Colour alteration and chemistry changes in oak wood (Quercus pedunculata Ehrh) during plain vacuum drying

The formation of chromophore groups from a phenolic compound oxidized with air and the formation of dark materials from hydrolysable extractives are considered as causes of discoloration. In this work, the colour changes, antioxidant capacity, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra of dust-wood are investigated in European oak wood under different plain vacuum drying conditions. The conductive heat source is maintained at four temperatures (46, 61, 70 and 80°C), and vacuum in the chamber is controlled at three different intervals (60–100, 150–200, and 250–300?mbar). Drying kinetics and temperature profiles are presented. The results suggest that degradation of extractives allows yellowing in wood and temperature improves lightness under these special drying conditions (plain vacuum). Furthermore, the presence of carbonyl groups in surfaces is related to the loss in antioxidant potency.     

Experimental determination and modeling of equilibrium moisture content from the sapwood of Mexican pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus pseudostrobus</Emphasis> Lindl.)

A desorption isotherm is a very important basis in the understanding of drying process. In this study, the desorption isotherms from the sapwood of Mexican pine (Pinus pseudostrobus Lindl.) were determined by the gravimetric method (discontinuous control of sample weight) at 30℃ and 50℃. The salt method was used in the range of water activities from 0.11 to 0.89. The results show that the desorption ability of Mexican pine sapwood increased with temperature at a given relative humidity. The experimental data was further simulated with the models, i.e., BET, GAB, Oswin and Henderson models. The GAB, Oswin and Henderson models allow the representation of the entire desorption isotherms. The BET model showed a better fit for water activity lower than 0.35, with a mean relative deviation of 0.0286 at 30℃ and 0.0167 at 50℃. Simultaneously, the BET model gave a better representation of moisture content in the monolayer saturation region. Overall, the GAB model ensured the best simulation of the entire isotherm, while the Henderson model displayed the worst simulation.     

Causes of color changes in wood during drying

The forest industry operates in a dynamic and global market where change and competition are the rule rather than the     

Physical and mechanical wood properties of 14 timber species from Northeast Mexico

Background  

Thornscrubs are a vegetation type from Northeast Mexico, consisting of 60 to 80 tree and shrub species that are used for a wide range of constructive, decorative and energy purposes. However, basic research of the physical and mechanical wood properties are still needed to establish additional uses and, thereby, increase their value in the timber industry.