Modeling of temperature-humidity for wood drying based on time-delay neural network

The temperature-humidity models of wood drying were developed based on Time-delay neural network and the identification structures of Time-delay neural network were given. The controlling model and the schedule model, which revealed the relation between controlling signal and temperature-humidity and the relation between wood moisture content and temperature-humidity of wood drying, were separately presented. The models were simulated by using the measured data of the experimental drying kiln. The numerical simulation results showed that the modeling method was feasible, and the models were effective.

Second-order difference scheme for a nonlinear model of wood drying process

A numerical simulation for a model of wood drying process is considered. The model is given by a couple of nonlinear differential equations. One is a nonlinear parabolic equation and the other one is a nonlinear ordinary equation. A difference scheme is derived by the method of reduction of order. First, a new variable is introduced and the original problem is rewritten into a system of the first-order differential equations. Secondly, a difference scheme is constructed for the later problem. The solvability, stability and convergence of the difference scheme are proved by the energy method. The convergence order of the difference scheme is secondorder both in time and in space. A prior error estimate is put forward. The new variable is put aside to reduce the computational cost. A numerical example testifies the theoretical result.

External Heat Transfer in Moist Air and Superheated Steam for Softwood Drying

In kiln drying of softwood timber, external heat and moisture mass transfercoefficients are important in defining boundary temperature and moisture content at the woodsurface. In addition, superheated steam drying of wood is a promising technology but this has notbeen widely accepted commercially, partially due to the lack of understanding of the dryingphenomena occurred during drying. In this work, experimental investigation was performed to quantifythe heat transfer between wood surface and surrounding moist air or superheated steam. In theexperiment, saturated radiata pine sapwood samples were dried using dry-bulb/wet-bulb temperaturesof 60℃/50℃, 90℃/60℃, 120℃/70℃, 140℃/90℃, 160℃/90℃, 140℃/100℃ and 160℃/100℃. The lasttwo schedules were for superheated steam drying as the wet-bulb temperature was set at 100℃. Thecirculation velocity over the board surface was controlled at 4.2m·s^(-1). Two additional runs(90℃/60℃) using air velocities of 2.4 m·s^(-1) and 4.8 m·s^(-1) were performed to check theeffect of the circulation velocity. During drying, sample weight and temperatures at wood surfaceand different depths were continuously measured. Prom these measurements, changes in woodtemperature and moisture content were calculated and external heat-transfer coefficient wasdetermined for both the moist air and the superheated steam drying.

Numerical Modelling of Drying Induced Cracks in Wood Discs Using the Extended Finite Element Method

Drying crack is a common phenomenon occurring during moisture discharge from wood,reducing efficient wood utilization.Drying crack is primarily caused by drying stress,and the reasonable methods for determining drying stress are sparse.In this study,the initiation and propagation of cracks during wood discs drying were simulated using the extended finite element method(XFEM).The distribution of drying stress and displacement was analyzed at different crack conditions based on the simulation results.This study aimed to solve the problem of the limitation of drying stress testing methods and provide a new idea for the study of wood drying stress.The numerical simulation results are found in good agreement with the experimental results,thus corroborating the feasibility of XFEM in modeling drying crack of wood discs.The stress concentration was observed at the crack tip region,while a minor stress was presented in the region of crack passing through,indicating that the crack formation process was also a process of releasing drying stress.Further,more energy was required to form double cracks in comparison with the single crack mode.

Drying Characteristics of Wood under Vacuum-superheated Steam

This paper presents comparison and analysis of thermal-dynamic characteristics of air-drying and superheated steam drying under vacuum. The result reveals that for both convective heat transfer coefficient and resistance of mass transfer on the surface, superheated steam drying under vacuum is superior to air-drying under the same condition. With Masson pine as specimen, we found that the inversion temperature really exists through comparable experiments of air-drying and superheated steam drying under vacuum. When temperature is above inversion point of temperature, drying speed is faster than that of air-drying; however, if temperature is below the point, the result is opposite. The inversion temperature of experiment ranges from 80 to 85 ℃.

Study on Wood Drying Properties under Vacuum-floating Pressure

Using Masson pine as specimens, when drying mediums are overheated steam and hot-air respectively, preheating characteristics of wood under vacuum-floating pressure drying are discussed by measurement of internal temperature field and variation of moisture content during period of preheating. The relationship between drying medium conditions and drying rate of wood reveals that, firstly, compared with process of air-drying, time needed to be preheated under vacuum-floating decreased dramatically, meanwhile,the magnitude of condensation on the surface is relatively larger. Secondly, drying rate of wood under vacuum-floating pressure increases coupled with temperature of medium, reduction of absolute pressure,and raise of fluctuation rate of pressure. The sequence of factors contribution to drying rate is listed as following: temperature of medium (t) > fluctuation rate of pressure (f)> absolute pressure (p).

