A THEORETICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF THE CONVECTIVE DRYING OF AUSTRALIAN PINUS RADIATA TIMBER

ABSTRACT

A series of experiments on the convective drying of Pinus radiata has been undertaken at the CSIRO Division of Forest Products in Australia. This paper uses the experimental results to compare predictions from both a comprehensive mathematical model, which includes wood temperature, moisture content and pressure distributions, and a simplified model (two versions) which assumes constant total pressure. From the- simulations, it is seen that both models adequately predict the overall kinetics of the wood drying process. For a complete understanding of the heat and mass transfer phenomena that occur in wood during drying the comprehensive model is necessary. However, it is computationally long and expensive, and as such, does not suit the practical drying needs of the timber industry in Australia. Consequently, the simplified model, which has acceptable computation time and sufficient accuracy for engineering purposes, enables die wood drying process to be optimised from both performance and economic perspectives.     

Modeling of Combined Microwave and Convective Drying of Wood: Prediction of Mechanical Behavior via Internal Gas Pressure

The impact of microwave drying on the quality of dried wood remains unclear. Particular attention should be paid in order to optimize the combined microwave and convective drying process. In this study, a comprehensive internal heat and mass transfer model was developed and numerically implemented in order to simulate and understand the physical phenomena occurring inside Jack pine wood during a combined microwave and convective drying process. The model was validated on the basis of the average moisture content curves for drying scenarios at various microwave power levels. According to the simulations results, an increase in microwave power significantly decreases the drying time of Jack pine wood and increases its internal gas pressure, which increases the risk of cracking. However, compared to purely conventional convective drying, combined microwave and convective drying at medium microwave power and air temperature significantly reduces the drying time and maintains the internal gas pressure at reasonable values. At these conditions, the risk of cracking will be diminished. This last result was checked via experimental measurements of the sample strength dried at different microwave power levels. From this study, we can consider that for Jack pine wood, combined microwave and convective drying is a more efficient technology compared to classical convective drying.     

COMPARISON OF EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS WITH ANALYTICAL SOLUTIONS AND TWO DIHENSIONAL MODEL OF OAK DRYING IN AN EVACUATED KILN

In continuation of a series of tests, the original results of oak drying in an evacuated kiln are presented here for different plate temperatures and for various pressures in the kiln. These results include more particularly the drying curves, the evolution of temperature, of moisture and of pressure in and on the wood. They evidence the pressure and the levels of temperature occurring in the wood during the drying period.

These results also allow the development of two types of drying models a simple monodimensional model of drying curves from the analytical solutions of the equations of water diffusion in the wood and, moreover, a model, in two dimensions, of temperature, moisture and pressure fields in the wood by applying the finite element method. The boundary conditions of the second model can be fixed with precision thanks to the results of the first model. In both cases, the proposed solutions are justified by experimental results.     

DYNAMIC MODELLING OF A DEHUMIDIFIER WOOD DRYING KILN

For the optimum design and operating information of heat pump dehu-midifier wood drying kilns, a comprehensive kiln model has been developed, which solves the fundamental balance equations for the whole system. The model is suitable for analysing the influence of design and control variables on the performance of the system as a whole. To illustrate the application of the model, the operation of a dehumidifier wood drying kiln has been analysed under typical operating conditions and kiln controls. The drying performance has been discussed in detail.     

COMPARISON OF EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS WITH ANALYTICAL SOLUTIONS AND TWO DIHENSIONAL MODEL OF OAK DRYING IN AN EVACUATED KILN

ABSTRACT

In continuation of a series of tests, the original results of oak drying in an evacuated kiln are presented here for different plate temperatures and for various pressures in the kiln. These results include more particularly the drying curves, the evolution of temperature, of moisture and of pressure in and on the wood. They evidence the pressure and the levels of temperature occurring in the wood during the drying period.

These results also allow the development of two types of drying models a simple monodimensional model of drying curves from the analytical solutions of the equations of water diffusion in the wood and, moreover, a model, in two dimensions, of temperature, moisture and pressure fields in the wood by applying the finite element method. The boundary conditions of the second model can be fixed with precision thanks to the results of the first model. In both cases, the proposed solutions are justified by experimental results.     

