Dazomet Solid Rods for Wood Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dazomet-based granular fumigants for wood treatment face issues with cumbersome application, inefficiency, and sub-optimal distribution of accelerants, leading to poor handling and performance, while attempts to formulate dazomet rods have resulted in products with inadequate hardness and friability for commercial use.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a flowable mixture of dazomet, a lubricant, and a binder, compressed into solid bodies such as rods, tablets, or pellets, which are designed to be inserted into treatment holes in wooden structures, allowing for precise dosing and efficient distribution of the fumigant without the need for water, thereby maintaining stability until application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If dazomet is formulated into compressed solid forms (rods) by wetting powdered dazomet with water followed by compression, then the product takes a solid rod form suitable for insertion, but the water triggers dazomet decomposition to produce MITC during manufacturing, resulting in poor friability and hardness and potential hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the water from the formulation process entirely. Instead of using water to wet the dazomet powder during compression, the invention uses a water-free compression process where powdered dazomet is directly compressed into rods using mechanical pressure. This eliminates the harmful decomposition reaction that occurs when water contacts dazomet, while still achieving the desired solid rod form for insertion into treatment holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary compression of the dazomet powder into solid rods before any water contact occurs. The dazomet is compressed into its final rod shape during manufacturing while completely dry, ensuring stability during storage and transport. Water is only introduced later during the actual treatment process when the rod is inserted into the wood and water is applied to activate the fumigant, preventing premature decomposition.
2Ease of operation
If granular dazomet fumigant is applied by pouring into treatment holes, then the application process is simple, but it is cumbersome and inefficient with spilling and difficulties in accurately measuring the proper dosage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the dazomet fumigant into pre-measured solid rod units. Each rod contains a precise, predetermined amount of dazomet active ingredient. This segmentation allows workers to simply insert one or more complete rods into treatment holes without needing to measure or pour granular material, eliminating spilling and dosage measurement errors while maintaining ease of operation.
3Speed
If accelerants such as copper naphthenate or copper sulfate are added to granular dazomet, then early fumigant release is improved, but the distribution of accelerant throughout the dazomet granules becomes inefficient and sub-optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the dazomet powder and accelerant into a single homogeneous mixture before compression. Both ingredients are thoroughly mixed at the powder level to ensure uniform distribution throughout the entire batch. The accelerant is then co-compressed with the dazomet into the same solid rod structure, guaranteeing that accelerant is evenly distributed throughout the dazomet matrix rather than being added separately to granules as in conventional approaches.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solid dazomet bodies provide a stable, efficient, and effective means for internal remedial treatment of wood, ensuring a lethal dose of methyl isothiocyanate is delivered to combat fungi and pests, while being easier to handle and apply than granular forms, with the ability to customize dimensions and shapes for specific applications.
Implementation Method 1
When dazomet is applied, it is quickly broken down into several active degradation products. The major degradation product formed by dazomet is methyl isothiocyanate (MITC).
Implementation Method 2
A composition comprising a flowable mixture of dazomet, a lubricant and a binder, compressed into solid bodies such as rods, tablets, or pellets
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are methods of making solid bodies of dazomet for use in internal remedial treatments of wood and methods of applying such solid bodies to wooden structures and manufacturing such solid bodies. The solid bodies can be easily transported and inserted into treatment holes in utility poles, wooden pilings, and other wooden structures, that can deliver a dose of insecticide and fungicide that combats internal decay in the wood.