For which of the following process Boucherie process is used?
Timber Preservation: Treating Wood Before Seasoning
Most timber preservation methods are applied to seasoned (dried) wood. However, some specialized processes are designed to treat timber while it is still "green" or unseasoned. These methods cleverly use the tree's own sap and high moisture content to help distribute the preservative.
📝 Detailed Analysis of the Options
(a), (b), and (c)
These options relate to the manufacturing of clay and cement-based products. Bricks and tiles are made by firing clay in a kiln, while cement is produced by heating limestone and other materials to create clinker. These industrial processes are entirely different from timber treatment.
(d) Treatment of green timber
This is the correct answer. The Boucherie process is a unique method specifically used for the preservation of green (unseasoned) timber, particularly for round timbers like poles or posts. The process works by using hydrostatic pressure to force a water-borne preservative solution (like copper sulphate) through the log, displacing the natural sap. The freshly cut log is placed in an inclined position, and a bag or container of preservative is attached to the butt end. The pressure from the liquid column forces the preservative to flow longitudinally through the sapwood, effectively treating the timber from the inside out.
📊 Timber Treatment Methods: Green vs. Seasoned
| Process | Timber Condition | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Boucherie Process | Green (Unseasoned) | Sap displacement using hydrostatic pressure. |
| Bethel / Full-Cell Process | Seasoned | Pressure and vacuum treatment in a cylinder. |
| Empty-Cell Process | Seasoned | Pressure and vacuum treatment in a cylinder. |
| Surface Painting / Dipping | Seasoned | Application of preservative to the outer surface. |
💡 Study Tips
- Boucherie = Green Timber: This is the most important association. The Boucherie process is one of the few methods used on freshly cut, unseasoned wood.
- Think "Sap Replacement": The core idea of the process is to use the tree's own vascular system to replace the natural sap with a chemical preservative.
- Contrast with Pressure Treatments: Remember that common methods like Bethel and Empty-Cell require the timber to be seasoned first so that the preservative can be forced into the empty wood cells. Boucherie works because the cells are already full of sap that can be pushed out.