Hybrid drying with high-frequency heating and hot air under atmospheric pressure IV: water movement in Cryptomeria japonica wood during high-frequency heating

Abstract

 The relations among internal temperature, internal pressure, and moisture content distribution in sugi square lumber during high-frequency (HF) heating were determined to clarify the mechanism of water movement during the combination of HF heating and hot air exposure. Green sugi square lumbers were subjected to HF heating under atmospheric pressure. The water movement and pathways in the lumber during HF heating were also investigated. Results showed that internal pressure is the driving force of water movement. HF heating causes a rise in the internal temperature and internal pressure in sugi square lumber. Ordinarily, water in lumber evaporates from the surfaces of lumber during hot air drying. However, with HF heating the internal pressure is generated by the increased temperature, and liquid water is driven not only parallel to the grain but also perpendicular to the grain of the lumber. The ratio of the amount of liquid flow in the parallel and perpendicular directions ranged from 2 : 3 to 1 : 3. When the movement of water in the lumber was traced with a 0.5% aqueous solution of acid fuchsin, water was found to move through the lumber in the longitudinal direction and then flow in a direction perpendicular to the grain or in the radial and tangential directions.