NONLINEAR FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF COUPLED HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER PROBLEMS WITH AN APPLICATION TO TIMBER DRYING* |
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Authors: | J. Irudayaraj K. Haghighi R.L. Stroshine |
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Affiliation: | Department of Agricultural Engineering , Purdue University , West Lafayette, IN, 47907, U.S.A |
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Abstract: | A finite element formulation and solution of a set of nonlinear coupled heat and mass transfer equations for porous capillary media is presented. The model considers temperature and moisture dependent material properties and can accomodate diffusion of moisture as either a liquid or a vapor. Application was made to drying of timber and predicted results agreed well with the experimental data. |
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Keywords: | coupled equations porous media variable material properties finite element method wood drying. |
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