is, it becomes possible to solidify the wood flour efficiently and at low cost while maintaining the optimum moldability. Therefore, according to the method for producing a solid wood powder according to the present invention, it is possible to produce a solid wood powder by efficiently solidifying the wood powder in a state of being molded and reliably formed at low cost. . In addition, since the mineral fibers are not easily broken by stress even if mixed, it is possible to produce a solidified wood powder by reliably solidifying the wood flour in this point and forming it in a molded state. Become.
In addition, you may use the wood powder adjusted to the moisture content of 10-25 weight% instead of the dry wood powder 10 as a raw material of a wood powder solidified body. As in the second embodiment, low moisture content wood powder such as dry wood flour and high moisture content wood powder may be mixed to adjust the moisture content to 10 to 25% by weight, or dry wood flour. Water may be added to wood powder having a low water content such as 10 to 25% by weight, and the water content of wood powder can be adjusted by various methods. Then, it becomes easy to solidify stably the prepared mixture with the shape | molded state further, and it becomes possible to manufacture a stronger solidified wood powder.
[0056]
Table 3 shows Example 3 in which pellets (wood powder solidified body) were produced and evaluated using dry wood powder having a water content of 5% by weight and wollastonite.
[Table 3]

That is, in the five test sections where dry wood flour was reduced stepwise to 100, 95, 90, 80, and 75% by weight and wollastonite was increased stepwise to 0, 5, 10, 20, and 25% by weight. The solidification rate (% by weight) of the produced pellets is relatively compared with the wood texture of the produced pellets. The double circle ◎ in the wood texture column means that the wood texture was very good, the single circle ○ means that the double circle ◎ is not as good as the wood texture, A triangle Δ means that the wood texture was insufficient.
[0057]
When the blending ratio of wollastonite is 5 to 20% by weight as in test sections 2, 3, and 4, the solidification rate of the manufactured pellets is 40% by weight or more, and the solidification rate is sufficient as pellets. The wood texture of the pellets was also good.
When wood powder adjusted to a moisture content of 10% by weight is used instead of the dry wood powder having a moisture content of 5% by weight, the solidification rate becomes 80% by weight even in the blank test section 1, and the mixing ratio of wollastonite is 5 to 5. When it was 20% by weight, a more solid wood powder solidified body was obtained.
[0058]
Moreover, you may use the pulp fiber which loosened the paper waste material etc. instead of mineral fiber. Although pulp fibers are not as strong as mineral fibers, they are not easily broken by stress even when mixed. Therefore, by the same action, the dry wood powder 10 is mixed with pulp fibers as a binder, adjusted to a mixture 32 that can be solidified in a molded state, and the mixture 32 is molded and solidified to be surely molded. The pellets 42 can be manufactured by solidifying stably in the state in which they are formed. Since the pulp fiber is a material having properties close to that of wood, it is possible to produce a good-quality wood powder solidified body with good wood texture and no sense of incongruity.
About the mixture ratio of a raw material, what is necessary is just to make it the ratio which can be solidified in the state which shape | molded both mixture. When the dry wood flour is 95 to 50% by weight and the pulp fiber is 5 to 50% by weight, the mixture of both can be solidified in a molded state and sufficient wood for the produced wood powder solidified body. A texture can be obtained. The reason why the pulp fiber is set to 5% by weight or more is to allow the mixture of the two to solidify in a sufficiently molded state, and that the mineral fiber is set to 50% by weight or less has a sufficient wood texture. This is to obtain a wood powder solidified body.
In addition, the blending ratio of the dry wood powder and the pulp fiber can be appropriately selected as a suitable ratio according to the properties required for the solidified wood powder within the range of 5 to 50% by weight of the pulp fiber.
Also when using pulp fiber as a raw material of the solidified wood powder, wood powder adjusted to a moisture content of 10 to 25% by weight may be used instead of the dry wood powder 10. Then, it becomes easy to solidify stably the prepared mixture with the shape | molded state further, and it becomes possible to manufacture a stronger solidified wood powder.
[0059]
Table 4 shows Example 4 in which pellets (wood powder solidified bodies) were produced and evaluated using dry wood powder having a water content of 5% by weight and pulp fibers loosened from paper waste.
[Table 4]

