Assessment of a Solar-Assisted Infrared Timber Drying System

摘要

This study investigates convective-infrared drying characteristics of timber. The biggest disadvantage of infrared heating systems is the uncontrollable rise of the surface temperature up to extremely high values, which causes damage to the product. In this study, the power of an infrared system was controlled and adjusted according to the surface temperature of the product. In doing so, the surface temperature of the infrared heater was prevented from reaching up to values that could damage the product. During the analysis, the surface temperature of the timbers was kept at an average of 65℃, while the bottom temperature was kept at an average of 45℃. The air collector used in the system was found to be 50% efficient. At the end of a 13-b drying period, the moisture content of pine timbers could be reduced from 1.42 to 0.0948 g water/g dry matter. During the system analysis, parameters such as moisture content, mass diffusion coefficient, and useful energy rate were taken into consideration.