Effects of Air-Injection Press on Emission of Volatile Organic Compounds from Particleboard

摘要

An air-injection press (AIP) was developed to prevent blowout from particleboard by injecting high-pressure air into the particle mat. Theoretically, the AIP is expected to reduce the amount of unreacted formaldehyde in the resin. The aim of this study was to clarify the effect of the AIP on the emission of formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from particleboard. VOC emissions from particleboard using the AIP was examined by the small-chamber method, in accordance with the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS). During the manufacture of particleboard, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene and styrene were added to urea formaldehyde resin to investigate the reduction of these VOCs. Moreover, these emissions during the manufacture of particleboard on the laboratory scale were analyzed. Formaldehyde and VOC emission from particleboard was decreased when using the AIP, even when no formaldehyde scavenger was added. Both water-soluble and water-insoluble VOCs were emitted along with high-pressure air to the outside of the manufacturing equipment. These results show that the use of the AIP is a novel means of reducing VOC and formaldehyde emission from particleboard.