Effect of wood drying and heat modification on some physical and mechanical properties of radiata pine

To evaluate evolution of physical and mechanical properties due to drying and heat modification, a load of radiata pine wood was selected and properties were measured after each drying process. The results revealed interesting correlations between intrinsic factors and properties; the values of density were highly dispersed after drying or thermal treatment and uncorrelated with other parameters, but the minimum density values were kept constant after heat treatment. Moreover, weight loss (WL) and moisture content (MC) were decreasing proportionally to the treatment intensity, due to wood–water interactions, cell wall changes, and thermal degradation of wood fractions. WL and MC were reasonably correlated with the dimensional stability, improving the dimensional stability after drying treatments, but keeping the same order of anisotropy. Regarding the wood stiffness (modulus of elasticity, MOE), it was unaffected by the drying temperature, and the correlations between MOE and MC or WL appear to be acceptable, and the values of MC or WL did not adversely affect the MOE. However, the modulus of rupture was dropped during the drying process, obtaining three differentiated groups with a decrease in around 59% after thermal modification.     

Moisture transfer and stress development during high-temperature drying of Chinese fir

Abstract

The knowledge of moisture content (MC) and drying stress are crucial parameters to control the drying process and maintain the quality of dried wood. Herein, we investigated the pattern of moisture transfer and stress development in Chinese fir during the high-temperature drying process. The MC in each layer of lumber was separated into bound water and free water via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and the drying and residual stress were measured using prong test method. There was different MC in each layer along the thickness, resulting in an MC gradient that initially increased and then decreased, which is consistent with the trend of drying stress. The T₂₁ peak indicating bound water shifted to the left especially when MC was below the fiber saturation point, signifying that the discharge of moisture became difficult with prolonged drying time. The ratio of bound water to free water was different in each layer, indicating that the moisture transfer was different along the thickness. Furthermore, the residual stress was greater than the corresponding drying stress though the disparity reduced gradually, which suggests that the MC gradient was the largest affecting factor for drying stress at high MC stages but decreased to some extent as the drying process continued.     

Dynamic Viscoelasticity of Wood After Various Drying Processes

In this study, specimens of heartwood from Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata [Lamb.] Hook.) plantation trees were dried by high-temperature drying (HTD), low-temperature drying (LTD), and freeze vacuum drying (FVD), respectively. The dynamic viscoelastic properties of dried and untreated wood specimens with various moisture contents were investigated in the temperature range between ? 120 and 40°C at 1 Hz using a dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The results indicated that the relative storage modulus and relative loss modulus were both the highest for HTD wood and the lowest for FVD wood, and that two mechanical relaxation processes developed. The α relaxation process in the higher temperature range was presumably a result of surpassing the glass transition of hemicelluloses with low molecular weight, whereas the β relaxation process occurring in the lower temperature range was most probably due to the motions of both methyl groups in the amorphous region of wood cell wall and adsorbed water molecules in wood. As moisture content increased, the decrease of relative storage modulus with increasing temperature became more dramatic, and the loss peak temperatures of the relaxation processes shifted to lower temperature range. The difference of dynamic mechanical behavior among untreated and dried specimens reduced with the increase of moisture content.     

Impact of rewetting and drying of rough rice on predicted moisture content profiles during in-bin drying and storage

Accurate prediction of moisture content (MC) is vital for effective control of on-farm, in-bin drying and storage of rough rice, especially for systems using recently introduced technology to automate fan run time. The study used simulations, laboratory, and field experiments to investigate the extent to which rewetting and drying, during in-bin drying and storage, affect accuracy of predicted MC—a critical parameter for automated fan control. Vapor sorption analysis (VSA) was used to generate MC prediction models for rough rice. Simulations of in-bin drying and storage, using in-field weather data, were performed while segregating effects resulting from rewetting and drying of the rough rice and the type of fan control strategy used. Predicted MC profiles of rough rice and drying durations were compared with those resulting from using standard constants in the literature for modeling. The root mean square error associated with predicting the MC by model constants developed using the VSA was 0.54% MC and 1.32% MC dry basis (d.b.), for desorption and adsorption, respectively. Deviation in MC logged by in-bin built, field sensors and that simulated by taking into account the influence of rewetting and drying were generally within 1.5% point difference. Therefore, rewetting and drying did not affect drying duration. However, drying duration was significantly influenced by fan control strategy (p?相似文献   

