Moisture flow characteristics during radio frequency vacuum drying of thick lumber

Summary Thick specimens of two softwoods were dried in a laboratory radio frequency/vacuum (RF/V) kiln in order to investigate the internal moisture flow patterns. The spatial moisture distributions in the longitudinal arid transverse directions were monitored as a function of time in a number of runs. The results indicated that both longitudinal and transverse moisture transfer modes contribute on the overall moisture flow occurring within wood, but there was no distinction as to the percentage contribution of each to the overall flux. There were no abrupt drying front changes and no moisture discontinuities observed during drying. A second group of runs was also carried out using end-matched specimens to study its length effects on drying characteristics, such as drying rate, and internal vapor pressure and temperature profiles. The results demonstrated that short specimens dried faster than long ones at moisture contents above the fiber saturation point.The financial support for this work from NSERC/Canada through a Strategic Grant (STR0167393) and the lumber contribution from MacMillan-Bloedel are greatfully acknowledged.