Modeling the change of water content in wood at atmospheric drying

Abstract

Objective: to develop a methodology for predicting changes in the water content in wood during atmospheric drying, taking into account the fast and slow stages of this process. Research methods: mathematical modeling, applied analysis of results, comparison with experimental data known from the literature, synthesis in order to better understand the regularities of drying. Results: a two-parameter model is developed, in which a phenomenological approach is used, focused on obtaining averaged estimates of wood moisture during atmospheric drying. Causal relationships are not detailed, but are taken into account in an integral form. Calculation formulas are obtained, the use of which simplifies the procedure for predicting changes in the water content in wood during atmospheric drying. The adequacy of the model and the reliability of the calculation results are confirmed by their consistency with the experimental data known in the literature. Research prospects can be focused on adapting the model to other drying methods in order to reduce the energy and time spent on a given technological process.