W
Waste streams: Unused solid or liquid by-product of a process.
Waste vegetable oil (WVO): Grease from the nearest fryer which is filtered and used in modified diesel engines, or converted to biodiesel through the process of transesterification and used in any old diesel car.
Water-cooled vibrating grate: A boiler grate made up of a tuyere grate surface mounted on a grid of water tubes interconnected with the boiler circulation system for positive cooling; the structure is supported by flexing plates allowing the grid and grate to move in a vibrating action; ash is automatically discharged.
Water Quality: Suitability of the water coming from ground and surface water supplies for drinking water, recreational uses, and as habitat for aquatic organisms and other wildlife.
Water Quantity: Timing and total yield of water from a watershed.
Watershed: The drainage basin contributing water, organic matter, dissolved nutrients, and sediments to a stream or lake.
Watt: The common base unit of power in the metric system; 1 W = 1 J/s, or the power developed in a circuit by a current of 1 A flowing through a potential difference of 1 V ( 1 W = 3.412 Btu/h).
Wet scrubber: An air pollution control device used to remove pollutants by bringing a gas stream into contact with a liquid.
Wheeling: The process of transferring electrical energy between buyer and seller by way of an intermediate utility or utilities.
Whole tree chips: Wood chips produced by chipping whole trees, usually in the forest. Thus the chips contain both bark and wood. They are frequently produced from the low-quality trees or from tops, limbs, and other logging residues.
Whole-tree to harvesting: A harvesting method in which the whole tree (above the stump) is removed.
Willstatter lignin: Lignin obtained from the lignocellulosic complex after it has been extracted with hydrochloric acid.
Wood: A solid lignocellulosic material naturally produced in trees and some shrubs, made of up to 40%-50% cellulose, 20%-30% hemicellulose, and 20% -30% lignin.
Wood Ash: Ash recovered from the combustion of woody biomass; may be used as fertilizer or soil liming agent to reduce soil acidity.
Wood chips: A type of biomass fuel that can be used for energy or heat generation. They can be processed directly in the woods or at a sawmill. To be an effective heating or power source, it is important that chips be a uniform size and moisture content.
Wood pellets: Also a type of biomass fuel that can be used for energy or heat generation. Most pellets are one inch long by one inch diameter and contain 6% moisture. Pellets are a more expensive fuel source than chips, but also produce more heat (7750 Btu per pound compared to 4750 Btu per pound).
Wood Processing Residue: The unused portion of materials generated during wood processing or by-products created during the pulping process.
Woody Biomass: The trees and woody plants, including limbs, tops, needles, leaves, and other woody parts, grown in a forest, woodland, or rangeland environment that are the byproducts of proper forest management.
Woody Renewables: A specific term for referring to sustainable materials that come from the forest as a result of thinning unhealthy stands of trees or debris from logging activities.
Wort: The liquid remaining from a brewing mash preparation following the filtration of fermentable beer.
WUI (Wildland Urban Interface): Refers to the area where forestlands and communities meet or intermingle.