ANALYSIS OF CONDENSATES FROM WOOD SMOKE - COMPONENTS DERIVED FROM POLYSACCHARIDES AND LIGNINS

A feasibility study has been carried out of the analysis of total condensate (at -50-degrees-C) of smoke from smoldering combustion of wood. All of the phenol and furan components in the aqueous condensate were extracted into methylene chloride and the extract was analyzed by GC/MS. The same homologues of guaiacol and syringol derived from lignin were detected as have been described in earlier studies, but in addition, a series of furan derivatives were found. The latter are believed to arise from pyrolysis of polysaccharides. The carboxylic acids in the condensates were analyzed by titration and subsequent GC/MS. Acetic acid was the dominant volatile acid found, with a trace of propanoic, but no significant formic acid.