Vacuum Drying of Oak Wood

ABSTRACT

Vacuum drying, j,e drying under absolute gas pressure of about 10? Pa. is an efficient means of reducing the process period and of producing good quality wood. We will examine here continuous vacuum drying where the plank surfaces are kept at a constant temperature, which remains above the boiling point, and moisture flowing to the surface is extracted from the kiln.

We have carried out an experimental study of oak drying under such conditions. The drying rate and moisture content profile of the sample (40 mm thick) are recorded during the whole drying period.

A model of continuous drying is established from general conservation equations with the main approximation that the air is rapidly extracted. The two constitutive equations of the model which describe temperature and water content fields are of a diffusive type and coupled through coefficients. The adequate boundary equation is not a convective one, but expresses a hygroscopic equilibrium between the vapour in the chamber and the wood surface. The mass diffusive coefficient can be adjusted to the drying rates through capillary pressure and bound water diffusion functions. The wood heterogeneity (seasonal growth) is the main factor of discrepancy in these functions. The simulated drying rates correspond with the experimental ones.     

Vacuum Drying of Oak Wood

Vacuum drying, j,e drying under absolute gas pressure of about 10⊃ Pa. is an efficient means of reducing the process period and of producing good quality wood. We will examine here continuous vacuum drying where the plank surfaces are kept at a constant temperature, which remains above the boiling point, and moisture flowing to the surface is extracted from the kiln.

We have carried out an experimental study of oak drying under such conditions. The drying rate and moisture content profile of the sample (40 mm thick) are recorded during the whole drying period.

A model of continuous drying is established from general conservation equations with the main approximation that the air is rapidly extracted. The two constitutive equations of the model which describe temperature and water content fields are of a diffusive type and coupled through coefficients. The adequate boundary equation is not a convective one, but expresses a hygroscopic equilibrium between the vapour in the chamber and the wood surface. The mass diffusive coefficient can be adjusted to the drying rates through capillary pressure and bound water diffusion functions. The wood heterogeneity (seasonal growth) is the main factor of discrepancy in these functions. The simulated drying rates correspond with the experimental ones.     

Drying of Solid Furl Particlbs in Hot Gases

Drying of solid fuel particles in hot gases ( 50-200c) is studied both theoretically and experimentally. The measurements are carried out by using a thermobalance reactor constructed for drying and pyrolysis studies of particles up to 30 mm by diameter. The model is based on the solution of the conservation equations for mass and energy. The drying is considered to consist of three successive periods: a short initial heating period, period of constant rate of drying and period of falling rate of drying. It is assumed that the particle moisture distribution is uniform during the constant rate of drying. Shrinking core model is assumed for the falling rate period. esides fuel particles, the model is applicable also for other solid particle drying processes. Model calculations are compared to measurements for wood chips. The model can predict the efFect of the main parameters reasonably well. These main parameters affecting the drying rate are: particle size, particle shape, initial particle moisture content, gas temperature and gas moisture content, emperature of the reactor walls and slip velocity. The irregular shape of practical fuel particles can approximately be simulated as one-dimensional case ( plate, cylinder, sphere) by using an equivalent volumc to surface area ratio.     

DRYINC RATES DURING HIGH TEMPERATURE DRYING OF YELLOW POPLAR

Experimental drying rates during high temperature drying of Yellow Poplar is analyzed to determine types of drying mechanism. Drying rate during the constant rate period and effective diffusivity during the falling rate periods were obtained at dryer temperatures ranging from 100°C to 150°C.

The drying curve shows three drying regimes: a constant-rate period, and two falling rate periods. The constant rate period, where the drying rate is a linear function of time, is controlled by the rate of heat transfer to the wood surface. Both falling rate periods show a drying rate which is a linear function of the square root of time. Floisture migration during the first falling rate is by simultaneous capillary action and liquid diffusion. while moisture'migration takes place by vapor diffusion during the second falling rate period. This occurs when the moisture content of the wood falls below the fiber saturation point. The effective diffusion coefficient during both periods is found to be constant.     

