The article considers theoretical bases of technological process for modified wood production for sleepers manufacture. Currently, sleepers are made mainly of natural softwoods, the stock of which is severely limited. In addition, sleepers made of natural wood have short wear-life. In this connection, there is a need to create a new high-tech resource-saving production of railway sleepers from modified wood by impregnating it with antiseptic and stabilizer compounds and carrying out thermal and mechanical modification of wood. For this purpose, a systematic analysis of physical phenomena underlying the technological operations has been performed and on the basis of which the curves for workpiece heating along cross-section in an oily liquid based on similarity criteria has been theoretically calculated, and on the basis of the physical phenomena of heat and mass transfer the duration of workpieces drying has been calculated. Methods of impregnation, loading and depressurization during pressing have been got. Based on system analysis of physical phenomena and performed calculations, structure and regimes of technological process for modified wood manufacturing have been developed.
Keywords: modified wood, drying, impregnation, pressing, antiseptic, moisture, stabilizer, physical and mechanical properties, sleepers, wood modification technology