Gate-to-Gate Life-Cycle Inventory on Hardwood Sawmills in the Northeastern Region of the United States

Abstract

Using sustainable building materials is gaining a significant presence in the United States therefore proving sustainability claims are becoming increasingly more important. Certifying wood products as green building materials is vital for the long-term productivity of the wood building industry and for forest management. This study examined hardwood lumber manufacturing using Life-Cycle Inventory methodology. Material flow and energy type and use were identified for hardwood sawmills in the northeastern United States. Energy consumption of 608 MJ of electricity and 5,800 MJ of thermal energy per m³ were determined for the manufacturing of planed dry hardwood lumber from incoming logs. Burning green wood residues on-site generate the most energy. Hardwood log volume conversion to planed dry lumber of 43.7% was estimated. Modeling data estimated biomass and fossil carbon dioxide production of 428 kg per m³ and 139 kg per m^{3, respectively. Increasing wood fuel use, a carbon-neutral process, would decrease the environmental impact of hardwood lumber manufacturing and increase its value as a green building material.}

Citation

Bergman, Richard D. 2007. Gate-to-Gate Life-Cycle Inventory on Hardwood Sawmills in the Northeastern Region of the United States. Bergman R. 2007. Gate-to-gate life-cycle inventory on hardwood sawmills in the Northeastern region of the United States. MS Thesis. July 11, 2007. 73 p.