The modelling of the vapour boron treatment ofPinus radiata D. DonPart I: Model developmentModelle der Kesseldruck-Imprägnierung von Pinus radiata D. Don mit Borat Teil I: Entwicklung des Modells

Two models of the vapour boron timber treatment process have been developed. The first model assumes that trimethyl borate and methanol penetrate timber boards by convective fluxes alone. The second model assumes that both convective and diffusive fluxes influence the flow patterns. Initial simulations of the process using these models show that a number of variables affect the boric acid retention profile. Of particular interest are timber moisture content, timber permeability, vessel occupancy, and rate of evaporation of preservative. The model variables of interest will be investigated in Part II of this paper.