Characterisation of water transfer in a low temperature convective wood drier: influence of the operating parameters on the mass transfer coefficient

Different drying cycles were performed in a low temperature convective and homogeneous wood drier in order to evaluate the influence of four operating parameters (wood thickness, air velocity, air temperature and air humidity ) on the global mass transfer coefficient. The wood species used in this st udy was spruce (Picea abies Karst.). From the synthesis of the results, a g eneral correlation has been obtained permitting to accurately calculate thi s transfer coefficient. Moreover, it justified the use of the simple mathem atical model chosen to represent the variations of the parameters character ising the wood and air during a drying cycle.