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3901. [Article] Conserving energy by safe and environmentally acceptable practices in maintaining and procuring transmission poles ; August 1984
Improved Fumigants After 14 years, chloropicrin, Vapam and Vorlex continue to effectively control internal decay of pressure-treated Douglas-fir transmission poles, but 6 years after application of methylisothiocyanate (MIT) ...Citation Citation
- Title:
- Conserving energy by safe and environmentally acceptable practices in maintaining and procuring transmission poles ; August 1984
- Author:
- Oregon State University, Oregon State University. Dept. of Forest Products
Improved Fumigants After 14 years, chloropicrin, Vapam and Vorlex continue to effectively control internal decay of pressure-treated Douglas-fir transmission poles, but 6 years after application of methylisothiocyanate (MIT) some poles are becoming reinfested by decay fungi although NIT residues remain high in these poles. The closed-tube bioassay, developed through our research, is an effective method for detecting fumigant persistance, and future studies will aim at determining the actual fumigant concentrations detected in wood by this bioassay. A study of MIT movement through Douglas-fir pole sections following treatment with gelatin encapsulated MIT was completed and results indicate that addition of small quantities of water along with the capsules will give excellent fumigant release and movement into the wood. Decay fungi were virtually eliminated from in service transmission poles 21 months after treatment with gelatin encapsulated MIT near the groundline. In poles treated up to 12 feet above the groundline with encapsulated MIT and chloropicrin, no decay fungi could be isolated 1 year after treatment. Both fumigants were well distributed through the poles and appear to have moved laterally from the treatment holes. One of the goals of our research has been eventual fumigant application to poles at the treatment plant shortly after conventional preservative treatments. This would provide predrilled holes for later fumigant retreatment and would effectively protect the entire i iipole cross section. While the most economical application method would involve incorporating the fumigant treatment holes into the conventional predrilling process, it would also result in preservative treated fumigant holes. Consequently we have initiated studies to determine the influence of creosote and pentachlorophenol on fumigant movement into treated wood. Preliminary results indicate that creosote and P-9 penta base oil slow movement of MIT into wood but do not prevent the build up of fungitoxic concentrations in the wood. The new, pelletized MIT formulation has been evaluated in our laboratory assay for wood fumigants. The results indicate that pelletized MIT is as effective as pure MIT on an active ingredient basis. Since pelletized MIT has many similar application and safety advantages as encapsulated MIT, we intend to further evaluate pellets in poles in service. Cedar Sapwood Decay Control The effectiveness of seventeen chemicals (3 oil-borne, 14 water-borne) for controlling above-ground decay of cedar sapwood was evaluated using a modified soil block test and an Aspergillus bioassay. Pentachlorophenol (10%) in diesel oil, currently used for protecting cedar poles, was markedly superior to all other chemicals evaluated probably because of the increased penetrability of the oil, since penta in water at the same strength did not perform as well. Three other formulations, copper-8-quinolinolate (oil), pentachlorophenol (2% in water), and 3-iodo propynyl butyl carbamate (2% in water), exhibited some residual effectiveness; however, more time is necessary to determine if these chemicals will remain effective. An additional five chemicals will be evaluated this coming spring. iii The persistence of chloropicrin 5 years after treatment in western redcedar was also evaluated using open tube bioassays, closetube bioassays and gas chromatographic determinations. The open tube bioassay indicated that chioropicrin still effectively limited growth of the assay fungus, P. placenta. Similarly, closed tube bioassays indicated strong inhibition in the pole interior and lower inhibitions near the surface. Extraction/gas chromatographic procedures detected chloropicrin in all cores examined with the highest concentrations towards the pole interior. Chioropicrin concentration did not correlate with closed tube results, suggesting that these tests are measuring different fumigant properties. The results indicate that chloropicrin should be an effective treatment for preventing cedarbutt rot and may provide some protection to pole sapwood. Bolt Holes Control poles for the bolt hole protection study were again sampled and insufficient decay was found in these poles to warrant evaluation of the various decay prevention treatments. We will reevaluate the control poles this summer. Detecting decay and estimating residual strength in poles An infrared spectrophotometric method of analyzing warm water extracts of decayed and non-decay wood was evaluated with a number of brown and white rot fungi. Brown rot was highly correlated with absorption peaks produced at wavelength 17201cm. Work is now underway to identify this peak to determine if less involved detection methods might be employed. iv Fluorescent labeled lectins, which have high specificity for selected carbohydrates, were also evaluated as potential fungal indicators. Of the