Development And Properties Of Resin Impregnated Microwave Dried Oil Palm Trunk Core Lumber
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Date
2011
Authors
Amouzgar, Parisa
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
In this study the optimization of drying oil palm trunk core lumber (OPTCL)
biomass using microwave radiation was reported. Optimizing of the drying
conditions using microwave could avoid burning, shrinkage and increasing the
permeability of OPT was aimed to develop a new value added material. Drying the
core part of oil palm trunk using microwave was completed in this study for the first
time. A set of experiments was designed by central composite design using response
surface methodology (RSM) to statistically evaluate the findings and developed a
model to predict drying prameters. Three independent process variables including
time (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 min), sample weight (300, 475, 650, 825, 1000 g) and input power
(660, 1320, 1980, 2640, 3300 W) were studied under the given conditions designed
by Design Expert software. The results showed the effectiveness of microwave
drying in reducing the time and better removal of moisture as compared to that of
oven drying with no significant changes. Employing optimum conditions at 6.89 min
of time with a microwave power set at 4 for a sample of 1000 g, predicting 14.28%
of moisture content. The microwave dried oil palm trunk core part was impregnated
with phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin as a matrix using high-pressure vacuum
impregnation chamber. Oil palm trunk core lumber (OPTCL) was impregnated in
different times and compared with Rubberwood (RW). The mechanical, physical,
and thermal properties were studied according to BS and ASTM standards. On
average, the microwave dried impregnated oil palm trunk core lumber (OPTCL)
exhibited higher physical and mechanical properties than dried one. The properties of
OPTCL impregnated for 60 min was slightly lower than RW except in water
absorption and thermal stability which was comparable and even higher than RW.
The morphology of resin loaded oil palm trunk core which was analyzed by scanning
electron microscopy (SEM) showed full penetration of resin into OPTCL cell.
Description
Keywords
Development and properties of resin impregnated , Microwave dried oil palm trunk core lumber