STEAM DRYING OF WOOD CHIPS IN PNEUMATIC CONVEYING DRYERS

A model for a pneumatic conveying dryer is presented. Although the main emphasis is put on superheated steam drying of wood chips, it can be used for other porous materials as well

The model includes a comprehensive two-dimensional model for the drying of single wood chips which accounts for the main physical mechanisms occurring in wood during drying. The external drying conditions in a pneumatic conveying dryer were calculated by applying the mass, heat and momentum equations for each incremental step in dryer length. A plug flow assumption was made for the dryer model and the single particle and dryer models were solved in an iterative manner. The non-spherical nature of wood chips were accounted for by measuring the drag and heat transfer coefficients

Model calculations illustrate the complex interactions between steam, particles and walls which occur in a flash dryer. The drying rate varies in a very complex manner through the dryer. The internal resistance to mass transfer becomes very important in The drying of less permeable wood species such as spruce. Two effects were observed as the particle size was increased: firstly the heat transfer rate decreased, and secondly the residence time increased. To some extent, these effects compensate for each other, however, the net result is that larger chips have a higher final moisture content.     

DETERMINATION OF THE EVAPORATION OF WATER DURING WOOD DRYING BY MEANS OF HEAT FLUX MEASUREMENT

Since the only measured value that is derived from the wood for controlling the kiln drying process is the mean moisture content, it is essential to develop new techniques for the measurement of additional process parameters. When the drying rate, which could be such an additional parameter, is seen in conjunction with other process variables, conclusions on the instantaneous drying behaviour of the wood are possible. A simple and practical way for determining the drying rate is based on the relationship between the drying rate and the heat-flux for evaporation. A measurement of the heat-flux by means of a heat-flux sensor allows the calculation of the drying rate.     

STEAM DRYING OF WOOD CHIPS IN PNEUMATIC CONVEYING DRYERS

ABSTRACT

A model for a pneumatic conveying dryer is presented. Although the main emphasis is put on superheated steam drying of wood chips, it can be used for other porous materials as well

The model includes a comprehensive two-dimensional model for the drying of single wood chips which accounts for the main physical mechanisms occurring in wood during drying. The external drying conditions in a pneumatic conveying dryer were calculated by applying the mass, heat and momentum equations for each incremental step in dryer length. A plug flow assumption was made for the dryer model and the single particle and dryer models were solved in an iterative manner. The non-spherical nature of wood chips were accounted for by measuring the drag and heat transfer coefficients

Model calculations illustrate the complex interactions between steam, particles and walls which occur in a flash dryer. The drying rate varies in a very complex manner through the dryer. The internal resistance to mass transfer becomes very important in The drying of less permeable wood species such as spruce. Two effects were observed as the particle size was increased: firstly the heat transfer rate decreased, and secondly the residence time increased. To some extent, these effects compensate for each other, however, the net result is that larger chips have a higher final moisture content.     

RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF VAPOUR DIFFUSION AND CONVECTTVE FLOW IN MODELLING OF SOFTWOOD DRYING

The influence of vapour diffusion on the drying rate of a softwood board has been examined for drying temperatures varying from 60°C to 140°C. It is found that for very low temperature drying a model which considers both vapour convective and diffusion in wood predicts dry-rate curves matching the experimental data closely. For high temperature drying, both of the above drying model and a drying model which considers only vapour convective flow give predictions in agreement with the observed data. This illustrates that the diffusion of vapour and air is important in low temperature drying panicularly during the late stages of drying. However, for high temperature drying, the convective flow of moisture vapour is dominant and the diffusion component is negligible. The observation provides evidence for simplifying a drying model for high temperature drying without reducing its credibility in predicting drying rate curves.     

DYNAMIC MODELLING OF A DEHUMIDIFIER WOOD DRYING KILN

ABSTRACT

For the optimum design and operating information of heat pump dehu-midifier wood drying kilns, a comprehensive kiln model has been developed, which solves the fundamental balance equations for the whole system. The model is suitable for analysing the influence of design and control variables on the performance of the system as a whole. To illustrate the application of the model, the operation of a dehumidifier wood drying kiln has been analysed under typical operating conditions and kiln controls. The drying performance has been discussed in detail.     