lectins tested, wheat germ agglutinin appears the most promising since it strongly reacted with chitin in the fungal cell wall, making decay hyphae visible at very early stages of decay. Evaluation of Douglas-fir beams air-seasoned for 1 or 2 years using Pilodyn pin penetration, longitudinal compression, radial compression, bending and culturing indicated that, while there is a well established fungal flora in the wood, this flora has not yet affected strength. These tests will be performed on the 3 year airseasoned beams this coming year. Of the strength tests employed, longitudinal compression appears promising for estimating pole bending strength and we intend to further evaluate this method. As a second phase of this evaluation, the effect of moisture content on Pilodyn pin penetration was examined. This information is necessary since pin penetration varies with moisture content and must be corrected to compare values from different poles. Pin penetration increased with increasing moisture content up to fiber saturation and stabilized above this point. The moisture content at 0.5 inches was highly correlated with pin penetration, and this depth might be a convenient standard measuring point. En a new phase of the project, preliminary acoustic testing was begun using small beams from poles at varying stages of decay. These beams were sonically evaluated and then loaded to failure in three point bending tests. Sonic evaluation was highly correlated with NOR; however, much more testing will be necessary before such an apparatus can be applied to posts or poles. V Initiation of decay in Douglas-fir poles prior to pressure treatment The ability of basidiomycetes isolated from air-seasoning poles to reduce wood strength was evaluated in rapid tests for toughness by impact bending and changes in the breaking radius of Douglas-fir test wafers. Although some fungi behaved differently in the two tests, the test correlations were relatively high (r2 = O.78S). Of 26 basidiomycetous species evaluated, Poria placenta, P. carbonica, P. xantha and Crustoderma dryinum most rapidly decayed Douglas-fir heartwood, but at least one isolate of most of the other species tested significantly reduced toughness. While the wood decaying ability of each fungus is important, the frequency of isolation also must be considered when determining the overall importance of a species. To determine the influence of wood temperature and moisture content on establishment of P. carbonica in Douglas-fir heartwood, a method was developed for direct observation of germinating spores on wood. In this test, chiamydospores and basidiospores failed to germinate or colonize wood at moisture content below fiber saturation suggesting that free water is necessary for infection. Chiamydospores germinated most readily and colonized wood at 22°C, while germination was significantly lower and the fungus failed to become established in wood at 5 or 35°C. Similar temperature responses were obtained with basidiospores although these spores failed to germinate at 5 and 35°C. Nevertheless, basidiospores may remain viable and retain the potential to establish colonies once conditions become more favorable. vi Exposure of sterilized pole sections at four Pacific Northwest air-seasoning sites for successive 3-month periods showed a significant increase in basidiomycete isolation frequency for the period Nov. '81-Jan.'82. Furthermore, the frequency increased from the northern to the southern most site. Detailed study of the site weather patterns strongly suggests that increased basidiomycetous infection can be related to number of days with measurable rain fall and temperatures conducive to fungal growth. During the other periods studied, temperature or precipitation conditions were unfavorable for infection and pole section moisture contents fell below fiber saturation. This in turn limited spore germination and fungal colonization of the wood. About 30 different basidiomycetous species have been identified from isolates cultured from sterilized pole sections exposed at the four sites. In general, the species were the same as those isolated form air-seasoning poles although there were some significant differences between the species obtained from the different sites. The frequency of P. placenta mono- and dikaryons was particularly high with monokaryons more abundant at three of the four locations. Individual species exhibited distinct colonization patterns from different pole zones. For example, P. placenta was isolated most frequently from heartwood exposed at the pole ends while Peniophora spp. and llaemotostereum sanguinolentum were recovered most frequently from the upper surfaces of the pole sections. vii Preventing infection of poles by decay fungi during air-seasoning Pole sections treated with ammonium bifluoride (NH4HF2) or gelatin encapsulated MIT and chioropicrin were extensively sampled after air seasoning to determine the influence of these chemicals on wood colonization by decay fungi. Preliminary results indicate that after 2 years NH4HF2 and the fumigants significantly reduced basidiomycetous colonization of sterile wood. Surface Decay Poles treated with Vapam 14 years ago were extensively cored, the cores were cultured and the resulting fungi were identified to evaluate the fungal flora of fumigant treated wood. A well developed fungal flora was identified that differed from that found in nonfumigant treated wood. These fungi will be further evaluated to determine their role in fumigant effectiveness.
