A high-temperature drying model for softwood timber

The high-temperature drying of a softwood board with relatively high permea bility was modelled on a one-dimensional basis. The moisture-transport mech anism between fibre saturation and irreducible saturation was elucidated, a nd moisture flow within the thin layer of damaged cells at the sawn surface s of the timber board was examined. The predicted temperature and average m oisture-content profiles with respect to time were in good agreement with s ome experimental data from the literature. Comparison between the experimen tal and predicted within-board moisture-content profiles illustrated the im portance of accounting for the orientation of the growth rings with respect to the drying surfaces and the effect of density variations on liquid perm eability at high core moisture contents. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.