Software tools for calculating the main parameters of the drying process of anisotropic materials

Abstract

Modern technologies for processing anisotropic materials require an integrated approach to controlling the drying process, which significantly affects the quality and properties of the material. This paper investigates the development of software tools for calculating the main parameters of the drying process of anisotropic materials. The use of cellular automata in this context allows modeling and controlling the distribution of temperature, moisture content, and stresses in the dried material. The work includes the development of a structural diagram and a modeling algorithm, in particular, taking into account the anisotropy of the physical and mechanical characteristics of wood. One of the key features of the work is the possibility of extending the existing transition rules for the cellular automaton model, which allows determining the initial moisture content in the cells based on its gradient at the boundaries and in the center of the wood. Software tools implemented in C++ programming language using the cross-platform environment "Code::Blocks" and the library "wxWidgets" provide the user with an intuitive and user-friendly graphical interface. The user can define input parameters, including geometric dimensions of the material, dryer characteristics, and other process parameters. An important function of the program is the output of results in the form of graphs illustrating the distribution of temperature, moisture content and stresses at different stages of drying. The user can also specify parameters for detailed analysis and export data for further research in Microsoft Excel. The study was conducted on pine wood material, taking into account various drying parameters. The modeling results demonstrate a significant effect of time and process parameters on the distribution of moisture and stresses in the material, which is in line with real-world conditions.