Abstract: The objective of the present invention is an accelerated drying process for wood, capable of use with all species and of maintaining the quality of the dried wood intact, in which the temperature of the system is kept within the glass transition temperature range, for an appropriate period so as to attain the intended humidity ratio of the wood. It relates to an accelerated drying process for wood based on the rheological properties (hygro-thermalviscoelastic) of the latter, where the glass transition temperature of lignin is used as a relaxant or neutralization agent for the residual growth stress of trees, as well as those from the drying process. The process is controlled by monitoring the temperatures of the wood through the use of thermocouples placed along the length of the pieces. Furthermore, the use of the process of the present invention provides a significant reduction in the drying time and a reduction of the defects because molecular fluidity is maintained.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 20, 2001
Date of Patent:
June 28, 2005
Assignees:
Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria-Embrapa, Ecole Nationale du Genie Rural des Eaux et des Forets-Engref