EFFECTS OF MICROWAVE MODIFICATION ON THE KILN DRYING TIME OF EUCALYPTUS OBLIQUA WOOD

摘要

Microwave modification of Eucalyptus obliqua wood was carried out to investigate its influence on the kiln drying time. The modification process resulted in 18.0% to 59.0% reduction in the kiln drying time. The reduction increases with decreasing conveyor belt speed while the effect of changes in microwave power is inconsistent. The effect of changes in microwave power on the kiln drying time is independent of the speed of the conveyor belt used. The moisture content of freshly felled timber varies largely depending on the species among other factors. For most uses, before wood can be used as a utilitarian material, water must be removed. Drying is recognized as a vital element in the value-added processing of solid wood products today and there iscurrently a strong emphasis on improving drying quality in terms of increased drying rate, reduced drying time and thereby reduction in drying costs (Vermaas, 1995).