Abstract: A system for orienting strands (e.g., wood strands) includes multiple rotatable shafts that extend perpendicular to a travel direction of a mat of aligned strands. Each shaft can include axially spaced agitation members that extend radially away from the shaft, such as in a direction parallel to the travel direction. A vane set can be positioned vertically below the shafts. The vane set can include multiple partitions that define inter-partition spacings parallel to the travel direction. In an example, an inter-partition spacing of the vane set can be greater along a bottom portion of adjacent partitions than along a top portion of the same adjacent partitions. In an example, an upper edge thickness of a partition can be greater than a lower edge thickness of the same partition.

Abstract: A system for orienting strands (e.g., wood strands) includes multiple rotatable shafts that extend perpendicular to a travel direction of a mat of aligned strands. Each shaft can include axially spaced agitation members that extend radially away from the shaft, such as in a direction parallel to the travel direction. A vane set can be positioned vertically below the shafts. The vane set can include multiple partitions that define inter-partition spacings parallel to the travel direction. In an example, an inter-partition spacing of the vane set can be greater along a bottom portion of adjacent partitions than along a top portion of the same adjacent partitions. In an example, an upper edge thickness of a partition can be greater than a lower edge thickness of the same partition.

Abstract: An adhesive bonding material can be provided. This adhesive bonding material comprises (a) an isocyanate polymer and/or (b) an amino resin, and (c) a plant oil modifier. The adhesive bonding system can be used in a method for producing a composite lignocellulosic product.

Abstract: The method of present invention comprises forming a mat of a plurality of layers of lignocellulosic material, having first and second outer surfaces. The mat includes first bands of an adhesive bonding material applied on at least one of the first and second outer surfaces, between each pair of adjacent layers, at a location extending adjacent to the longitudinally-extending outer edges of the product. Then, the plurality of layers of lignocellulosic material of the mat are bonded together to form the multi-layer lignocellulosic product which exhibits a relative small difference in the edge swell, after wetting, of at least one of the outer surfaces as compared to at least one of the longitudinally-extending and laterally-extending outer edges, respectively.

Abstract: A system for drying wood particles and a method of operation wherein the wood particles are introduced into a dryer and contacted directly with a combustion system exhaust stream. VOC's emitted from the wood particles during drying are recycled to the combustion system for destruction. In one method according to the invention, a portion of the VOC-laden dryer exhaust stream is recycled to the dryer.

Abstract: A method for recovering VOC and HAP emissions in the production of a lignocellulosic product is provided. The method comprises forming a mat of lignocellulosic material by bonding together and mat in a product formation press with an adhesive material to produce the lignocellulosic product. VOC and HAP emissions are produced during the formation of the lignocellulosic product in a product formation press. The VOC and HAP emissions produced are withdrawn during the formation of and lignocellulosic product prior to removal of the lignocellulosic product from the product formation press. Then, the VOC and HAP emissions which are withdrawn from the formation press are recovered without releasing same to the atmosphere. The product formation press is substantially closed to the surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for recovering VOC and HAP emissions in the production of a lignocellulosic product is provided. The method comprises forming a mat of lignocellulosic material by bonding together and mat in a product formation press with an adhesive material to produce the lignocellulosic product. VOC and HAP emissions are produced during the formation of the lignocellulosic product in a product formation press. The VOC and HAP emissions produced are withdrawn during the formation of and lignocellulosic product prior to removal of the lignocellulosic product from the product formation press. Then, the VOC and HAP emissions which are withdrawn from the formation press are recovered without releasing same to the atmosphere.

Abstract: According to the teachings of the present invention, a sprayable adhesive system is produced by a method which subsequently sprays the system onto and adheres together lignocellulosic particles in the formation of a lignocellulosic particulate composite structures. The sprayable adhesive system is formed prior to spraying same onto lignocellulosic particles by precombining the adhesive system components prior to applying same to the lignocellulosic particles. The adhesive system typically comprises an adhesive composition comprising an aldehyde resin and a polymeric isocyanate.