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This fifth annual Cooperative Pole Research Program report outlines our progress in the six project objectives. Improved Fumigants Sampling of previously established field tests revealed that Vorlex and ...
Citation Citation
- Title:
- Conserving energy by safe and environmentally acceptable practices in maintaining and procuring transmission poles for long service ; August 1985
- Author:
- Oregon State University, Oregon State University. Dept. of Forest Products
This fifth annual Cooperative Pole Research Program report outlines our progress in the six project objectives. Improved Fumigants Sampling of previously established field tests revealed that Vorlex and Chloropicrin continued to perform well after 15 years, while Vapam was slightly less effective. Solid methylisothiocyanate (MIT) also performed well in the field after 7 years. In additional tests, gelatin encapsulated MIT migrated through Douglas-fir heartwood with addition of moderate quantities of water to degrade the gelatin. However, in the presence of higher quantities of water or no additional water, MIT migration into the wood was slowed. In a previously established test, gelatin encapsulated MIT continues to inhibit reinfestation of poles 3 years after treatment. Pelletized MIT is a new formulation (65% active ingredient) that appears to have some promise. Preliminary tests indicate that up to 95% of the MIT is release in 24 hours, but a small quantity of MIT remains in the pellets after 63 days aeration and may pose a disposal hazard. The solid MIT formulations will permit aboveground applications, increasing the risk that MIT will come in contact with pole hardware. Preliminary tests indicate that MIT had little effect on corrosion of hot dipped, galvanized bolts attached to wood. This suggests that treatment in the crossarm zone with MIT or fumigants that produce MIT should not affect the integrity of attached hardware. i-i In addition to fumigant evaluations, we recently examined an earlier test of groundline treatments with Osmoplastic® and Hollowheart®. After 10 years, these treatments are performing reasonably well, with only a slight rise in the incidence of decay fungi in the past 4 years. We also reevaluated the effectiveness of kerfing for preventing decay and found that this process reduced the depth and width of checks, resulting in a decreased incidence of decay fungi. Kerfing appears to be a valuable method for preventing internal decay at the groundline. Cedar Sapwood Decay Control This past year, the second set of five chemicals applied to control sapwood decay were evaluated after 2 years of exposure. As in earlier evaluations using the Aspergillus bioassay, none of the chemicals approach pentachlorophenol in oil for ability to inhibit sporulation of Aspergillus niger; however, several samples from zones deep in the wood produced a slight zone of effect. This may indicate the presence of a reservoir for long-term protection against decay. Several of the chemicals including Fluor Chrome Arsenic Phenol and Ammoniacal Copper Arsenate (ACA) appear to bind to the wood and may be difficult to detect by the bioassay method. We expect to assess the effectiveness of these treatments using a soil block test. Investigations of the reliability of the Aspergillus bioassay under a variety of conditions indicated that quantity of spores, use of glass or plastic petri dishes, long-term cold storage, and the use of spray inoculum instead of flooding spores had little influence on the bioassay results with pentachiorophenol, Tributyl-tinoxide, or 3 iodo propynyl butylcarbamate; however, incubation temperature did influence assay results. The Aspergillus bioassay is a simple, effective means for estimating residual preservative levels. Bolt Holes Again this year, wood around the unprotected, control bolt holes in pole sections contained such low levels of decay fungi that evaluation of the treated poles will be delayed another year. In addition to the initial bolt hole treatments, we have begun a test to determine if gelatin encapsulated or pelletized MIT can prevent decay development in field-drilled bolt holes. The pole sections used in these tests had already begun to develop decay prior to treatment and will provide an ideal test material. Detecting Decay and Estimatin& Residual Strength of Poles Fluorescent labeled lectins used in our earlier studies detected decay fungi at low weight losses under laboratory conditions. We are currently evaluating this method for detecting fungi in increment cores removed from poles to reduce the need for culturing. Last year we identified a peak that was unique to infrared (IR) spectra of warm water extracts from decayed wood. This past year we attempted to identify the chemical responsible for this peak and found that carbonyl compounds, probably from oxidative lignin degradation, were responsible for the peak. Since brown rot fungi apparently do iv not completely metabolize lignin breakdown products, they accumulate in the decaying wood and can be readily detected by their IR spectra. Strength properties of beams cut front Douglas-fir pole sections, air-seasoned for 3 years significantly decreased although decay fungi could not be uniformly isolated from the beams. In addition, there were gradual declines in work to maximum load and modulus of elasticity, as well as increased Pilodyn pin