Researched by Max R.
2003-04

• PURPOSE 
• HYPOTHESIS 
• EXPERIMENT DESIGN 
• MATERIALS 
• PROCEDURES 
• RESULTS 
• CONCLUSION 

• RESEARCH REPORT 
• BIBLIOGRAPHY 
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

• ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

This report includes information about the properties of wood as used for fuel, combustion, and the heat energy produced by combustion.

The definition of wood is a tough substance found under the bark of trees and shrubs. There are two main categories for wood classification, hard wood and soft wood. Hard woods are deciduous trees or wide leafed trees, while soft woods are coniferous trees, which are cone bearing evergreens. Soft woods are used for construction and making paper products, while hard woods are used for producing furniture and housing materials. Hard woods are normally denser than soft woods. Every species of wood has a different pattern or design by which to distinguish it by. Wood consists of many things, 50% cellulose, 15%-30% hemicelluloses, 15%-30% lignin, and 5%-30% ash and other extractives. Denser hard woods are more likely to burn slower and hotter than less dense soft woods. Another thing is that hard woods are more likely to be more difficult to ignite because of they contain less oxygen. 

Combustion is a rapid process of burning, which produces heat and usually light. This oxidation process will occur when fuel is heated enough to produce a flammable gas. Oxygen and fuel are needed for combustion to occur combustion is also a rapid release of energy. The more oxygen that is consumed the more heat and energy is produced. There are many types of combustion such as Thermal Combustion, Spontaneous Combustion, and Internal Combustion in engines. Combustion is an effective way to dispose of waste. 

Heat is one of the most important forms of energy. Combustion creates heat by chemical reaction. Heat keeps us alive. One of our main sources of heat is our food, which undergoes a chemical reaction to create heat and keep our bodies temperature at a constant level. Anything that gives off heat is a heat source. There are six main heat sources, the sun, the earth, chemical reactions, nuclear energy, friction, and electricity. You can’t see heat or energy unless its in huge amounts, but you may notice its effects

A BTu is defined as the amount of energy required to increase the temperature of one pound of water at its maximum density by one degree of Fahrenheit temperature at normal atmospheric pressure. Also a BT’s are used to measure the quantities specification for energy producing or energy consuming appliances for the amount of heat they produce. One British thermal unit or BTu is equivalent to the energy found in the tip of a match. One BTu is equal to 0.25 food calories. One British thermal unit is equal to 1055.05585 Joules. 

In conclusion different properties of wood affect the amount of thermal energy produced by their combustion. Different species of wood produce different amounts of heat. 

Kuhns, Mike and Schmidt, Tom. Heating With Wood, Species, Characteristics, and
Volumes G88-881-A. Nov 25,2003
<http;//extension.usu.edu/forestery/HomeTown/Genral_HeatingWithWood.htm>

Joule Michels. “What Is A BTu?” 2/4/04

“Whatis? com”, “British thermal unit”. 2/9/04 
 http://whatis.techtarget.com/defonition/0,sid9_gci213563.00.html

“Heat Energy”World Book 2003 Deluxe Addition 1/15/04 
 CD-ROM. World Book Inc. 1997 

R.E Treybal “Combustion” Microsoft Encarta. 
 CD-ROM Encyclopedia Deluxe 2001.