Comparison of Two Drying Schedules for European Hophornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia Scop.) Lumber

Abstract

Two types of conventional kiln-drying schedules (mild and harsh) based on moisture content (MC) were compared with regard to time, drying quality, and energy cost. The results were evaluated according to the classification of the European Drying Group. Proper drying periods of mild and harsh schedules were found to be 550 and 514 h, respectively. Evaluations in terms of drying quality indicated that better results were achieved with the mild schedule, especially when comparing drying defects and final MC. From an energy efficiency point of view, the harsh schedule, by saving 36 h of drying time, reduced electricity by 594 KWh and was therefore found to be $65 more profitable in this trial.

Keywords:

• Drying quality
• European hophornbeam
• Kiln drying
• Ostrya carpinifolia Scop