That is, the dry wood flour is gradually reduced to 100, 95, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40% by weight and the pulp fiber is reduced to 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60% by weight. In the eight test zones increased step by step, the solidification rate (% by weight) of the produced pellets is compared with the wood texture of the produced pellets.
When the blending ratio of the pulp fiber is 5 to 50% by weight as in the test sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, the solidification rate of the manufactured pellets is 40% by weight or more, and the solidification is sufficient as pellets. The wood texture of the pellets was good.
If wood powder adjusted to a moisture content of 10% by weight is used in place of the dry wood powder having a moisture content of 5% by weight, the solidification rate becomes 80% by weight even in the blank test section 1, and the blending ratio of pulp fibers is 5 to 50%. An even stronger wood powder solidified body was obtained when the weight percentage was set.
[0060]
Of course, if the fibrous material contains at least mineral fibers, the same effect can be obtained. If the fibrous material contains at least pulp fibers, the same effect can be obtained. Moreover, the same effect is acquired even if it comprises a fibrous substance with the combination of a mineral fiber and a pulp fiber.
Note that the raw wood powder, the powdery water-soluble material, and the fibrous substance described in each of the above-described embodiments may be configured in combination. By doing so, it becomes possible to produce a solidified wood powder that takes advantage of the advantages of each material.
[0061]
(4) Fourth embodiment:
By the way, when a relatively large amount of water is contained in the mixture containing wood flour, the mixture may be heated while being shaped to reduce the moisture contained in the mixture and solidify. The fourth embodiment will be described below. The method for producing a solidified wood powder according to the fourth embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the die 52 c is heated using a heater 52 h provided in the molding machine 52.
[0062]
The heater 52h is attached at a position in contact with the die 52c. In the example of FIG. 2, it is shown that it is provided in contact with the lower peripheral edge of the die 52c. Accordingly, when the heater 52h is energized, heat is generated from the heater 52h, and the die 52c is heated.
As a result, the moisture content of the mixture containing wood powder decreases during molding. That is, when the mixture containing wood flour contains a relatively large amount of water, the moisture content can be reduced during molding. Therefore, it is possible to produce a wood powder solidified body by further solidifying and solidifying the wood powder stably and in a state of being molded.
[0063]
Table 5 shows a wood whose moisture content is adjusted to 25% by mixing 42.9% by weight of dry wood flour with a moisture content of 5% by weight and 57.1% by weight of raw wood flour with a moisture content of 40% by weight. Using powder, the temperature of the die was not heated (20 ° C), and pellets (wood powder solidified body) were produced in three test sections increased stepwise to 80 ° C and 100 ° C, and the moisture content of the produced pellets The Example 5 which compared (weight%) and the solidification rate (weight%) is shown.
[Table 5]

When the die is not heated as in the blank test section 1, the moisture content of the pellets is 25% by weight, so the solidification rate remains at 80% by weight. On the other hand, when the die is heated as in the test sections 2 and 3, When the heating temperature is 80 ° C., the moisture content of the pellets is reduced to 20% by weight, and the solidification rate is almost 100% by weight. When the heating temperature is 100 ° C., the moisture content of the pellets is further reduced to 15% by weight. The rate was almost 100% by weight, and very good quality pellets with almost no collapse were obtained.
[0064]
As described above, according to the present invention, according to various aspects, it is possible to produce a wood powder solidified body by stably solidifying the wood powder in a molded state by low cost and efficiently. A wood powder solidified body manufacturing method and wood powder solidified body manufacturing apparatus can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic flowchart showing a manufacturing process of a solidified wood powder according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the molding machine.
FIG. 3 is a top view showing the die as viewed from above.
FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart showing a manufacturing process of a solidified wood powder according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 ... Dried wood flour (low moisture content wood flour)
20 ... Raw wood powder (powder of specified material)
22 ... Fibrous material
30, 32 ... Mixture of powder
40, 42 ... pellet (solidified wood powder)
51 ... Mixer
52 ... Molding machine
52c ... dice
52h ... Heater

Claims (2)

A first wood flour, by mixing the reference and moisture content is the same the first wood powder is larger than the second wood flour weight, a mixture of powder of solidifiable water content in a state of being molded A method for producing a solidified wood powder comprising producing a solidified wood powder by adjusting and molding the mixture to solidify. 2. The method for producing a solidified wood powder according to claim 1, wherein the moisture content of the first wood powder is 15% by weight or less.

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