Drying kinetics in Eucalyptus urophylla wood: analysis of anisotropy and region of the stem

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the drying in Eucalyptus wood in different directions and regions. Flow rates of free (FRFW), bound (FRBW), and total water were calculated in three directions. FRFW in the transversal direction demonstrated higher rates for the internal region. FRFW in the longitudinal direction was 1.7 times higher than in radial and 2.4 times higher than in tangential. FRBW in the tangential and radial directions was equal. FRFW was ∼14 times higher than FRBW. Correlations between FRFW and FRBW were inversely proportional. The results can help in the drying optimization of Eucalyptus and indicate parameters for its use in industries.

Keywords:

• Free water
• bound water
• desorption
• wood directions
• hardwood
• juvenile wood

SUBJECT CLASSIFICATION CODES:

• Material science aspects of drying
• Transport phenomena in porous media

Disclosure statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Authors’ contributions

Conceived and designed the experiments: T.C.M., J.T.L., P.R.G.H., and J.R.M.S.; Performed the experiments: T.C.M. and R.A.N.; Analyzed the data: T.C.M., J.T.L., P.R.G.H., and L.R.; Contributed materials/analysis tools: J.R.M.S. and R.A.N.; Wrote the paper: T.C.M., J.T.L., P.R.G.H., R.A.N., and L.R.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Vallourec Florestal Ltda.