Modeling of simultaneous three-dimensional leaching and chemical reaction of CCA components in unfixed wood exposed to water

The leaching of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) components from unfixed wood immersed in water is modeled in three dimensions using an analytical model of simultaneous diffusion and reaction. Parameters for the model were determined by laboratory leaching experiments with small uncoated wood samples, departing from previous approaches where diffusion coefficients are measured in one dimension at a time. The diffusion coefficients and reaction rate constants of Cr⁶⁺, total Cr, Cu, and As in unfixed CCA-treated red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) and southern pine (Pinus sp.) were estimated, assuming first-order reaction rate equations and independent Fickian diffusion for all components. Estimated reaction rate constants and diffusion coefficients were not significantly affected by sample dimensions except for very severe longitudinal leaching from short samples. The predictive ability of the model using diffusion coefficients determined from immersion of small lab samples was evaluated by leaching experiments in a spray booth of southern pine lumber at 21 and 60°C, and red pine pole sections at 21°C. The predictive ability of the model was mixed, but in all cases represents a significant improvement over small-block leaching models which do not account for the diffusive nature of the leaching process.