Delignification in a cooling tower's wood is primarily the result of which type of chemicals?

Delignification in a cooling tower's wood is primarily caused by the action of chlorine. Chlorine is effective at breaking down lignin, the complex organic polymer that gives wood its structure and strength. This process is significant because lignin protects the wood from biological degradation and helps maintain its durability. When chlorine compounds come into contact with the wood, they can lead to its disintegration or weakening due to the removal or alteration of these lignin structures.

In cooling towers, where the environment is moist and rich in organic materials, the presence of chlorine helps control microbial growth and can lead to the delignification process, thus negatively impacting the integrity of the wooden components over time.

Other options are involved in different chemical or biological processes but are not directly responsible for delignification in this context. Acids can contribute to wood decay, and while alkaline substances can also affect wood, these do not specifically target lignin in the same way that chlorine does. Ozone is a strong oxidant that can have oxidizing effects but is less commonly associated with delignification in wood compared to chlorine.