Wood ash: Difference between revisions
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'''Wood ash''' is the residue [[powder]] left after the [[combustion]] of [[wood]]. Main producers of wood ash are wood industries and power plants. |
'''Wood ash''' is the residue [[powder]] left after the [[combustion]] of [[wood]]. Main producers of wood ash are wood industries and power plants. |
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==Composition== |
==Composition== |
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Typically 6-10 percent of burned wood results in ash.<ref>[http://hubcap.clemson.edu/~blpprt/bestwoodash.html Clemson University: Soil Acidity and Liming], accessed October 1, 2008</ref> The composition of wood ash is influenced by the type of wood that has been burned. Also the conditions of the combustion affect the composition and amount of the residue ash, thus higher temperature will reduce ash yield.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=5621349 |title=Physical and |
Typically 6-10 percent of burned wood results in ash.<ref>[http://hubcap.clemson.edu/~blpprt/bestwoodash.html Clemson University: Soil Acidity and Liming], accessed October 1, 2008</ref> The composition of wood ash is influenced by the type of wood that has been burned. Also the conditions of the combustion affect the composition and amount of the residue ash, thus higher temperature will reduce ash yield.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=5621349 |title=Physical and chemical characteristics of wood ash |author=L. Etiegni, Campbell AG |journal=Biosource technology (1991) 37(2):173-8}}</ref><ref name=misra>{{cite journal| author=Misra MK, Ragland KW, Baker AJ | title=Wood Ash Composition as a Function of Furnace Temerature | journal=Biomass and Bioenergy (1993) 4(2):103-116| url=http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/pdf1993/misra93a.pdf}}</ref> |
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Wood ash contains [[calcium carbonate]] as its major component, representing 25 <ref name=purdue/> or even 45 percent.<ref>[http://www.humeseeds.com/ashes.htm] Ed Hume Seeds: Wood Ashes - How to use them in the Garden</ref> Less than 10 percent is [[potash]], and less than 1 percent [[phosphate]]; there are trace elements of iron, manganese, zinc, copper and some heavy metals.<ref name=purdue>{{cite web |url=http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/woodash.html |author=Purdue University |
Wood ash contains [[calcium carbonate]] as its major component, representing 25 <ref name=purdue/> or even 45 percent.<ref>[http://www.humeseeds.com/ashes.htm] Ed Hume Seeds: Wood Ashes - How to use them in the Garden</ref> Less than 10 percent is [[potash]], and less than 1 percent [[phosphate]]; there are trace elements of iron, manganese, zinc, copper and some heavy metals.<ref name=purdue>{{cite web |url=http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/woodash.html |author=Purdue University |
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Revision as of 14:02, 7 July 2009
Wood ash is the residue powder left after the combustion of wood. Main producers of wood ash are wood industries and power plants.
Composition
Typically 6-10 percent of burned wood results in ash.[1] The composition of wood ash is influenced by the type of wood that has been burned. Also the conditions of the combustion affect the composition and amount of the residue ash, thus higher temperature will reduce ash yield.[2][3]
Wood ash contains calcium carbonate as its major component, representing 25 [4] or even 45 percent.[5] Less than 10 percent is potash, and less than 1 percent phosphate; there are trace elements of iron, manganese, zinc, copper and some heavy metals.[4] However these numbers vary as combustion temperature is an important variable in determining wood ash composition.[3]
Uses
Wood ash is commonly disposed of in landfills, but with rising disposal costs ecologically friendly alternatives are becoming more attractive.[6]
For a long time wood ash has been used in agricultural soil applications as it recycles nutrients back to the land. Wood ash has some value as a fertilizer, but does not contain nitrogen. Because of the presence of calcium carbonate it acts as a liming agent and will deacidify the soil increasing its pH.[4]. Potassium hydroxide can be made from wood ash[7], this in turn can be used to make soap.
References
- ^ Clemson University: Soil Acidity and Liming, accessed October 1, 2008
- ^ L. Etiegni, Campbell AG. "Physical and chemical characteristics of wood ash". Biosource technology (1991) 37(2):173-8.
- ^ a b Misra MK, Ragland KW, Baker AJ. "Wood Ash Composition as a Function of Furnace Temerature" (PDF). Biomass and Bioenergy (1993) 4(2):103-116.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c Purdue University
Consumer Horticulture,
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. "Wood Ash in the Garden".
{{cite web}}: line feed character in|author=at position 18 (help), accessed October 1,2008 - ^ [1] Ed Hume Seeds: Wood Ashes - How to use them in the Garden
- ^ Demeyer A, Voundi Nkana JC, Verloo MG. "Characteristics of wood ash and influence on soil properties and nutrient uptake: an overview".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Making lye from wood ash, accessed October 1, 2008
See also
[[Catego