Analysis of heat and steam consumption during artificial convective drying of oak sawn timber of different thickness

Abstract

In the paper, the consumption of heat and steam of oak sawn timber with a thickness of 25,0 and 50,0 (mm) are analyzed under conditions of classic convective drying. The drying mode is compiled on the basis of data on the temperature of the drying agent (air), the relative humidity of the air and the speed of air movement in accordance with the current value of moisture in the wood. The heat consumption is analyzed in all stages of the drying cycle such as heating the wood, active drying of the wood, equalization of the average moisture in the wood and conditioning, i.e. equalization of the moisture in the cross-section within ± 2.0 (%). The moisture content of sawn timber at the beginning of drying is about 55,0 (%) and at the end of drying is 10,0 (%). The sawn timber are intended for the production of solid wood panels.