PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF SOLAR KILN AND AIR DRYING METHODS ON THE ATTAINABLE MOISTURE CONTENT OF ALSTONIA BOONEI WOOD

• J. Ogunsuyi

  Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

  Author

• J. M. Owoyemi

  Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

  Author

The need for alternative source of energy due to fluctuations in electric power supply has necessitated exploration of renewable energy source in wood drying. Performance of solar kiln drying and air-drying media in the drying of Alstonia boonei wood was examined. Daily temperature and relative humidity patterns in the two drying media were investigated to determine the influence of the drying methods on the attainable moisture content of the selected wood after 31 days. Average daily temperature and relative humidity in the solar kiln dryer for the drying periods were 53.33C and 65% respectively while 34.33C and 75% recorded for the air-drying shed. Higher temperature was recorded for the solar kiln dryer than the air-drying shed. The final moisture content for Alstonia boonei at the end of the 31 days of air-drying shed and solar kiln dryer were 11.30% and 3.89% respectively. The solar kiln dryer was found to perform better as it dried the wood from 60% to less than 5 % between 8 and 10 days period.

1. J. Ogunsuyi, Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

   Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

2. J. M. Owoyemi, Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

   Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

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