Some aspects and comparisons of microwave drying of beech ( Fagus moesiaca ) and fir wood ( Abies alba )

Abstract

Based on experimental research, this paper compares microwave drying of beech and fir wood. Three sample sizes were taken from each wood species, and the effect of sample dimensions on the kinetics of this drying process was analyzed. The intensity of moisture release from a sample was analyzed, and it was concluded that, by microwave radiation, the speed of drying was 13 times higher than by convective procedure. Based on the experiment, electric energy consumption for a stack of ten boards, 200 X 12 X 2 cm, dried under the same conditions as the samples in the experiment, was calculated approximately and estimated to be 7.6 kWh.