Heat sterilization times of red pine boards

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the time required to heat the center of red pine boards to various temperatures for sterilization. This information will serve as a guideline for those concerned with heat sterilizing wood pallets and other wood shipping containers to meet heat treatment requirements for protection against invasive pests. Red pine boards, 4 inches (102 mm) wide and 1, 2, and 4 inches (25, 51, and 102 mm) thick, were heated in several combinations of heating temperature and relative humidity. The time required to heat the boards increased exponentially with target center temperature and linearly with board thickness. Heating was fastest in saturated steam; dry air required more heating time. Upper 99 percent confidence levels for heating times were determined to offer practical estimates of heating times that have a high probability of ensuring the center of each board reaches target temperature. Heat conduction theory was successful in calculating estimated heating times when the heating medium was saturated steam.

Citation

Simpson, William T. 2004. Heat sterilization times of red pine boards. Forest products journal. Vol. 54, no. 12 (Dec. 2004): Pages 240-244