Determination of moisture content and moisture content profiles in wood during drying by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance

In this article, the low-field nuclear magnetic resonance was used to measure the moisture content (MC) and MC profiles in poplar wood during real-time drying. The T₂ distribution curve at each drying stage measured using the Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill pulse sequence provided detailed information in the dynamic change of free water as well as bound water of the whole wood sample. In addition, a new developed SE-SPI pulse sequence was first used to evaluate the spatially resolved T₂ distribution of the successive nondestructive sliced layer of wood. Combined with the area integration method, the moisture content in each layer was calculated, and the change of MC profiles within wood at the MC above and below fiber saturation point was well reflected.     

An approach for indirect monitoring of moisture content in rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) during hot air drying

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the equilibrium moisture content and to develop an indirect measurement technique for the moisture content (MC) by observing temperature and vapor pressure during hot air drying. The temperature and gas pressure were recorded during hot air drying at several points within wood sample specimens conforming to ASTM D 143 and AOAC, 1990. The moisture content was estimated from measured temperature and pressure. The accuracy of MC estimates was validated by oven-drying method. For validation, nine experiments at different temperatures of hot air drying were run and the indirect measurement was found to provide a good accuracy. The obtained statistics were R² = 82.5%, standard error (SE) ranging from 0.15 to 0.43, root mean square error (RMSE) ranging from 0.16 to 0.38 and mean absolute error (MAE) ranging from 0.4 to 1.1 respectively. It can be concluded that the air in wood was removed completely, especially when the MC was below the fiber saturation point. We have demonstrated an alternative moisture content monitoring method for potential adoption by the rubberwood industries.     

Properties of Colloidal Silica‐Fixed and Propionylated Wood Composites (I): Preparation and Dimensional Stability of the Composites

Abstract

Colloidal silica‐fixed and propionylated dual‐treated wood (CSPW) composites were prepared and their dimensional stability evaluated. The results indicated that: (1) colloidal silica only–treated wood composites had minimal dimensional stability improvement, and they could be propionylated similarly to untreated wood specimens and (2) CSPW composites had a high antiswelling efficiency (ASE) during liquid water or moisture vapor absorption relative to propionylated only–treated wood, and a lower moisture excluding efficiency (MEE) during the moisture vapor absorption than propionylated wood.     

Drying kinetics of poplar lumber during periodic hot-press drying

The drying kinetics of poplar lumber was experimentally investigated as a function of drying temperature (115, 135, 160, 185 and 205°C) during a periodic hot-press-drying process. Poplar lumber was dried under contact (compression ratio of 10%) and high-press states (compression ratio of 44%). Compared with the contact-state, the high-press-state showed higher drying rate and higher efficiency of removing free water than bound water in wood. Eight mathematical models from the literature were established to analyze the drying behavior. The Weibull model, with an average determination coefficient R² of 0.9958, fitted well for all applied drying conditions. The scale parameter decreased with increasing drying temperature and was lower for high-press-state drying compared with that for contact-state drying. Moisture diffusivity and activation energy were calculated according to the Weibull model. Diffusivity increased with increasing drying temperature, with the average value of 1.734?×?10^?6 and 3.313?×?10^?6?m²/s and activation energy of 34.79 and 32.85?kJ/mol for contact-state drying and high-press-state drying, respectively. Hot-press drying created an M-shaped curve of density distribution, with high density at the two surface regions gradually decreasing toward the core region. The contact state-dried wood showed increased density near the wood surface. Both average density and peak density improved in the case of high-press-state-dried wood. Furthermore, the hydrophilic index of wood for high-press-state drying was lower than that of the contact-state drying, and the opposite was true regarding crystallinity index. The hygroscopicity of high-press-dried poplar decreased with lower equilibrium moisture content and higher moisture excluding efficiency, compared with contact-state-dried poplar. The rapid, high-quality drying of poplar lumber through periodic hot-press was more potentially achieved by the high-press-state compared with contact-state drying.     