penetration. These results suggest that some strength losses occurred during air-seasoning; however, the losses were not large and should not endanger pole users. We compared several test methods including the Pilodyn, radial compression tests, longitudinal compression tests, and the pick test for evaluating residual pole strength of the wood surface of Douglas-fir treated with combinations of funtigants or groundline wraps. The results indicate that only the pick test could accurately detect surface damage and illustrate the difficulty of detecting surface damage. This past year we evaluated several sections cut from ACA treated poles stored for a number of years to determine if they were worth salvaging. Static bending tests of beams cut from the ACA treated zone, the treated/untreated boundary, and the inner heartwood revealed ACA treated sapwood had lower MOR and longitudinal compression strength than the other zones. These results represent only a small sample, but they suggest that some strength loss occurs during ACA V treatments. More importantly, the results suggest that we could have reliably predicted beam MOR by testing small plugs removed from the poles. Small beams cut from decaying, pentachlorophenol treated Douglas-fir poles were acoustically tested for residual wood strength, then evaluated to failure in static bending. The acoustic test consisted of sending a pulsed sonic wave into the wood and recording this wave after it passed through the beam. As it moved, the wave was altered by the presence of any wood defects or decay, and these alterations create a "fingerprint" specific for that defect. Preliminary results indicated that signal analysis was highly 2 2 correlated with work to maximum load (r =.82) and MOR (r .88), suggesting that this approach to decay detection may prove more reliable than measuring of sound velocity. Initiation of Decay in Air-Seasoning Douglas-fir The results of the initial survey to determine the incidence of decay fungi in poles from widely scattered Pacific Northwest seasoning yards indicated that a variety of fungi were colonizing the wood. While most of these fungi do not pose a serious decay problem, two species, Poria carbonica and Poria placenta, became increasingly abundant with length of air-seasoning. These fungi are also the most conunon decayers of Douglas-fir poles in service. As expected, the number of fungi and the wood volume they occupied increased with seasoning time; however, this incidence varied considerably between yards, especially in poles air-seasoned for vi shorter time periods. In addition to the variation between sites, many of the decay fungi colonizing the wood appear to be monokaryons, indicating that spores landing on the wood are initiating the infestation. The distribution of fungi within the poles indicated that several of the more abundant decay fungi were present in the outer sapwood where they would be eliminated by conventional pressure treatment. The remaining fungi were most abundant in the heartwood but were more concentrated near the pole end. This suggests that exposed end grain was more readily invaded than lateral grain exposed in checks. In addition to identifying the fungi colonizing Douglas-fir, we examined the effects these fungi had on wood strength. Toughness tests indicated the presence of wide variation in decay capability of the isolates. Although there was no consistent pattern, most of the isolates did not cause substantial decay and, of those that did, only . carbonica and P. placenta were sufficiently abundant to have a large influence on wood strength. Due to the prevalence of P. carbonica and P. placenta in the inner heartwood, where they might not be eliminated in a short heating cycle, we evaluated the temperature tolerance of these two fungi in Douglas-fir heartwood blocks. These tests indicated that both fungi were eliminated by exposure to temperatures above 71°C for over 1 hour or 60°C for 2 hours. The results suggest that careful control of temperature during treatment should eliminate decay fungi and that wood treated at ambient temperatures should be heated to kill fungi that become established during air-seasoning. vii This past year was the third and final year of the decay development study. In this study, sterile pole sections have been exposed for 1, 2, or 3 years at widely scattered Pacific Northwest sites, then returned to the laboratory and extensively sampled. We are now in the process of identifying the fungi from the third year poles. In addition to examining poles prior to preservative treatment, we are also evaluating poles treated with waterborne chemicals (ACA or CCA) for the incidence of surface decay. This past year we examined twenty ACA-treated poles from a line installed in 1946. While a variety of fungi were cultured from the wood, none of the poles had evidence of substantial surface deterioration. A study was initiated on the fungal flora of fumigant treated wood because of the potential for fungi developing resistance to low levels of fumigant or the ability to actively degrade the chemical. Both of these developments could shorten fumigant retreatment cycles and increase maintenance costs. We have evaluated poles treated 7 and 15 years ago with fumigants and find markedly reduced fungal flora. Tests are continuing on the fungi isolated, and we hope to assess the effects of these isolates on long-term fumigant effectiveness.