CONVECTWE DRYING MODEL OF SOUTHERN PINE

A transient one dimensional first principles model is developed for the drying of a porous material (wood is used as an example) that includes both heat and mass transfer. Heat transfer by conduction and convection, mass transfer by binary gas diffusion, pressure-driven bulk flow in the gas and liquid, and diffusion of bound water are included in the analysis. The diffusive mass transfer terms are modeled using a Fickian approach, while the bulk flow is modeled assuming Darcian flow. Depending on the state (pendular or funicular) of the moisture in the wood, appropriate terms are considered in the development of the governing mass equations. The results provide distributions within the material of each moisture phase (vapor, liquid, and bound), temperature, and total pressure. Information regarding the drying rate and evaporation rate is also presented. Average distributions are obtained as a function of time, and compared with experimental data from the literature. It is observed that the total pressure within the material can be considerably above one atmosphere during the drying process.     

DETERMINATION OF THE EVAPORATION OF WATER DURING WOOD DRYING BY MEANS OF HEAT FLUX MEASUREMENT

ABSTRACT

Since the only measured value that is derived from the wood for controlling the kiln drying process is the mean moisture content, it is essential to develop new techniques for the measurement of additional process parameters. When the drying rate, which could be such an additional parameter, is seen in conjunction with other process variables, conclusions on the instantaneous drying behaviour of the wood are possible. A simple and practical way for determining the drying rate is based on the relationship between the drying rate and the heat-flux for evaporation. A measurement of the heat-flux by means of a heat-flux sensor allows the calculation of the drying rate.     

RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF VAPOUR DIFFUSION AND CONVECTTVE FLOW IN MODELLING OF SOFTWOOD DRYING

ABSTRACT

The influence of vapour diffusion on the drying rate of a softwood board has been examined for drying temperatures varying from 60°C to 140°C. It is found that for very low temperature drying a model which considers both vapour convective and diffusion in wood predicts dry-rate curves matching the experimental data closely. For high temperature drying, both of the above drying model and a drying model which considers only vapour convective flow give predictions in agreement with the observed data. This illustrates that the diffusion of vapour and air is important in low temperature drying panicularly during the late stages of drying. However, for high temperature drying, the convective flow of moisture vapour is dominant and the diffusion component is negligible. The observation provides evidence for simplifying a drying model for high temperature drying without reducing its credibility in predicting drying rate curves.     

CONTACT DRYIXG OF WOOD VENEER

A model for contact drying of wood veneer is presented and compared with experimental results. The model is and-dimensional and assumes that convective transport of liquid and vapor is dominant for the drying conditions examined. Model results are in good agreement with the experimental data.

A parameter study indicates that total drying time is a strong function of platen temperature and veneer thickness. The model indicates that the spacing of ventilation grooves does not affect drying rate significantly, but has a large effect on pressure buildup in the veneer. Veneer permeability shoved a similar effect--with lover permeabilities resulting in slightly slower drying, but significantly higher internal pressure.     

CONTACT DRYIXG OF WOOD VENEER

A model for contact drying of wood veneer is presented and compared with experimental results. The model is and-dimensional and assumes that convective transport of liquid and vapor is dominant for the drying conditions examined. Model results are in good agreement with the experimental data.

A parameter study indicates that total drying time is a strong function of platen temperature and veneer thickness. The model indicates that the spacing of ventilation grooves does not affect drying rate significantly, but has a large effect on pressure buildup in the veneer. Veneer permeability shoved a similar effect--with lover permeabilities resulting in slightly slower drying, but significantly higher internal pressure.     