Factors affecting relative humidity during wood vacuum drying

Effects of pressure and temperature in the chamber during vacuum drying on the relative humidity and evaporation of wood surface were investigated by using the vacuum chamber. The setting temperature during vacuum drying included dry-bulb temperature ta, the wet-bulb temperature tw and the temperature difference between the air in the vacuum chamber and the cooling water in the condenser. Results indicated that relative humidity during vacuum drying was affected by the dry-bulb temperature td, the wet-bulb temperature tw and the temperature difference between the air in the vacuum chamber and the water in the condenser. Relative humidity of wood decreased with the increase in temperature at the given temperature of the water in the condenser. The relative humidity was affected slightly by pressure in the vacuum chamber pA, and it decreased from 70% to 65% with pA increased from 50 kPa to 101 kPa. Moreover, there was nearly no evaporation under the vacuum without external heating.

Factors affecting relative humidity during wood vacuum drying

Effects of pressure and temperature in the chamber during vacuum drying on the relative humidity and evaporation of wood surface were investigated by using the vacuum chamber.The setting temperature during vacuum drying included dry-bulb temperature td, the wet-bulb temperature tw and the temperature difference between the air in the vacuum chamber and the cooling water in the condenser.Results indicated that relative humidity during vacuum drying was affected by the dry-bulb temperature td, the wet-bulb temperature tw and the temperature difference between the air in the vacuum chamber and the water in the condenser.Relative humidity of wood decreased with the increase in temperature at the given temperature of the water in the condenser.The relative humidity was affected slightly by pressure in the vacuum chamber pA, and it decreased from 70% to 65% with pA increased from 50 kPa to 101 kPa.Moreover, there was nearly no evaporation under the vacuum without external heating.

Repellent and Insecticidal Activity of Naphthoquinones from the Heartwood of Tectona grandis on Incisitermes marginipennis(Latreille)

Wood is a lignocellulosic material that,because of its organic nature,is a source of nutrients for bacteria,fungi,and insects.Incisitermes marginipennis(Latreille)is an interesting dry wood-boring termite.Because it is an extremely destructive pest,difficult to control due to its cryptic lifestyle,and for its role in the biogeochemical cycle of carbon and other elements;it is a fundamental organism.The use of less toxic and eco-friendly substances is important for protecting domestic,cultural,and historical heritage made of wood or lignocellulosic materials.The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological activity of various naphthoquinones extracted from the heartwood of T.grandis on I.marginipennis.First,heartwood flour was used for Soxhlet-type extractions to isolate and characterize the heartwood compounds by thin-layer chromatography.To identify the heartwood compounds,nuclear magnetic resonance and gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer were used.The information obtained was supported using the Interactive Spectroscopy software.The identified heartwood compounds were lapachol,tectoquinone,deoxylapachol,dehydro-α-lapachone,tectol and tecomaquinone-I.Using nymphal termites of I.marginipennis as a biological model,the isolated and identified molecules were under three different tests(repellent,insecticide and protective)and their biological activity was individually evaluated.The results showed that the molecules obtained have a repellent-protective effect against I.marginipennis,although not in all cases,these molecules have high percentages of mortality and decreased the weight loss of the treated material exposed to I.marginipennis.

Determination of Wood Moisture Properties Using a CT-Scanner in a Controlled High-Temperature Environment

Theaim of the present work wasto analyze moisture flow and moisture content data for high-temperature drying by usingan advanced image- processing algorithm.Since wood starts to shrink below the fibre saturation point during drying, the size and shape of wood will change. The dry wood image was thoroughly transformed to the shape of the wet wood image prior to calculating the dry weight moisture content. The use of the image- processing algorithm for the dry weight moisture content on density data from the CT-scanning during drying in a controlled high-temperature environment showed that this method is a powerful tool for analyzing the moisture flow inside the wood piece. Furthermore, the new CT-scanner together with the climate chamber gave unique results, as it has not been possible to study high-temperature drying with this method before.

Genetic Control of Air-Dried Wood Density, Mechanical Properties and Its Implication for Veneer Timber Breeding of New Triploid Clones in Populus tomentosa Carr

The wood samples of 9 triploid clones of Populus tomentosa Carr. taken from a 9 year old clonal test site were analyzed in order to investigate the genetic variation of wood properties, including air dried wood density and some mechanical properties. The results showed that significant or extremely significant difference in air dried wood density and the mechanical properties existed among the clones, this means these wood properties were under moderate or strong genetic controls and could be improved by genetic manipulations. The radial and vertical variation patterns of air dried wood density were also studied and the results were found to coordinate with other previous research results. The vertical variation patterns of most mechanical properties within the individual tree also conformed to the general wood theories except the modulus of elasticity and cross section hardness. Among the mechanical properties, modulus of elasticity (MOE) and tangent section hardness were under strong genetic control, with the clonal repeatabilities being 0 90 and 0 80, respectively. However, the clonal repeatabilities of other mechanical properties under study were a little lower than above two indexes. Genetic correlation analysis indicated that super clonal selection and breeding for veneer timber could be realized through indirect selection of wood density and form indexes.

