| abstract |
A method for removing hazardous air pollutants and contaminants from a wood product is disclosed. In a first step, a contaminated wood product is placed in a treatment vessel. This wood product includes an initial amount of an absorbed contaminant, selected from the group consisting of creosote, a mixture of pentachlorophenol and a carrier oil, a mixture of copper naphthenate and a carrier oil, and combinations thereof In a second step, the wood product is heated to a treatment temperature sufficient to evaporate at least a portion of the absorbed contaminant from the wood product but insufficient to pyrolyze the wood product. The wood product is then maintained at the treatment temperature for a period of time sufficient to reduce the absorbed contaminant in the wood product to a final amount which is less than about 20% of the initial amount. Optionally, the desorbed wood may then be treated with a chemical to remove inorganic impurities that are detrimental during thermochemical conversion of biomass. A decontaminated wood product is also disclosed. |