Tree Improvement Program Project Report 2006 / 2007

ut there was a substantial decrease in potential seedlings.
We found no fungal contamination (Fusarium spp.) or
infection (Caloscypha fulgens) in any of the seed fractions.
The liquid separation was not very efficient because the
poor fraction still germinated at 43 percent, although with
the attempt to remove the chitted seed, we expected that
some germination would occur in the poor fraction. We
don’t consider this effort a success, and future upgrading
efforts with seed lots of similar seed characteristics and
quality are likely to produce similar results.
Portion Volume Pot. Trees D1 GC W1 GC G20 GC
CONTROL 96.0 Kg 6.36 M 67% 50% 39%
Upgraded 80.3 Kg 5.48 M 70% 42% 40%
Poor 15.5 Kg 0.62 M 43% 29% 18%
Table 2 .
.3. Eng neer ng Consultat on
for K ln and/or Controller
Upgrades: Project 0 7E27
Dave Kolotelo
The funds for to this project were allocated to two separate
kiln projects:
a) training and upgrades to our ARGUS Control System
b) engineering evaluation of our kiln
With regard to our ARGUS system, we had a meeting
with one of the manufacturer’s technicians/programmers
to better understand the operational complexities of our
kiln programming. We also invested in an upgrade to our
ARGUS software, including some application engineering
time.
To obtain an engineering evaluation of our kiln,
we extended an invitation to quote, and the successful
company was Custom Air Conditioning Ltd. The primary
issues addressed were the inability to maintain humidity
levels and the inability to keep temperatures within the kiln
at the desired set points. A thorough investigation of the
mechanical system determined that:
a) all components were operating properly
T R E E I M P R O V E M E N T P R O G R A M
P R O J E C T R E P O R T 2 0 0 6 / 2 0 0 7
b) the temperature variation was within acceptable
parameters (± 2°F)
c) the burner completely shuts down after reaching set point
d) high temperature overshoot is attempted to be overcome
by venting
e) humidity set points are not achievable over the duration
of the kiln
f) the burner system is antiquated and not energy efficient
by today’s standards
The engineering recommendation is that even with
significant modifications to our existing kiln, we will not
be able to maintain both temperature and humidity set
points. At 21 years of age and without any modifications,
our existing kiln design is perhaps beyond its period of useful
life. The recommendation is to remove the existing burner
configuration and replace it with a packaged dehumidifier
system (heat pump) with the ability to add steam to the kiln.
This is a very energy efficient system and will reduce natural
gas use.
The total cost of this improvement is in the range
of $75,000 to $100,000, and equipment delivery and
installation would require approximately 17-22 weeks. No
other minor changes were recommended, and that is why the
project spent only about 60 percent of the allotted funding.
6.0 Extens on and
Commun cat ons
6.1 ETAC Extens on and
Commun cat ons
D ane Douglas
F eld Tours and Workshops
• Prince George area field tour – Anna Monetta with the
Northern Silviculture Committee (NSC) approached
ETAC regarding a Forest Genetics field tour following
the June NSC on June 22, 2006. The tour was a
resounding success, with registration logistics handled
by Rob Bryce of UNBC and excellent presentations by
Michael Carlson, Barry Jaquish, and Richard Reich.
David Reid and Rita Wagner hosted the tour of PGTIS.
73