Preservative treatment of Douglas-fir lumber by the passive impregnation method with copper azole

Laser incised dry (mc=18%) and green (mc=33%) Douglas-fir was treated by the passive impregnation method of wood preservation having two different incising densities (7500 and 10000 holes/m²) and dipping times (3 and 12 hours). A 0.68% active ingredient solution of Copper Azole Type B (Tanalith CY) preservative was used in this study. The preservative retention and penetrated area were measured. The total preservative retention varied from 1.61 to 2.68 kg/m³ depending on the moisture content of wood and conditions of preservation, and in all cases it surpassed the minimum retention requirement for above ground use. The maximum penetrated area for dry lumber (mc=18%) was 96 and 88% across and along the grain, respectively. For green lumber (mc=33%), it was 90 and 85% across and along the grain, respectively.     

An economical treatment schedule for boron impregnation of Eucalyptus grandis wood: Commercial trial of partially dried material

Being non-durable, Eucalyptus grandis wood needs treatment with preservative chemicals. As vacuum-pressure impregnation treatment being more suitable for commercial applications, and boron chemicals being environment-friendly for indoor uses, an economical treatment schedule (15 minutes initial vacuum of -85 kPa followed by a pressure of 1300 kPa for 15 minutes and a final vacuum of -85 kPa for 5 minutes) developed at the Kerala Forest Research Institute was tested for its commercial suitability for treating E. grandis wood with boron chemicals. A pooled mean dry salt retention (DSR) of 7.7 kg m ^-3 was achieved for wood in partially dried condition with average moisture content of around 32%, using a 6% boric acid equivalent (BAE) solution. This confirms the success of the schedule for commercial application, as the DSR achieved is much higher than the standard specification of many countries.     

Effect of Carbonic Maceration Pre-treatment on Drying Kinetics of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) Flesh and Quality of Dried Product

A new pre-treatment — carbonic maceration (CM) pre-treatment — was presented in this paper. To study the effect of CM on microwave drying (MD) kinetics of Chilli flesh and quality of dried product, the fresh (control group, CK) and CM pre-treated samples were dried through MD at 100, 150 and 200 W, respectively. CM conditions were optimized by orthogonal test. The drying results indicated that, the average drying rate for CM samples were as much as 150–185 % of these for CK samples. For both CK and CM samples, the drying rate increased at the initial time (a warming-up period) and then decreased at the end time (a falling rate period) after reaching a plateau (a constant rate period). And the effective diffusivity, D _eff, increased gradually at the initial period and then rapidly at the final period with the diminishing moisture content. Elevated microwave power levels could lead to a linear increase in values of D _eff at the same moisture content. The activation energy, E _a, increased rapidly when moisture content was below about 1 g water/g dry mass, which was lower for CM samples than for CK samples, and can be well described with a logistic model. Scavenging free radical capability (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total phenol contents and vitamin C retention contents of the dried products for CM samples were as much as 170.1–190.9 %, 140.2–147.8 %, 140.1–160.0 % and 212.7–682.4 % of these for CK samples, respectively. The CM dried products were also better in terms of colour differences than CK.     

Prediction of the mechanical properties of lumber by stress-wave velocity and Pilodyn penetration of 36-year-old Japanese larch trees

The objective of this study was to obtain basic knowledge for the prediction of the mechanical properties of Japanese larch lumber (Larix kaempferi) on the basis of tree properties, such as the stress-wave velocity (SWV) and Pilodyn penetration value (Py). The values of the correlation coefficient between the SWV of a standing tree and the dynamic Young’s modulus (DMOE) of logs, which were obtained at various heights, gradually decreased with an increase in the log sampling height, indicating that the SWV of a tree is affected by wood properties at the measuring position. A significant correlation between the SWV of trees and the average modulus of elasticity (MOE) of lumber was found (r =0.834). A significant negative correlation between the Py of a tree and the average modulus of rupture (MOR) of lumber was also found (r=-0.859). A high coefficient of determination for an obtained regression curve was found when both the SWV and Py of a tree were used for evaluating the average MOE or MOR of lumber. These results indicate that the average MOE and MOR of lumber can be predicted by using the SWV and Py of the Japanese larch tree.     

