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Comparative Studies of Wood Seasoning with a Special Reference to Solar Drying

M. A. Sattar
Director (Ex.)
Seasoning & Timber Physics Division, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Chittagong.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A series of charge of twenty timber species were dried employing solar drying as well as the conventional air drying and steam heated kiln drying methods. Solar and air drying were continued for three years during the entire drying seasons. The results suggest that the climatic conditions of Bangladesh are suitable for operating greenhouse type solar kilns throughout the year. Even refractory timber of higher dimensions can be dried during the rainy season to desired lower moisture content. The quality of the solar dried timber is found to be superior to both air and kiln dried timber. Solar drying is significantly more efficient than air drying. It is a simpler and less expensive drying technique than kiln drying. It is recommended that the solar drying technique be employed in wood based industries for effective utilization of Bangladeshi timber.

Keywords: Comparative studies, Wood seasoning, Solar drying

Location: BFRI

Start Date: 00-00-0000

End Date: 00-00-0000

Program Area: Postharvest and Agro-processing

Commodity: Wood

Objectives:

To evaluate the results of drying timber in the experimental solar kiln at BFRI

Methodology:

Twenty indigenous timber species of different dimensions were used for the study. Planks of 2.5 cm ´ 20 cm size of ten species, viz., chapalish (Artocarpus chaplasha), toon (Toona ciliata), teak (Tectoda grandis), champa (Michelia champaca), chickrassi (Chukrassia velutina), korci (Albizia procera), garjan (Dipterocarpus spp.), jam (Syzygium grande), jarul (Lagerstroemia speciesa) and gamar (Gmelina arborea) were selected from the species used for furniture and construction purposes. Logs of these species were produced from BFIDC timber depot at Kaptai and were converted into size at the BFRI sawmill prior to each charge of drying. Battens of 3.8 cm ´ 7.6 cm of five species, viz., tali (Palaquium polyanthum), kamdeb (Callophylum polyanthum), pitraj (Aphanamixis polystachya), bhadi (Lannea coromandelica) and gutguttya (Bursera serreta) were selected from the species used for flushdoors. Freshly sawn battens procured from a BFIDC project at Kalurghat, Chittagong, where the battens of these species were also dried in a solar kiln. Battens of 2.0 cm ´ 2.0 cm of three species, viz., mango (Mangifera sp.), uriam (Manifera sylvatica) and civit (Swintonia floribunda) were selected from the species used for making teachest. Logs of these species were procured from the timber depot at Kaptai and were converted into size prior to drying. Blanks of 5.7 cm ´ 7.6 cm of two species, viz., batna (Quercus spp.) and babla (Acacia nilotica) were selected form the species used for making shuttles. Sized timber in green condition was procured from a private wood industry at Chittagong, where these planks were dried in a solar kiln for making shuttles. The blanks were submerged in a small water tank for saturation and were removed from the tank prior to drying.

All the timber were dried in the 3.5 m³ capacity solar kiln developed at the Institute. The solar kiln was of greenhouse type. All the walls were of 0.25 mm thick transparent polythene sheet and the roof was made of 6 mm glass. The concrete floor was covered with a layer of black polythene sheet. Six representative 2.5 cm ´ 20 cm planks and 3.8 cm ´ 7.6 cm battens, and fifty 2.0 cm ´ 2.0 cm battens and 5.0 cm ´ 7.6 cm blanks were selected as samples for each species in each charge.Two strips measuring 2.5 cm thick were cut from 15.0 cm apart from both ends of the samples for the determination of initial moisture content by the oven drying method. The samples were end coated with bituminous paint immediately after cutting the moisture sections. Based on the initial moisture content, the calculated oven dry weight of each sample was determined. The progress of drying was ascertained with the help of these estimated oven dry weights. Qualitative assessment of drying degrade was made visually at the conclusion of each drying.

Source of Information: Bano Biggyan Patrika, Jan-July 1985, Vol : 16 (1 & 2), 30-42

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The climatic conditions of Bangladesh are suitable for operating solar kilns throughout the year. Timber of different dimensions can be dried to a desired lower moisture content level even during the rainy season. Solar drying is significantly faster than air drying. The saving of solar drying time is quite appreciable. Conventional kiln drying is, however, faster than solar drying. The quality of the solar dried timber is superior to both air and kiln dried timber. The solar dried timber is generally free from any serious drying degrade. This aspect needs, however, investigation. Solar drying is more efficient than air drying; it is a simpler and cheaper drying technique than kiln drying. Thus, solar drying can conveniently be employed for seasoning timber in Bangladesh.

Knowledge Management: Journal