CCA-Treated Wood

Evaluation of thermal processes for CCA wood disposal in existing facilities

Dr. Chang-Yu Wu, University of Florida
Dr. Timothy Townsend, University of Florida
Dr. Helena Solo-Gabriele, University of Miami

This project started on September 01, 2004. The first task was to establish an inventory for existing wood-fired capable facilities in the state of Florida. Two categories were included in the inventory, one being the facilities that use wood as their fuel and the other being those that can possibly be converted to burn wood. The inventory focused on facility capacity, types of fuel used and current air pollution control equipment in each. The inventory will be helpful in making recommendations regarding which facility is best suited to curtail arsenic emission and leaching resulting from the incineration process. A presentation focusing on the research plan and progress of the project was made at a Technical Awareness Group meeting held on 22nd October 2004 at the University of Florida to invite feedback and suggestions from researchers and engineers in the field and FDEP officials regarding the project. The meeting was held jointly with other CCA related projects to allow a broader spectrum of CCA research to be presented to the audience. On November 17, investigators visited the Thompson Baker Cement Plant operated by Florida Rock Industries to gain a better understanding of the processes as well as potential problems and advantages associated with incineration from the industry’s perspective. The research team has also established contact with researchers who are conducting active research concerning thermal processes for the disposal of CCA wood to gain insights into the problems they face and how they deal with them