油页岩干燥特性实验研究

以柳树河油页岩颗粒为原料,在恒温介质干燥器内进行油页岩干燥动力学研究,考察干燥介质温度和颗粒直径对油页岩干燥性能的影响,采用薄层干燥模型中的Lewis模型,对油页岩干燥实验数据进行模拟,确定油页岩干燥方程和干燥速率方程,建立油页岩干燥常数表达式。研究结果表明:薄层干燥模型中Lewis模型能较好的描述油页岩在恒温介质干燥器内的干燥过程;其干燥过程主要发生在降速干燥阶段;200℃时油页岩无性质变化,干燥达到平衡时,油页岩含水量可降到0.5%左右,油页岩表观活化能为17～19kJ/mol。     

Drying of Solid Furl Particlbs in Hot Gases

ABSTRACT

Drying of solid fuel particles in hot gases ( 50–200c) is studied both theoretically and experimentally. The measurements are carried out by using a thermobalance reactor constructed for drying and pyrolysis studies of particles up to 30 mm by diameter. The model is based on the solution of the conservation equations for mass and energy. The drying is considered to consist of three successive periods: a short initial heating period, period of constant rate of drying and period of falling rate of drying. It is assumed that the particle moisture distribution is uniform during the constant rate of drying. Shrinking core model is assumed for the falling rate period. esides fuel particles, the model is applicable also for other solid particle drying processes. Model calculations are compared to measurements for wood chips. The model can predict the efFect of the main parameters reasonably well. These main parameters affecting the drying rate are: particle size, particle shape, initial particle moisture content, gas temperature and gas moisture content, emperature of the reactor walls and slip velocity. The irregular shape of practical fuel particles can approximately be simulated as one-dimensional case ( plate, cylinder, sphere) by using an equivalent volumc to surface area ratio.     

Modeling of Moisture and Temperature Changes of Wheat during Drying in a Triangular Spouted Bed Dryer

A mathematical model of temperature and wheat moisture content distribution inside a triangular spouted bed dryer was developed. The model is based on analysis of heat and mass transfer inside the dryer. In addition to that, an empirical bulk density model has been developed for wheat and included in the drying simulation. A laboratory-scale triangular spouted bed (TSB) dryer was used to dry wheat grain to validate the model. The dryer was divided into three sections, namely spouting, downcomer, and fountain. A series of drying runs were conducted to record moisture and temperature profile. There were two distinct regions observed during wheat drying. A constant rate period was observed during the initial drying stage and the falling rate period took place at the later drying stage. Initial moisture content and operating drying temperature governed the timing of transition from constant rate period to falling rate period. The model can be used to accurately predict the moisture content of wheat during drying. The temperature prediction inside the TSB dryer was less accurate, especially at high temperatures due to heat losses in the experimental dryer. Further studies are needed to improve the accuracy of this model, especially with regard to the temperature prediction.     

Modeling of Moisture and Temperature Changes of Wheat during Drying in a Triangular Spouted Bed Dryer

A mathematical model of temperature and wheat moisture content distribution inside a triangular spouted bed dryer was developed. The model is based on analysis of heat and mass transfer inside the dryer. In addition to that, an empirical bulk density model has been developed for wheat and included in the drying simulation. A laboratory-scale triangular spouted bed (TSB) dryer was used to dry wheat grain to validate the model. The dryer was divided into three sections, namely spouting, downcomer, and fountain. A series of drying runs were conducted to record moisture and temperature profile. There were two distinct regions observed during wheat drying. A constant rate period was observed during the initial drying stage and the falling rate period took place at the later drying stage. Initial moisture content and operating drying temperature governed the timing of transition from constant rate period to falling rate period. The model can be used to accurately predict the moisture content of wheat during drying. The temperature prediction inside the TSB dryer was less accurate, especially at high temperatures due to heat losses in the experimental dryer. Further studies are needed to improve the accuracy of this model, especially with regard to the temperature prediction.     

Modeling conventional drying of wood: Inclusion of a moving evaporation interface

A one-dimensional mathematical model is presented that accounts for a moving evaporation interface in simulating the coupled heat and mass transfer during convective drying of wood. In the model proposed, the only mechanism considered in water transport within wood is diffusion. Additionally, the transport of moisture is dominated by the gradient of the moisture content. The controlling equations were established from Whitaker’s volume averaging laws and solved numerically with the finite volume method. The simulation results for the density of vapor and the volume rate of evaporation indicate that the migrating moisture was mainly in the form of gas under conditions of lower moisture content. The evaporation interface moved at approximately constant speed and the evaporation rate of the interface decreased with time. Finally, the core temperature and average moisture content in wood were successfully simulated.     

The Drying Kinetics and Equilibrium Moisture Content of MDF Fibers

An experimental device was constructed to study the drying kinetics of wood fibers under controlled conditions. The device consisted of a drying chamber in which a net basket filled with the fiber material was connected to a load cell. The drying medium was then forced through the basket at controlled levels of humidity and temperature.

