Studies of convective drying using numerical analysis on local hardwood
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Date
2007
Authors
Lee, Kok Onn
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Abstract
In wood industry, drying of wood is the most energy extensive
process that incurs a lot of cost and time. This process however is one of the most
important, which enhances the mechanical properties and protects the wood
against insect and fungal attack. Hardwood is one of Malaysia most important
commodity export and present work is focused on Dark Red Meranti. This present
work discussed the numerical analysis of wood drying by convective air using
Finite Element Method and experimental investigation by using heater dryer.
The finite element model is a time stepping 1 dimension model and solved
using Galerkin’s weighted residual method. In this model, air flow is solved initially
in its flow direction to obtain surface condition of wood piece, which then be used
to solve the heat and mass transfer equation inside the wood piece. Parametric
study was then conducted using the mathematical model to study the impact of air
temperature, relative humidity, air velocity, wood thickness and initial moisture
content of wood piece on drying.
To verify the mathematical model, an electrical heater cum heat pumpassisted
dryer was design and developed. Heat provided into the dryer by heaters
and a one horsepower heat pump, which its refrigerant is R-22. Experiments were
conducted using this test rig and variation between theoretical data and
experimental data is within 3% to 6%. This shows that there is good agreement
between theoretical data and experimental data. However for studies presented
here, only electrical heater was utilized.
Description
Master
Keywords
Science Physic , convective drying , numerical analysis , local hardwood