Dimensional Stability and Flame Resistance of Silicate-Acetylated and -Propionylated Wood Composites

Abstract

Silicate-acetylated wood (SAW) and silicate-propionylated wood (SPW) composites were prepared, and the dimensional stability and flame resistance of these composites were evaluated. The silicate gels had insignificant effects on the rate of acetylation or propionylation of wood. In the presence of silicate gels, the SAW and SPW composites showed slightly lower anti-swelling efficiency (ASE) during water or moisture absorption and a lower moisture excluding efficiency (MEE) than the corresponding acetylated wood and propionylated wood, but the SAW and SPW composites still retained fairly good dimensional stability. The oxygen indices (OIs) of the SAW and SPW composites were higher than those of untreated wood specimens and increased with an increase in the weight percent gains (WPG_siS) of silicate gel fixation. The silicate gel fixation endowed the composites with flame resistance.     

Drying Characteristics of Thick Lumber in a Laboratory Radio-Frequeocy/Vacuum Dryer

ABSTRACT

A series of forty two drying runs of two wood species and two cross-sectional dimensions of wood squares were carried out in a laboratory radio-frequency/vacuum (RF/V) dryer. The experimental temperature, pressure and moisture content levels as functions of space and time are presented. The results showed that western red cedar and western hemlock can be dried to a final moisture content of 15% in about 24 and 32 hours, respectively. The quality of the dried specimens was exceptional- Detailed analysis revealed the absence of internal drying stresses, internal and external checking and surface discoloration. Furthermore, evaluation of moisture content distribution in the longitudinal and transverse direction showed minimum variation compared to conventional kiln drying. The experiments also revealed that RF/V drying rates are directly affected by the level of the electrode plate voltage. Drying rates decreased with time when the voltage remained constant throughout the drying cycle thus resulting in long drying times. That was because of the changing dielectric properties of wood due to moisture content reduction during drying. Raising the voltages with time though, resulted in constant drying rates and shorter diying times.     

Comparing two intermittent drying schedules for timber drying quality

Intermittent drying techniques for drying timber may provide various benefits by improving timber quality and addressing energy efficiency through saving in energy consumption. The purpose of this study was to compare two intermittent drying schedules applied in the treatment of Eucalyptus delegatensis boards, through assessing surface and internal check development, moisture content (MC) profiles during drying, and timber distortions at the end of drying. The study used identical conditions during the heating phase at 45°C/60% relative humidity (RH), except for RH during the nonheating phase (80 and 90%). The results, discussed in this paper, analyzed the timber quality during and at the end of drying. The different RH during the nonheating phase did not generate a significant difference in MC at the case boards between the two drying schedules. The assessed quality of timber at the end of drying was based on AS/NZS 4787:2001. MC gradient, drying stress residual, internal checking and collapse were graded as class “A” (class A is the highest grade and D is the lowest). Bow, cupping, and spring were under the permissible levels based on grading standard AS 2082–2007. Measured data were validated using Drytek® simulation software showing MC movement in case boards.     

Real-Time Moisture Content Measurement of Wood Under Radio-Frequency/Vacuum (RF/V) Drying

Hinoki timber was dried under radio-frequency at 6.7 kPa using two drying schedules, schedule A and schedule B. Moisture content (MC) was measured at 58 points in various locations of the timber using a new in-process monitoring concept. This concept uses the relationship between temperature, pressure, and equilibrium moisture content (EMC). Factors affecting the accuracy of MC measurement were also investigated in this study. The results showed that small wood pieces reached equilibrium at constant conditions within 1.5 h of the fiber saturation point (FSP) and that using the mean value of temperature and pressure within 30 min during radio-frequency/vacuum (RF/V) drying for MC measurement was an efficient method. The accuracy of moisture content measurement was the same for both drying schedules A and B. It can be concluded that air in wood was removed completely with drying schedule B and that below the FSP, pressure in the wood was maintained only by water vapor pressure during drying. It was possible to obtain accurate MC measurement. Above or near the FSP, MC cannot be measured using this method, whereas below the FSP, whatever the MC is, it can be measured practically anywhere in the timber.     