Conventional kiln drying and equalization of Western hemlock (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tsuga heterophylla</Emphasis> (Raf.)[Sarg]) to Japanese equilibrium moisture content

Density sorted, matched-samples of Western hemlock were dried in order to quantify the physical changes of conventionally kiln dried wood when exposed to the equilibrium moisture contents of a typical Japanese winter. Physical changes were monitored for 14 weeks by sampling board weight, dimensions, shell and core moisture contents (oven-dry basis) and warp. The difference of 7% in equilibrium moisture content between Tokyo and Vancouver is large enough to elicit a response in shell moisture content, dimensions and warp. However, the responses found should be expected when wood is examined in context of its natural variability. Drying 105 mm by 105 mm Western hemlock to 19% moisture content at the core should be considered the maximum target moisture content. A target moisture content of 15% at the core would balance drying time and end-use stability as the lumber is equalized to Japanese conditions.     

Moisture-dependent physical properties of dried pomegranate arils

Physical properties of dried pomegranate arils and its variation with moisture content play an important role in designing of equipment for storage, conveying and handling. Physical properties of dried pomegranate arils in the moisture content range of 7–28 % (d.b.) were investigated. Size (GMD), sphericity, weight of the thousand dried arils, true density, bulk density, angle of repose and coefficient of friction at different surfaces (wood, galvanized iron and aluminum) increased, whereas porosity, hardness and toughness decreased with increase in the moisture content. All physical properties except porosity and angle of repose were significantly affected by the change in moisture content at probability level p ≤ 0.01.     

Improvement of termite resistance,dimensional stability and mechanical properties of pine wood by paraffin impregnation

Paraffin has been used as surface protection of wood throughout the ages but its use for impregnation to improve wood resistance to biodegradation is recent. This study determined the main improvements on wood properties with paraffin impregnation. Healthy Pinus pinaster Ait. wood was impregnated with paraffin at different levels using a hot–cold process. Weight gain, equilibrium moisture content and dimensional stability (ASE) at 35 and 65 % relative humidity, termite durability against Reticulitermes grassei (Clément), bending strength, bending stiffness (MOE) and Janka hardness were determined. Density increased from 0.57 to 0.99, ASE ranged between 38–96 % and 16–71 % for 35 and 65 % relative humidity, respectively. Equilibrium moisture content decreased from 9.9 and 12.0 % to 0.8 and 3.6 % for 35 and 65 % relative humidity. Termite durability improved from level 4 to level 3 of attack, and higher termite mortality was found in treated wood (52 % against 17 %). Bending strength (MOR) increased with paraffin weight gain, reaching a 39 % increase. MOE also increased by about 13 % for wood with a weight gain around 80 %. Janka hardness increased significantly reaching about 40 % for wood with 80 % weight gain. Paraffin impregnated wood has improved properties with regard to equilibrium moisture content, dimensional stability and density, bending strength and Janka hardness, and resistance against termites.     

Drying of Garlic Slices Using Convective Pre-drying and Vacuum-Microwave Finishing Drying: Kinetics, Energy Consumption, and Quality Studies

Garlic slices were dehydrated by convective drying (CD) and by a combined method consisting of convective pre-drying followed by vacuum-microwave finishing drying (CPD-VMFD). Drying of garlic using VMFD led to samples with high values of lightness and slightly lower values of the coordinates a* and b*. The treatment CPD-VMFD significantly decreased the drying time from 630 min for CD to 49 min and contributed to an important energy saving compared with CD (54.4–86.3 %). The total drying time was shorter when vacuum microwaves were introduced earlier and microwave power was higher. The highest temperature (114 °C) was found for samples pre-dried to a moisture content of 60 % and then dried at 360 W while showing the lowest energy consumption (98?±?1 kJ?g^?1). In general, the total antioxidant capacity increased after drying of garlic slices; however, the content of total phenolic compounds showed the opposite trend, and thus other compounds, such as allicin, should be involved in the antioxidant capacity of dried garlic. Garlic slices were CP dried until 30 % of moisture content followed by VMFD at 240 or 360 W showed the best results in terms of energy consumption and antioxidant capacity.     

Dielectric Properties of Red Pepper Powder Related to Radiofrequency and Microwave Drying

To provide useful information for drying red pepper with radiofrequency or microwave energy and designing dielectric drying equipment, dielectric properties (dielectric constant ε′ and loss factor ε?″) of red pepper powder with moisture contents ranging from 10.4 to 30.8 % wet basis were measured at different temperatures (from 25 to 85 °C) over a frequency range of 20–4,500 MHz with a vector network analyzer and an open-ended coaxial-line probe. The results showed that both ε′ and ε?″ of red pepper powder were dependent on electromagnetic wave frequency, moisture content, and temperature. The value of ε′ decreased with increases in frequency over the tested range. The ε?″ decreased with increasing frequency when the frequency was below 4,000 MHz, and increased slightly when it was above 4,000 MHz. Both ε′ and ε?″ increased as either moisture content or temperature increased, and the increases were a little greater at high moisture and temperature than those at low moisture and temperature. The moisture- and temperature-dependent permittivities of red pepper powder at several frequencies of interest could be described by quadratic models. The results of variance analysis exhibited that both moisture content and temperature had significant influence (p<0.01) on permittivities of red pepper powder. The power penetration decreased as frequency, moisture content, and temperature increased. Large penetration depth at radiofrequencies below 100 MHz could be used to dry red peppers in a large scale, while microwave energy could be used for drying red peppers in a small scale.     

