Drying kinetics in<i>Eucalyptus urophylla</i>wood: analysis of anisotropy and region of the stem
Thiago Campos Monteiro, José Tarcísio Lima, Paulo Ricardo Gherardi Hein, José Reinaldo Moreira da Silva, Raul de Abreu Neto, Lucieli Rossi
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the drying in Eucalyptus wood in different directions and regions. Flow rates of free (FRFW), bound (FRBW), and total water were calculated in three directions. FRFW in the transversal direction demonstrated higher rates for the internal region. FRFW in the longitudinal direction was 1.7 times higher than in radial and 2.4 times higher than in tangential. FRBW in the tangential and radial directions was equal. FRFW was ∼14 times higher than FRBW. Correlations between FRFW and FRBW were inversely proportional. The results can help in the drying optimization of Eucalyptus and indicate parameters for its use in industries.