Experiments were performed with spruce fibers and the drying medium at varying temperature (50–170°C) and relative humidity (1–86%). In general, the drying rate increased with increasing temperature and decreasing relative humidity. A constant drying rate period was observed in all cases. The critical moisture content was approximately 1.25. The characteristic drying curve has a slight downward concave shape. The equilibrium moisture contents obtained at ambient temperature agree well with data in the literature.     

THE INFLUENCE OF THE DRYING MEDIUM ON HIGH TEMPERATURE CONVECTIVE DRYING OF SINGLE WOOD CHIPS

High temperature convective drying of single wood chips with air and superheated steam respectively is studied theoretically. The two-dimensional model presented describes the coupled transport of water, vapour, air and heat. Transport mechanisms included are the convection of gas and liquid, intergas as well as bound water diffusion. In the initial part of the drying process, moisture is transported to the surface mainly due to capillary forces in the transversal direction where evaporation occurs, As the surface becomes dry, the drying front moves towards the centre of the particle and an overpressure is simultaneously built up which affects the drying process

The differences between drying in air and steam respectively can be assigned to the physical properties of the drying medium. The period of constant drying rate which does not exist (or is very short) in air drying becomes more significant with decreasing amounts of air in the drying medium and is clearly visible in Dure superheated steam drying. The maximal drying rate is larger in air drying, and shorter drying times are obtained since the heat flux to the wood chip particle increases with increasing amounts of air in the drying medium. The period of falling drying rate can be divided into two parts: in the first, the drying rate is dependent upon the humidity of the drying medium whereas in the second, there is no such correlation.     

Microwave Drying of Wood Strands

Characteristics of microwave drying of wood strands with different initial moisture contents and geometries were investigated using a commercial small microwave oven under different power inputs. Temperature and moisture changes along with the drying efficiency were examined at different drying scenarios. Extractives were analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The results showed that the microwave drying process consisted of three distinct periods (warm-up period, evaporation period, and heating-up period) during which the temperature, moisture change, and drying efficiency could vary. Most of the extractives were remnant during microwave drying. It was observed that with proper selections of power input, weight of drying material, and drying time, microwave drying could increase the drying rate, save up to 50% of energy consumption, and decrease volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions when compared with the conventional drying method.     

胡萝卜对流干燥过程理论分析——临界水分质量比

收缩和非收缩条件下,对胡萝卜对流干燥特征进行了理论分析。发现临界水分质量比是试样几何形状、尺寸大小以及热空气温度、速度、相对湿度的函数。在收缩条件下,只有薄片状试样对流干燥过程包含恒速干燥阶段和降速干燥阶段;而圆柱状和球状试样干燥速率从干燥起始就随试样水分质量比的下降降低。数值实验结果表明,根据物料临界水分质量比很难确定对流干燥过程处于外部干燥条件控制的第1干燥阶段还是物料内部条件因素控制的第2干燥阶段。临界水分质量比不是表明物料干燥特性的特征参数。     

Microwave Drying of Wood Strands

Abstract

Characteristics of microwave drying of wood strands with different initial moisture contents and geometries were investigated using a commercial small microwave oven under different power inputs. Temperature and moisture changes along with the drying efficiency were examined at different drying scenarios. Extractives were analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The results showed that the microwave drying process consisted of three distinct periods (warm-up period, evaporation period, and heating-up period) during which the temperature, moisture change, and drying efficiency could vary. Most of the extractives were remnant during microwave drying. It was observed that with proper selections of power input, weight of drying material, and drying time, microwave drying could increase the drying rate, save up to 50% of energy consumption, and decrease volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions when compared with the conventional drying method.     

某些无机盐溶液滴粒的蒸发干燥

本文研究了某些常见无机盐的不同浓度水溶液滴粒在高温气流中的蒸发干燥.发现大多数试样滴粒的干燥过程包括(1)湿球温度下的恒速干燥;(2)降速干燥;(3)沸点下恒速干燥;(4)第二次降速干燥四个阶段,而不是两个阶段.这种四阶段干燥机理可以作为对任何含溶解固体滴粒蒸发干燥过程的完整的一般化描述.研究了某些因素对干燥过程特性的影响;测定了各干燥阶段转变时的临界湿含量.     

