Abstract: A method of processing municipal solid waste includes extracting food waste, inert materials, and ferrous and non-ferrous metals from the municipal solid waste, shredding the municipal solid waste and thereby generating a product feed comprising at least 99.7% by volume cellulose-based materials and plastic. The product feed is conveyed to a forming system and a manufacturing product is created out of the product feed with the forming system.

Abstract: A method of processing municipal solid waste includes extracting food waste, inert materials, and ferrous and non-ferrous metals from the municipal solid waste, shredding the municipal solid waste and thereby generating a product feed comprising at least 99.7% by volume cellulose-based materials and plastic. The product feed is conveyed to a forming system and a manufacturing product is created out of the product feed with the forming system.

Abstract: Wood-based composites, compositions for use in wood-based composites, and associated systems and methods are provided herein. Certain compositions include a mixture of alpha olefins and esters and demonstrate unique water repellant properties. The compositions may be incorporated in wood-based composites in place of traditional petroleum-based slack waxes.

Abstract: A composition for increasing the fire resistance of a wood product in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present technology includes intumescent particles, gas-containing elements, and a binder in which the intumescent particles and the gas-containing elements are dispersed. The composition is configured to form a coating in which the intumescent particles are present at a concentration of at least 1% by mass, and the gas-containing elements are present at a concentration of at least 0.5% by mass. The binder includes a thermosetting polymer curable from a liquid state in the composition to a solid state in the coating. In the solid state, the binder has a Young's modulus of at least 7 GPa.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are adhesives, wood-based composites incorporating the adhesives, and methods of forming wood-based composites using the adhesives. Wood-based composites formed using the adhesives demonstrate an optimal combination of characteristics desirable to the wood products industry. Specifically, the wood products formed using the adhesive demonstrate (1) a light appearance when wet; (2) relatively low moisture content after soaking in water; (3) relatively little thickness swelling after soaking in water; and (4) minimal adhesion to metal press platens during press-forming of the wood products.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating raw materials for formation into a wood product are provided. The raw materials may be, for example, strands, flakes, particles, wafers, or the like. In an embodiment, a first dispensing device dispenses a first liquid component onto raw materials within a chamber. A second dispensing device dispenses a second liquid component onto the raw materials. When the raw materials are mixed together, the first and second liquid components interact to form a bonding agent.

Abstract: Systems for attaching a plurality of wood products are provided. In a first type of system, a first wood product has a first chemical compound applied to a surface of the first wood product. A second wood product has a second chemical compound applied to a surface of the second wood product. An adduct is formed when the first chemical compound contacts the second chemical compound wherein the first wood product becomes adhered to the second wood product. In a second type of system, a pressure sensitive and/or anaerobic adhesive is placed on at least one of the wood products prior to assembly. The compounds/adhesives have an open assembly time greater than or approximately equal to 24 hours.

Abstract: A system for attaching a plurality of wood products is provided. The system has a first wood product having a first chemical compound applied to a surface of the first wood product. In addition, the system has a second wood product having a second chemical compound applied to a surface of the second wood product. An adduct is formed when the first chemical compound contacts the second chemical compound wherein the first wood product becomes adhered to the second wood product. The first chemical compound and the second chemical compound have an open assembly time greater than or approximately equal to 24 hours.

Abstract: A low-nitrogen content, high molecular weight, phenol-formaldehyde resin. The low-nitrogen content, high molecular weight, phenol-formaldehyde resin has a nitrogen content of from about 0 to 3%, is an aqueous solvent-free solution, has a molar ratio of formaldehyde to phenol of 1.2 to 3.0, a viscosity of less than about 500 cps at 20° C., an alkalinity level of about 5% to 15% and a percent solids of 10% to 60%.

Abstract: A process for making engineered lignocellulosic-based panels with superior strength and dimensional stability. The process comprising adding to green lignocellulosic particles a low-nitrogen content, high molecular weight, phenol-formaldehyde resin before the green particles are dried. The resin is added in an amount from about 1 to 25 weight percent based on the dry weight of the green lignocellulosic particles. The resin has a nitrogen content of from about 0 to 3%, a viscosity of from about 20 to 2000 cps at 20° C., and a molar ratio of formaldehyde/phenol of from about 1.2 to 3.0. The green lignocellulosic particles treated with the resin are dried until the particles have a moisture content of from 1 to 8%. A second resin is added to the dried particles and then the dried particles are consolidated under heat and pressure to form the engineered panel.

Abstract: A low-nitrogen content, high molecular weight, phenol-formaldehyde resin. The low-nitrogen content, high molecular weight, phenol-formaldehyde resin has a nitrogen content of from about 0 to 3%, a viscosity of from about 20 to 2000 cps at 20° C., and a molar ratio of formaldehyde/phenol of from about 1.2 to 3.0.