What is going up in smoke?——A study of emissions in the wood industry

The requirements that a business needs to consider when building a wood panels manufacturing plant are much the same as they have been for decades, but today there is also the need for multiple environmental studies and permits. These are costly and time consuming additional expenses that often are the longest lead-time items on any project. Most industrialized countries have legislation in place to limit and control the negative impact that emission of pollutants may have on the environment. This paper discusses what is actually happening inside wood drying plants, and the prerequisite conditions for genesis of pyrolytic products relative to the operational parameters, such as choice of input raw materials, driers design and operational regime, choice of fuels for the heat generation and how these factors influence production of stack emission. The characterization of emission condensate by analytical methods is described, and survey of emission control system in use worldwide is described, and means of investigating what may be the optimum design for the control of emission is discussed. Alternate uses of utilizing the condensate, other than burning, are presented for consideration.

Physical Properties and Heat Transfer of Tectona grandis L.f. Wood

Tectona grandis L.f. （teak） is native to the Indian subcontinent and southeast Asia, and today is grown in almost every tropical region, for the physical and mechanical properties of its wood. Also, important qualitative aspects render it one of the most expensive wood species in the world. This work presents a study about the physical properties and heat transfer of T. grandis wood from plantations in C.ceres, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Six trees planted at three different intervals were used--two from each planting density--selected at random and with good phytosanitary characteristics, as well as having representative diameters and heights. The following properties were determined： basic and apparent densities, volume contraction, heat transfer and fiber saturation point. The basic and apparent mean general density of the samples was 0.48 g/cm3 and 0.55 g/cm3, respectively. The mean volume contraction of the teak wood was 8.57%. With decreased levels of wood humidity, loss of volume and planting effects were not significant at 5% probability. Mean heat transfer was 7.3 h/cm and the wood fiber saturation point was 17.25%, below the range found in literature, and there was no influence of the planting density on this property. According to the results, it was concluded that planting density significantly influenced the base density of the wood; the same effect does not occur for the other physical properties, and with respect to heat transfer, the wood was considered difficult to dry.

Analysis of moisture diffusivity of larch timber during convective drying condition by using Crank＇s method and Dincer＇s method

Two analytical procedures （Crank＇s method and Dincer＇s method） for porous solid materials were reevaluated and used to determine moisture diffusion coefficients and moisture transfer coefficients for larch lumber subjected to drying. A diffusion-like equation was used to describe drying process data. The lumber was idealized in the modeling as infinite plates. The moisture transport process inside the board was assumed to be one-dimensional. The macroscopic drying kinetics curves of larch timber at particular conditions were determined experimentally. Based on these data, calculation for both the moisture diffusion coefficients and moisture transfer coefficients by the Dincer＇s analytical procedure were made. The dynamic moisture diffusion coefficients by the traditional Crank＇s method were calculated. In general, diffusion coefficients calculated by the Dincer＇s method were all higher than those by Crank＇s method. These results could be due to the differences between two analytical methods and also different characteristics between solid moisture diffusion process and heat transfer process. Therefore the analysis and solution procedures of moisture diffusion differential equations need to be adapted in the future. With drying temperature＇s increasing moisture diffusion coefficient （D） and moisture transfer coefficient （k） increases accordingly. Also the relationships between diffusion coefficients and temperature as well as material moisture contents were analyzed by using Arrhenius equation and bound water transport theory.

Study on Drying Characteristic of Chinese Fir and Poplar Plantation Wood

The drying characteristic was studied for plantation wood of Chinese fir and poplar, which are typical plantation wood of southern and northern part of China, respectively. Through 100-degree-method the drying characteristic and basic drying condition were gotten, then drying schedule was developed for practical drying, the results showed that the drying schedule is suitable for Chinese fir and poplar plantation lumber, but shrinkage is large. The recommendation was made that enough dead weight is needed to decrease shrinkage in drying process. The drying quality of the two species of lumber is good in conventional drying method.

Corrective Interventions to End-Splitting and Surface Cracking in Kenya Grown Eucalyptus grandis Poles

This study determined the effect of three pole pre-drying handling techniques, on end-splitting and surface checking in Eucalyptus grandis poles from highland and low land areas in Kenya. A total of 144 Eucalyptus grandis trees were sampled from two sites;Kericho, representing the wet highlands and Londiani representing the drier lowlands regions of Kenya. Pole samples from both sites were subjected to the three pre-drying handling techniques for the first 30 days after felling and allowed to dry to the required moisture level under observations. The number of end splits and surface checks on each sample pole were counted and the length of the worst ones was measured in millimeters after every 15 days until all the poles reached 25% MC. The sap wood and heart wood ratios were determined from selected samples. Results showed that on the overall, poles from high land areas had the highest sapwood proportions and similarly had the highest number and the longest end splitting and surface checks. On the other hand, pre-drying techniques that allowed felled trees to dry slowly with their foliage intact for the first 30 days of felling produced the best quality poles, with fewer and shallower end splits and surface checks. The study recommended that felling and leaving poles to dry slowly with foliage intact be considered in reducing losses incurred as a result of wood stresses during drying of poles.