Sorting Technologies for CCA Treated Wood

Objective To design and implement an automated system to effectively sort CCA treated wood from other wood types at facilities such as C&D facilities

Automated System Designed using x-ray fluorescence technology or Designed using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy technology

Motivation CCA treated wood => ~ 6 % of all wood waste at C&D facilities Amounts of CCA treated wood at C&D facilities increasing At 6 % level, cannot be used as mulch or burned to generate fuel

Sorting Studies Chemical stain method –laboratory results –field results from pilot studies X-ray fluorescence (XRF) –laboratory results Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) –laboratory results

Automated System –X-ray fluorescence –Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy Training and monitoring –chemical stains

Chemical Stains Chrome Azurol S PAN Indicator Rubeanic Acid

Performance on whole wood 0.25 pcf 0.6 pcf 2.5 pcf

Current Practical Applications Sorting Small Quantities of Treated from Untreated Wood Screening Fuel Quality Training Tool

Wood Encountered at C&D Facilities

Design for Shelter

Cost Estimate - Shelter Trident $9,600 - $11,500

Update on Building Tasks & Timeline Current Contacts

Team Reviews Design Building Contractor Develops Design Drawing 2 Wk 1 Wk 4-6 Wks 3 D Building Contractor Seals Building Design Building Fabrication 1 Wk Get Building Contractor Under Contract ? Wks Apply for Permit Concrete Slab Erect Building Timeline

Building Contractors Contacted Trident -- Met with on June 7 Estimate: $9,600 - $11,500 Anderson and Ellis Construction Job too small Bob Howard Construction –Contacted John F. Swift, Inc. –Contacted

Concrete Contractors Contacted Fred Derr Concrete Prestige Concrete John F. Swift

Initial Detector Mounting Design

Conveyor Design #1 Table Wood Piece Movable holding arm

Top View Wood Piece Table Movable holding arm 3 / 4 “ to 2”

Cross-Sectional View X-rays Detector mounting Movable holding arm Wood Piece Conveyor Surface

Cost Estimates – Conveyor American Conveyor, Miami $11,038 Powerscreen, Lakeland $24,500

Conveyor Design #2 Table Holding arm X-ray Wood

Top View Wood Table

XRF Based on emission of x-rays Characteristic x-ray emitted by the element is read by the instrument

Model 400 No special training required User friendly Printout or output easy to read and understand Head Analyzer

XRF Instruments Low maintenance, few consumables, easy cleaning No repetitive calibration necessary (6 mo. to 2 yrs.) Life span of 10 years

XRF Instrument Cost range from $20,000 - $100,000 Detector replacement cost of $1,800 - $2,400 (life span of 5 years) Licensing may be required Sensor protected by a small beryllium window ($100 for replacement)

Results of XRF Studies Arsenic is the best indicator metal, although all three metals can be analyzed for Optimum count time of 2 seconds, would be even less for on-line analysis 1,800 ft/hr for detection of 1-ft board (2 s) 3,600 ft/hr for detection of 1-ft board (1 s) Detection of CCA for Model 400 is possible at 1 inch distance with a plastic shield

X-Ray Technology Analysis Time < 2 seconds Best Metal for Analysis, As Largest Separation Between Sample and Detector is 1 inch

XRF - Collaboration ASOMA Inc (1 inch diameter face & strip model) Jordan Valley (Hand-held unit, 3 in x 3 in face)

Laser Technology Analysis Time < 1 second Best Metal for Analysis, Cr Tolerance, 12 inches

On-line Sorting Technologies

Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)

Sample Configuration of LIBS Probe

Experiments with LIBS Sample 1: 0.25% CCA Sample 2: 2.5% CCA Sample 3: Weathered CCA Sample 4: Weathered Utility Pole Sample 5: New untreated Sample 6: Weathered untreated

LIBS Spectrum of CCA-treated Wood

LIBS-based Sorting

Questions?