Assessment of new in-bin drying and storage technology for soybean seed

On-farm, in-bin drying and storage of soybean in environments with unconditioned air often result in repeated drying and rewetting of the grains which may have adverse effects on quality metrics; if done using natural air, as recommended for soybean destined to the seed market, the in-bin drying and storage method require operation at well-defined local weather-dependent strategies to maintain the seed quality. This study simulated in-bin drying and storage of soybeans. Different fan control options and drying strategies were used to assess performance in terms of drying duration to target final moisture content (MC), percent over drying, energy expenditure, and drying cost. Fan operation included running the fan continuously, only at night, only during the day, at a set window of equilibrium MC (EMC) of natural air, and set EMC window with supplemental heating of ambient air as an option (EMC-H). Drying and storage performance were tested for soybean at initial moisture content (IMC) (16–22%, wet basis), air flow rate (1.04–5.0?m³?min^?1 [air] t^?1 [soybean]), and harvesting start dates (August 15 to November 15). Simulation model was validated using a bench-scale pressure drop system filled with soybeans with IMC of 22% wet basis. The result shows that fan control strategies, air flow rates, harvest date, and initial MC of the soybeans significantly (P?χ² was 0.88.     

Relationships between transpiration,water loss,and air conditions during physiological drying

Tree transpiration can cause a rapid decrease in the moisture of tree trunk after felling. In this study, the physiological drying of poplar logs was examined as a result of transpiration. Experiments were conducted on poplar trees with and without canopies and where the water supply from the roots was blocked. The effect of transpiration on the drying process and the relationships between transpiration, water loss, and air conditions were investigated. Statistical analysis of the data showed that the moisture content (MC) decreased significantly as a result of physiological drying at a rate of 5.65% MC/day within 3 days, 3.85% MC/day within 5 days, and 2.30 MC/day within 9 days. The transpiration rate of the trees was positively correlated with the moisture loss. Leaf transpiration of control trees and those where access to water was blocked was strongly and similarly affected by air conditions, although the water-blocked treatment resulted in a significantly lower transpiration rate. The transpiration rate and stomatal conductance increased as relative humidity increased and as vapor pressure deficit decreased. When transpiration-mediated water loss occurred, the temperature difference between the air and leaf surface was approximately 1–3°C. The results indicate that transpiration is the main driving force that reduces water during physiological drying, and the main factors that influence this process are the air conditions.     

城市污水厂污泥热风与浸泡油炸干燥特性研究

在120-180℃下对污泥样品进行热风和浸泡油炸实验。结果表明,污泥热风干燥过程中存在"塑性结壳"现象,严重阻碍水分的向外迁移,降低干燥速率;污泥浸泡油炸过程不存在"塑性结壳"现象,干燥效率较高;经热风干燥后的样品热值仅为12.69 MJ/kg,而经油炸干化后,其热值达到21.56-24.08 MJ/kg,是一种高热值固体燃料。     

A study on drying models and internal stresses of the rice kernel during infrared drying

Due to the limited penetration of infrared, it is very difficult to develop an infrared drying model of rice kernels. In this study, two kinds of simplified drying models, which assumed the penetration depth is infinity and zero, were developed to investigate the effects of penetration on drying characteristics of thin layer infrared drying. The results show each model can predict temperature and moisture contents (MC) accurately. The maximum temperature difference of rice kernels in both models was always less than 1.5°C, so it is reasonable to exclude the influence of thermal stresses due to nonuniform temperature. This study also developed the internal stresses model with the mechanical properties from literatures. Mechanical properties were with the changes of temperature and MC. These models were solved with COMSOL Multiphysics and there are two stress concentration areas. One is near the surface of the endosperm, another close to the center. Comparison between the von Mises stress distribution and the moisture gradient was made after the simulation. The maximum MC in the endosperm appeared at its surface, which reached 190 1/m at 110?s, and the maximum stress appeared at the same place, which, a little later, reached 7?MPa at 160?s. Moisture gradient at the center was zero due to the existence of symmetry, while there was a significant stress, which reached 3.2?MPa during drying.     

