Evaluating the Use of Humidification Systems During Heat Treatment of MPB Lumber

Abstract

Lumber produced from lodgepole pine logs attacked by the mountain pine beetle (MPB) infestation in British Columbia, Canada, exhibits very low initial moisture content (MC). Depending on the time elapsed since attack, the initial MC can be significantly lower than the fiber saturation point (FSP ∼30%). Lumber exhibiting 19% MC or less is considered ready for the dimension lumber market and does not necessarily need to be kiln dried. However, phytosanitary regulations require that lumber products be heat treated before delivery to customers. For lumber already quite dry, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) kiln drying/heat treatment schedules may be too long and can result in overdrying. For the significant volume of MPB lumber with an initial MC below 19%, the use of low-pressure steam or cold water spray could allow this lumber to be heat treated without causing further drying. This approach should result in improved lumber quality because overdrying would certainly be minimized and probably eliminated. In this study, two sorts (dry and wet sort) of MPB lumber were dried in a pilot laboratory kiln humidified with low-pressure steam or cold water spray. Twelve drying runs were carried out. The experimental results indicated that the times to reach the temperature of 56°C in the core of the lumber were shortened and warp for the dry-sort lumber group was reduced when the low-pressure steam or cold water spray system was used. Thus, for MPB lumber with a low initial MC, the utilization of lower pressure steam or cold water spray during heat treatment represents an attractive alternative to reduce kiln residence time, minimize or eliminate overdrying, and improve lumber quality.