Untersuchung der Packungsdichte in Früh- und Spätholz der Douglasie

In a comparative investigation of Douglas-fir wood density by Hapla (1985) differences became apparent between results obtained by x-ray densitometry (specific gravity at 10% moisture content) and conventionally determined oven-dry density (r₀). One of the possible causes for this discrepancy may be a heterogenous sorption behaviour of the tracheid cell walls within an annual ring. In the present investigation the packing density (r _p) was determined separately for early and late wood in 10 Douglas-fir trees by microscopic linear analysis. A significantly higher packing density (r _p) was determined for early wood than for late wood in the examined Douglas-fir trees. The possible interaction between packing density within the cell walls of early wood or late wood tracheids and their respective sorption behaviour are discussed.     

Investigation of drying characteristics in superheated steam drying of UF-impregnated Chinese fir

Urea formaldehyde (UF) resin-impregnated Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.)Hook.) was dried at different temperatures in an atmospheric pressure superheated steam dryer. Drying characteristics, moisture content, drying rate, temperature profile, drying defects, and color change were investigated. The moisture content was reduced from 66.21 to 11.79% within 30 h without causing severe drying defects; in contrast, the conventional hot air process required 7–8 days. After 25 h of drying, the temperatures at both the center and the surface of wood remained stable. After 34.5 h, the surface temperature gradually approached the steam temperature. The color of the superheated steam dried Chinese fir appeared slightly more intense yellow and red than the control. Investigation of the UF-impregnated Chinese fir wood by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the majority of the lumens and voids, including the microvoids in wood structure, was filled with urea formaldehyde resin.     

Influence of Microwave Treatment of Rapeseed on Minor Components Content and Oxidative Stability of Oil

Rapeseeds were adjusted to moisture contents of 9, 11, 13, and 15 % and treated with microwaves under 800 W for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 min at a frequency of 2,450 MHz and oil was extracted with a press to investigate possibility of enhancing oil extraction yield by press, minor component content, and oxidative stability of the pressed oil. The results indicated that microwave pretreatment of rapeseed could increase the oil extraction yield, and both microwave time and initial moisture content of rapeseed had significant effects on the oil extraction yield (p?<?0.001). Total tocopherol content in the oil extracted by press first increased and then decreased depending on the period of microwave radiation (p?<?0.001), and the initial moisture content had no significant effect on the tocopherol content (p?>?0.05). Phytosterol and polyphenol contents increased with increasing microwave time and with decreasing initial moisture content of rapeseeds (p?<?0.001). An F test revealed there were significant interactions between the effects of microwave time and initial moisture content on both polyphenol content and oil extraction yield. The oxidative stability of oil were improved with increasing microwave time and decreasing initial moisture content (p?<?0.001), and there were significant positive correlations with total polyphenol and phytosterol contents. Therefore, it is advisable to treat rapeseeds with low initial moisture content by microwaves prior to oil extraction by press because it results in a relatively good oil extraction yield by cold press, with a high amount of phenolic, tocopherol, and phytosterol. Microwave pretreatment had a positive effect on oxidative oil stability in comparison to the untreated oil.     

Einflu? von Ethanol auf den Trocknungsverlauf und die Makrostruktur eines Einzel-Zellmaterials aus Apfelparenchym (Sorte Granny Smith)

Ethanol pre-treated apple parenchyma cells are dried in a laboratory vacuum dryer. Various ethanol contents (75 to 95% m/m) and moisture contents (2 to 15 g ethanol-water-mixture per g dry mass) of the cells were adjusted before drying and the influence of these factors on drying behaviour as well as the related structural changes are studied. The initial ethanol content was found to have a significant influence on both, drying behaviour and macrostructure of the dried material. In the case of a low initial value, the ethanol content during drying already drops at moisture contents of about 0.5–1.5 g/g. As a consequence the residual particle moisture consists mainly of water at the end of drying. In contrast to high initial ethanol contents, cells at a low initial ethanol content become strongly deformed on drying. The porosity of the dried material also decreases in the latter case, relatively large and stable aggregates are formed and the water binding capacity of the dried product has diminished on a large scale. The initial moisture content influences the drying behaviour especially on applying low initial ethanol contents. If the initial moisture content is reduced the drop of the ethanol content is shifted towards the end of the drying process. The influence of initial moisture content on macrostructure, however, was found to be small compared with the effect of the initial ethanol content.