A Comparison of the Drying Simulation Codes Transpore and Wood2D which are used for the Modelling of Two-Dimensional Wood Drying Processes

This study is devoted to investigating the heat and mass transfer phenomena that occur during the convective drying of wood at high temperatures. A comparison will be made between an existing two-dimensional computer code known as Transpore. which was developed by Perre in France, and another two-dimensional code which was developed independently by Turner in Australia. Both numerical codes use a comprehensive set of macroscopic equations to describe the drying process, and most importantly treat the anisotropic behaviour of the wood. The porous medium is defined by three state variables: temperature, moisture content and gaseous pressure and the numerical simulation codes allow the evolution of the distributions of these state variables to be analysed throughout the drying process. The numerical investigation presented in this research work will compare the results obtained from both simulation codes and comments will be made on their consistencies. The influence that the drying air characteristics (moist air and super-heated stream) have on the overall drying kinetics, together with the effect that varying the mesh structure or changing the relative permeability curves have on the results will be throughly scrutinised.     

CONVECTWE DRYING MODEL OF SOUTHERN PINE

ABSTRACT

A transient one dimensional first principles model is developed for the drying of a porous material (wood is used as an example) that includes both heat and mass transfer. Heat transfer by conduction and convection, mass transfer by binary gas diffusion, pressure-driven bulk flow in the gas and liquid, and diffusion of bound water are included in the analysis. The diffusive mass transfer terms are modeled using a Fickian approach, while the bulk flow is modeled assuming Darcian flow. Depending on the state (pendular or funicular) of the moisture in the wood, appropriate terms are considered in the development of the governing mass equations. The results provide distributions within the material of each moisture phase (vapor, liquid, and bound), temperature, and total pressure. Information regarding the drying rate and evaporation rate is also presented. Average distributions are obtained as a function of time, and compared with experimental data from the literature. It is observed that the total pressure within the material can be considerably above one atmosphere during the drying process.     

FAST AND SLOW GENERATION OF A MULTILEVEL CONTROL FOR THE WOOD DRYING PROCESS

ABSTRACT

The dynamic characteristics of the wood drying process were represented by an actuator network and an internal model. These two subsystems are composed of a set of ordinary differential, partial differential and algebraic equations with adjusting operating functions. The formulation of the operating functions is based on interaction between air and the lumber board in a semi-industrial drying kiln. Using this internal model, it was possible to establish a state observer, a state predictor, and a reference model for which the boundary conditions were generated by the actuator network. Simulation results were obtained with a C++ software package. In order to implement the optimization techniques to the wood drying process, the two-level control structure was proposed and tested for a minimum drying time as a performance criterion. Numerical results confirm that the internal model and its operating functions were properly chosen.     

FAST AND SLOW GENERATION OF A MULTILEVEL CONTROL FOR THE WOOD DRYING PROCESS

The dynamic characteristics of the wood drying process were represented by an actuator network and an internal model. These two subsystems are composed of a set of ordinary differential, partial differential and algebraic equations with adjusting operating functions. The formulation of the operating functions is based on interaction between air and the lumber board in a semi-industrial drying kiln. Using this internal model, it was possible to establish a state observer, a state predictor, and a reference model for which the boundary conditions were generated by the actuator network. Simulation results were obtained with a C++ software package. In order to implement the optimization techniques to the wood drying process, the two-level control structure was proposed and tested for a minimum drying time as a performance criterion. Numerical results confirm that the internal model and its operating functions were properly chosen.     

A Comparison of the Drying Simulation Codes Transpore and Wood2D which are used for the Modelling of Two-Dimensional Wood Drying Processes

ABSTRACT

This study is devoted to investigating the heat and mass transfer phenomena that occur during the convective drying of wood at high temperatures. A comparison will be made between an existing two-dimensional computer code known as Transpore. which was developed by Perre in France, and another two-dimensional code which was developed independently by Turner in Australia. Both numerical codes use a comprehensive set of macroscopic equations to describe the drying process, and most importantly treat the anisotropic behaviour of the wood. The porous medium is defined by three state variables: temperature, moisture content and gaseous pressure and the numerical simulation codes allow the evolution of the distributions of these state variables to be analysed throughout the drying process. The numerical investigation presented in this research work will compare the results obtained from both simulation codes and comments will be made on their consistencies. The influence that the drying air characteristics (moist air and super-heated stream) have on the overall drying kinetics, together with the effect that varying the mesh structure or changing the relative permeability curves have on the results will be throughly scrutinised.