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  1. Environmental impact of producing hardwood lumber using life-cycle inventory

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    Author(s): Richard D. Bergman; S.A. Bowe
    Date: 2007
    Source: Proceedings of the 10th International IUFRO Division 5 Wood Drying Conference : 2007 August 26-30, Orono, ME, The University of Maine. [S.l. : s.n.], 2007: 6 pages
    Publication Series: Full Proceedings
    PDF: View PDF  (126 KB)

    Description

    Using sustainable building materials is gaining a significant presence in the United States therefore proving sustainability claims are becoming increasingly more important. Showing wood products as green building materials is vital for the long-term productivity of the wood building industry. This study examined hardwood lumber manufacturing using Life-Cycle Inventory methodology. Material flow and energy type and use were identified for hardwood sawmills in the northeastern United States. A hardwood log volume conversion of 43.7% to planed dry lumber was found. Values of 608 MJ of electricity and 5,800 MJ of thermal energy per m3 were determined for the manufacturing of planed dry hardwood lumber burning mostly green wood residues on-site for energy. Emission data produced from modeling estimated biomass and fossil carbon dioxide production of 428 kg per m3 and 139 kg per m3, respectively. Increasing wood fuel use, a carbon-neutral process, would decrease the environmental impact of hardwood lumber manufacturing and increase its use as a green building material.

    Publication Notes

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    • This article was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and is therefore in the public domain.

    Citation

    Bergman, Richard D.; Bowe, S.A. 2007. Environmental impact of producing hardwood lumber using life-cycle inventory. Proceedings of the 10th International IUFRO Division 5 Wood Drying Conference : 2007 August 26-30, Orono, ME, The University of Maine. [S.l. : s.n.], 2007: 6 pages

    Keywords

    Carbon dioxide, sawmills, energy conservation, forest products industry, environmental aspects, Northeastern states, building materials, hardwoods, lumber, product life cycle, service life, sustainable forestry, environmental indicators, emissions, building materials

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https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/33313