Abstract
In this study, we aimed to analyze the kiln drying quality of Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus saligna and Eucalyptus dunnii woods with respect to volume loss. Wood from the three species was kiln dried together with the same drying schedule and conditions in a conventional-temperature pilot kiln. Three kinds of volume loss were evaluated: total - from saturated (initial) to machined (final) condition; shrinkage - from saturated to 10% moisture content; and machining - from 10% moisture content to machined condition. Eucalyptus grandis wood was the most dimensionally stable and presented the smallest volume loss due to shrinkage. Although they had different shrinkage behaviors, Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus saligna woods presented the same drying quality regarding machining and total volume losses. These species can be considered the same for kiln drying. Eucalyptus dunnii wood presented the worst quality in drying, and should not be kiln dried in the same batch with the other species.
Highlights
Drying fast-grown plantation eucalypt wood is a very common practice in Brazil
Conventional-temperature kiln drying is the most common practice among the artificial drying methods used in Brazil
The majority of hardwood lumber and sizeable amounts of softwood lumber are dried to final moisture content in kilns operating within this temperature range
Summary
Drying fast-grown plantation eucalypt wood is a very common practice in Brazil. Wood can be naturally pre-dried or not before kiln drying depending on the company. In both cases, conventional-temperature kiln drying is the most common practice among the artificial drying methods used in Brazil. The majority of hardwood lumber and sizeable amounts of softwood lumber are dried to final moisture content in kilns operating within this temperature range. These include steamheated kilns and dehumidification kilns designed to operate up to 70 °C. The bulk of the kiln schedules available for the various species and thicknesses are for kilns operating at conventional temperature
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