微波干燥工艺参数对玉米爆腰率的影响

玉米收获后需干燥至安全水分后储藏,干燥方式及合理的工艺过程对干燥品质有很大的影响,玉米干燥后的爆腰率是其品质的重要指标。利用自制的微波干燥试验测试系统对玉米进行干燥试验,得出了玉米微波干燥的特征曲线及干燥温度特性,探讨了三个主要工艺参数单位功率、干燥最高温度、平均失水率对爆腰率的影响。实验结果表明,玉米微波干燥中按失水率的变化可以分为预热、恒速、降速三个阶段,预热段较长,水分主要在恒速段排出;温度经历了上升和趋于稳定的过程;爆腰率随各参数的增大而升高。得到的初步结论是：玉米微波干燥最好在单位干燥功率0.3W／g以下、干燥最高温度不超过70℃、平均失水率不大于0.2％／min的条件下进行。     

THE INFLUENCE OF THE DRYING MEDIUM ON HIGH TEMPERATURE CONVECTIVE DRYING OF SINGLE WOOD CHIPS

ABSTRACT

High temperature convective drying of single wood chips with air and superheated steam respectively is studied theoretically. The two-dimensional model presented describes the coupled transport of water, vapour, air and heat. Transport mechanisms included are the convection of gas and liquid, intergas as well as bound water diffusion. In the initial part of the drying process, moisture is transported to the surface mainly due to capillary forces in the transversal direction where evaporation occurs, As the surface becomes dry, the drying front moves towards the centre of the particle and an overpressure is simultaneously built up which affects the drying process

The differences between drying in air and steam respectively can be assigned to the physical properties of the drying medium. The period of constant drying rate which does not exist (or is very short) in air drying becomes more significant with decreasing amounts of air in the drying medium and is clearly visible in Dure superheated steam drying. The maximal drying rate is larger in air drying, and shorter drying times are obtained since the heat flux to the wood chip particle increases with increasing amounts of air in the drying medium. The period of falling drying rate can be divided into two parts: in the first, the drying rate is dependent upon the humidity of the drying medium whereas in the second, there is no such correlation.     

Non-destructive Measurement of Moisture Distribution in Wood during Drying Using Digital X-ray Microscopy

The objective of this study was to develop a nondestructive method by which moisture distribution in wood during drying could be predicted. A newly developed digital X-ray microscope was used to measure the moisture content of wood and its accuracy and resolution was evaluated compared to the classic oven-dry method.

Small green wood specimens of Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) were cut and dried under constant temperature and humidity. As the weight was decreasing during drying, X-ray microscope images of cross section were obtained. From these digital images and specimen weight, the moisture content during drying was measured by the two methods. After the shrinkage of the specimen was canceled, the standard error achieved finally was about 1% moisture content within the experimental range. As the image was divided into small subimages, the clear moisture distribution can be seen. It was found that the image divided into 32 × 32 subimages in each size of 0.625 × 0.625 mm might be valid to determine the moisture distribution, and that the drying rate in early wood is larger than in late wood.     

A New Variable Diffusion Drying Model for the Second Falling Rate Period of Paddy Dried in a Rapid Bin Dryer

The objectives of this article is to propose a new drying model for the second falling rate period known as the variable diffusion controlled period that follows after the first falling rate period and to propose a new method to determine the second critical moisture content that separates these two periods. Experimental work on paddy drying at minimum fluidization velocity was carried out in a rapid bin dryer. The effects of operating temperatures (60-120°C) and bed depths (2-6 cm) on the paddy drying characteristics were investigated. It was found that the normalized drying rate of paddy was proportional to the normalized moisture content in the first falling rate period but in the second falling rate period, the normalized drying rate of the material varies exponentially with the normalized moisture content. The different relationship between the normalized drying rate and the normalized moisture content in the first and second falling rate periods indicate that two different mechanism of moisture transport are at work. The new exponential model of the second falling rate period and the linear model of the first falling rate period were found to fit the experimental data very well. Derivation from variable diffusion equation shows that the linear model is the result of constant diffusion coefficient whereas the new exponential model is the result of linear diffusion coefficient. This also implies that the first falling rate period is a constant diffusion controlled period and the second falling rate period is a variable diffusion controlled period. In addition, drying kinetics data of a drying process that fits the exponential model over a very slow drying period will show that the drying process is under the effect of a linear diffusion coefficient. It was also found that the proposed new method to determine the second critical moisture content that distinguishes between the first and second falling rate periods by using a sudden change in the value of the drying rate gradient to a much lower value at that point is more rigorous and yet simpler than the method of determining the specific location of the receding drying boundary since it is based on the behavior of the actual drying kinetic data.     

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

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.