Industrial Implementation of High Humidity Orientated Schedules in the Drying of Young 25 mm E. grandis Boards.

Abstract

A high humidity orientated drying schedule has been developed for industrial kiln drying from green of 25 mm thick young E. grandis timber. Compared to a more conventional drying approach, total drying degrade with the use of the former is decreased from 28,7 % to 12,2 %. Owing to inherent large variability in drying rate characteristics, drying can only be accomplished within a period of seven days as drying has to be extended to be capable of attaining an acceptable final moisture content variation in dried stacks. The recommended manner of segregation of the material prior to drying will, however, largely contribute towards reducing final moisture content variation between boards apart from attaining substantial benefits with regard to both drying time and drying degrade.