Abstract
Drying of poplar wood (Populus Deltoides) particles was carried out at different drying conditions using a laboratory convective thin layer dryer. Drying curves were plotted and in order to analyze the drying behavior, the curves were fi tted to different semi-theoretical drying kinetics models. The effective moisture diffusivity was also determined from the integrated Fick’s second law equation and correlated with temperature using an Arrheniustype model to calculate activation energy of diffusion. The results showed that Midilli et al. model was found to satisfactorily describe the drying characteristics of poplar wood particles dried at all temperatures and air fl ow velocities. In general, the drying rate increases with increasing air temperature and air fl ow velocity. A short constant drying rate period was observed and drying frequently took place at falling rate period in all cases. The effective moisture diffusivity of poplar wood particles increased from 1.01E-10 to 2.53E-10 m2·s-1 as the drying air temperature increased from 65 to 85 °C. The activation energy of diffusion for 1 m·s-1 and 1.5 m·s-1 air fl ow velocities were calculated as 27.8 kJ·mol-1 and 50.8 kJ·mol-1, respectively.
Highlights
Drying of poplar wood (Populus Deltoides) particles was carried out at different drying conditions using a laboratory convective thin layer dryer
The results showed that Midilli et al model was found to satisfactorily describe the drying characteristics of poplar wood particles dried at all temperatures and air flow velocities
The activation energy of diffusion for 1 m·s-1 and 1.5 m·s-1 air flow velocities were calculated as 27.8 kJ·mol-1 and 50.8 kJ·mol-1, respectively
Summary
Deforestation and over harvesting from poorly managed forests have brought environmental awareness. Focus was placed on studies dealing with the use of implanted wood resources instead of local forest resources for wood composites production. Fast growing wood resources such as poplar wood are getting more important as a raw material in particleboard and other wood based panel manufacturing. Drying of wood particles is one of the main steps in a particleboard production process. Consumption of a high amount of energy, apart from environmental impacts, makes it one of the most energy intensive operations with a great importance in particleboard manufacturing. Besides product quality, would be highly important for drying the raw materials used in industry
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