     

Phytosanitary treatment of European pallets by microwave: developing a program to ensure compliance with ISPM 15 and monitoring its efficacy on the house longhorn beetle (Hylotrupes bajulus L.)

Microwave heating was recently approved by the FAO as a significantly effective phytosanitary treatment for wood packaging material. According to ISPM 15 (FAO 2009), the target organisms are eradicated if a temperature higher than 60 °C is maintained for 60 s across the entire profile of the board (i.e. 60 °C/60 s). A study using pallet boards was carried out in order to set up a treatment program that would meet ISPM 15 requirements in terms of wood temperature and insect mortality. A 4 m-long industrial tunnel oven (maximum power of 28.8 kW) was used to carry out the experiments. Temperature was measured by means of a VarioCAM^® infrared camera. The most relevant results found were: (i) achieving a mean temperature of 63.2 °C (Populus sp.) or 64.8 °C (Pinus sylvestris L.) on the upper surface of 22 mm-thick boards enabled compliance with FAO requirements (i.e. 60 °C/60 s), whatever the moisture content, basic density and initial temperature of the wood (provided the latter exceeded 0 °C); (ii) larvae >150 mg represented the most microwave-resistant life stage of Hylotrupes bajulus L.; (iii) the mortality rate of the larvae was influenced by the moisture content of the boards. Using the Gompertz model, the upper surface temperature was estimated that would be needed to achieve a 99.99683 % mortality rate (the Probit 9 mortality level of efficacy) for the most microwave-resistant life stage of H. bajulus. This temperature was estimated to be 46.8 and 57 °C for wood with >50 and <25 % moisture content, respectively.     

Influence of moisture content of wood on sound velocity and dynamic MOE of natural frequency- and ultrasonic runtime measurement

This study comprises the analysis of the influence of the moisture content of wood on the dynamic properties—sound velocity and dynamic MOE (considering the density)—of green and dry sawn timber. The main objective was to find applicable functions or factors for the adjustment of the determined properties on the reference condition (moisture content u=12%) for the moisture content range below and above fiber saturation. Therefore, two dynamic measurement methods—measurement of the natural frequency and ultrasonic runtime—were considered. Possible differences in the results, pros and cons of both methods should be identified on the one hand. On the other hand, the applicability of already published moisture adjustments to the given data of both methods should be proved.     

Application of simulation in determining suitable operating parameters for industrial scale fluidized bed dryer during drying of high impurity moist paddy

A systematic approach has been developed for selecting the suitable drying parameters to be used for drying of high moisture and high impurity paddy with an industrial fluidized bed paddy dryer (10–20 t h⁻¹ capacity) based on targeted specific air flow rate and residence time during two typical paddy drying seasons. A mathematical model was developed by modifying an existing model and was simulated and validated with observed industrial drying data as well as data reported in the literature. Comparison between the observed and simulated results showed that the mathematical model is capable of predicting outlet paddy moisture content and air temperature well. Suitable operating parameters were determined for reducing any initial paddy moisture content (mc) down to 24–25% dry basis (db), the safe mc level after fluidized bed drying to maintain rice quality, to achieve maximum possible throughput capacity of the dryer with corresponding energy consumption. Based on these criteria, bed thickness at 10 cm, specific air flow rate of 0.05 kg kg⁻¹ s⁻¹ (for corresponding bed air velocity of 2.3 m s⁻¹), air temperature of 150 °C and residence time of 1.0 min were found to be suitable drying conditions for reducing paddy mc from 30 to 24.30% (db) in one season while the maximum throughput capacity of 15.7 tonne per hour (t h⁻¹) might be achieved. The specific electrical and thermal energy were 0.48 and 6.15 MJ kg⁻¹ water evaporated, respectively. On the other hand, the dryer capacity was found to be limited to 7.4 t h⁻¹ during drying paddy of higher initial mc (35% db). This approach might provide easy and comprehensive guidelines for selecting suitable sets of operating parameters for any industrial fluidized bed dryer at its possible maximum throughput capacity for drying of freshly harvested high moist paddy with a high level of impurities.     

