CONSTRUCTION AND EVALUATION OF SOLAR KILN FOR WOOD SEASONING IN DUTSIN-MA, KATSINA STATE

N Y Tukur, G Y Jamala, B Ahmad

Abstract


A proto-type solar powered kiln was constructed and evaluated at Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Nigeria.  The dimension of the wood used as the outer and inner walls were ½ and ¼ inch respectively. The inner part of the kiln was painted black for heat to serve as the solar absorber for the system. The kiln was constructed and the roof was glass of 5mm thickness.  A total number of 18 wood samples were used for the evaluation of the solar kiln from three different wood species (Khaya ivorensis, Triplochiton scleroxylon and Milicia excelsa). The wood samples were sourced from Akure, Ondo State and wood were machined and trimmed to the size of 20 mm X 20 mm X 300 mm. The wood samples were replicated three times in the solar kiln and under shed, their consecutive weights were taken. Evaluation was done between the experimental results of solar kiln and natural air drying. The results showed that the wood dried using the solar powered kiln attained the lowest moisture content of 19.77 %, while those under shed have 27.40 % moisture content. With regards to species, the moisture content obtained were 22.87 %, 23.08% and 24.87% accordingly. The drying rate was also compared, in which the lowest moisture content was obtained in 144hrs, followed by 96 and 48hrs (21.97 % and 30.67 %) respectively. It can be concluded that solar powered kiln dryer dries wood faster than Air drying method. .However, other heat generating, absorption and retention materials should be incorporated to the solar kiln design in subsequent researches

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References


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