An optimal operational strategy for wood in batch drying system

A complete model based on the wood drying mechanism and incorporating a multi-period operation was established for wood in batch drying systems. Both energy savings and improvement of wood quality were obtained by an optimal strategy proposed in this study. Energy saving was indicated by the numerical results to be roughly 22.5% for drying of soft wood under the conditions of a given drying time and final moisture content. The gradient of moisture content within the dried wood could be minimized for the sake of enhancing the quality of wood by applying the proposed operational model.     

Theoretical investigation of temperature distribution uniformity in wood during microwave drying in three-port feeding circular resonant cavity

The temperature distribution within wood samples during microwave drying is significantly influenced by the dimensions of the wood sample, microwave frequency, heating time, and moisture content of the wood. Here, the temperature distribution inside the wood during microwave drying has been studied by finite element analysis in a three-port feeding circular resonant cavity. With an increasing radius of the wood, the calculated temperature variation coefficient decreased from 54.3 to 23.5% and the energy efficiency increased from 18 to 95%. When the radius of the wood was 0.8 times that of the circular cavity, the drying process was optimal. The theoretical calculations indicated that the length of the wood also affects the temperature variation coefficient. When the length of wood was more than the height of waveguide, the temperature variation coefficient was less than 40.5% and the energy efficiency was more than 90%. Other factors such as microwave frequency, heating time, and moisture content also influenced the uniformity of temperature distribution. This study helps to better understand the microwave drying process to facilitate its further applications for wood drying.     

Effect of dryer fabric structure on the performance of contact paper drying

Existing measurement techniques have prevented extensive investigations of the effect of dryer fabric structure on contact drying of paper. Using a novel optical measurement method, the moisture content (MC) of paper can be accurately quantified at high spatial and temporal resolution while it is sandwiched between the heater surface and the dryer fabric. To study the paper drying process, an experimental setup is designed to simulate realistic conditions of a typical paper dryer while providing optical access for the measurement system. Ten commercially available fabrics manufactured by weaving synthetic filaments are used in the investigations. The 3D structure of the fabrics is characterized using optical coherence tomography (OCT). The fabrics are used in the experiments to investigate the effects of the filament structure and paper/fabric contact on the drying process. It is shown the fabric structure affects the drying rate and the drying time. Fabrics that have a relatively large drying rate at high paper MC may have a relatively small drying rate at low levels of MC. The contact area and 3D arrangement of the filaments have the greatest impact on the drying process. Adjacent filaments result in larger blocked regions of the paper surface, which reduces the drying rate. The spatial distribution of moisture as a function of time reveals that frequent rewetted spots appear during the drying. These rewetting spots are caused by reabsorption of water condensed on the fabric filaments.     

Study and comparison of different drying processes for dehydration of raspberries

The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare different drying methods (microwave, hot air?+?microwave, and osmotic dehydration?+?microwave) in raspberries (cv. Heritage). A portion of raspberries was pretreated with osmotic dehydration (60°Brix sucrose solution at 20°C for 360?min) and another with hot air drying (HAD) (1.5?m/s air speed at 60°C for 300?min). Pretreated raspberries were then dried by microwave and at three different intensities (3.5, 7.5, and 11?W/g). Physicochemical properties (moisture content, water activity, and drying rate) and quality parameters (optical properties, mechanical properties, antioxidant capacity, and rehydration capacity) of dried raspberries were evaluated. Results showed that the microwave drying (MWD) at 7.5?W/g (50?min and final temperature of 79?±?5.1°C) allowed a high yield of dried raspberries. The combined processes were not efficient to accelerate the decrease of moisture content, due to the low drying rate of the pretreatments. In terms of quality, none of the drying processes allowed a high retention of the antioxidant capacity. However, they allowed an appropriate rehydration performance. The combination of HAD with MWD allowed obtaining a good appearance and desirable texture on the dried product. Thus, this last option seems to be the best among the drying methods tested, but additional studies are required to improve the efficiency of the process and the effect on the antioxidant capacity during drying.