Optimization of microwave-vacuum drying of pomegranate arils

Pomegranate arils (Punica granatum L.) were dried in a microwave-vacuum drier up to a final moisture content of around 5–6 % (d.b.). The effect of microwave power level (25–95 W), vacuum pressure (25–195 mm Hg) and sample mass (65–235 g) on drying efficiency and some quality attributes (color, texture, rehydration ratio and sensory score) of dried pomegranate arils were analyzed by means of response surface methodology. A rotatable central composite design was used to develop models for the responses. Analysis of variance showed that a second order polynomial model predicted well the experimented data. All three process parameters microwave power, vacuum pressure and sample mass strongly affected quality attributes of dried pomegranate arils and drying efficiency. A lower vacuum pressure during drying resulted in better quality products. Optimum drying conditions of microwave power level of 80 W, vacuum pressure of 60 mm Hg and sample mass of 193.7 g were established for microwave-vacuum drying of pomegranate arils. Separate validation experiment was conducted at the derived optimum conditions to verify the predictions and adequacy of the models.     

Effects of size and form of Arthrospira Spirulina biomass on the shrinkage and porosity during drying

In many productions, Arthrospira sp. biomass is dried in cylinders or layers form. Drying involves shrinkage that changes organoleptic qualities and aspects. To understand the change, similar production forms and sizes were convective dried at 45 °C with 2–6 mm initial diameter cylinders and 1 and 4 mm thin layers. Total layer size- and cylinder length shrinkage ratio is only 95%. Thicknesses direction shrinkage is the most significant with 28–65%. Cylinders present anisotropicity and shrink more in the perpendicular direction to the support than in the parallel one. All curves present several stages. The first ideal shrinkage stage of layers goes until the half of initial moisture content that involves lower final porosity by layers than by cylinders. End of ideal shrinkage moisture content decreases when cylinder initial diameter decreases. Cylinders initial porosity is around 15–20% and increases only during the 2nd stage up to final porosities between 68% and 80%.     

Untersuchungen über den Einfluß der Feuchttemperatur auf den Verlauf der Hochtemperaturtrocknung von Schnittholz

Drying tests with 30 mm thick spruce board specimens at 110°C, 130°C and 150°C dry-bulb temperature and 65°C as well as 95°C wet-bulb temperature, respectively, showed that at 110°C dry-bulb temperature and 95°C wet-bulb temperature (110/95°C) drying of the green board specimens with edge grained annual rings (average initial moisture contentH _A=92%) from 70 to 8% moisture content needed 47% more time as at 110/65°C, and at 130/95°C it needed 9% more time as at 130/65°C, whereas the drying time at 150/95°C and 150/65°C was the same. In the case of green board specimens with flat grained annual rings (H _A=184%), drying from 150 to 8% moisture content at 130/95°C compared with 130/65°C took 25% longer, and at 150/95°C compared with 150/65°C it took 4% longer. Particularly noteworthy was that the drying time from 30 to 8% moisture content of the green board specimens with edge grained annual rings and of at room temperature predried edge grained specimens to 40% moisture content, was shorter at 130/95°C than at 130/65°C, resulting from larger excess pressures built up inside the wood; at 150/95°C also the drying time of the more permeable green board specimens with flat grained annual rings was shorter than at 150/65°C. Drying at 95°C wet-bulb temperature proceeded always more uniformly and with minor drying defects as at 65°C.     

Grape Marc Powder: Physicochemical and Microbiological Stability During Storage and Moisture Sorption Isotherm

In the present work, the stability of grape marc powder was evaluated during its storage at room conditions for 6 months. Grape juice marc from Vitis labrusca cv. “Isabel” was dried to 8.8?±?0.9 % moisture content (wet basis) in forced convection drying equipment at 70 °C, crushed and stored aseptically in dark polyethylene bags and kept at 25?±?2 °C for up to 6 months. Grape marc powder was microbiologically safe, free of Salmonella sp., Bacillus cereus, and fecal coliforms. Total phenolic compounds with 1,1-diphenyl-2-pic-ryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging capacity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were stable, although monomeric anthocyanins and compounds with the capability of scavenging 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radicals showed to be susceptible to degradation through the storage period. Moisture sorption isotherm at 25 °C for the powder material was determined by static gravimetric methodology. The sorption isotherm of the grape marc powder showed a sigmoidal shape (type II), typical of food materials. The experimental data was satisfactorily fitted by the GAB (Guggenheim–Anderson–de Boer) model, giving a monolayer moisture content (X _m) of 6.75 % (dry basis). Results indicate that grape marc powder can be considered as a potential functional ingredient with an acceptable stability.