Radio-frequency/vacuum drying of softwoods: drying of thick western redcedar with constant electrode voltage

Six drying runs with 9.1-cm-thick western redcedar were carried out in a laboratory radio-frequency/vacuum (RF/V) dryer at four different electrode voltages and two ambient pressures. During drying, the rate of moisture loss and the temperatures and pressures at three locations within one of the boards in the load were monitored on a continuous basis. Evaluation of the six runs showed that thick western redcedar can be RF/V dried in a field strength of 1.8 kV/m without degrade. Furthermore, it was established that very high temperature and significant pressure gradients will develop in the longitudinal direction of the boards. Both gradients were directly affected by the electrode voltage and significantly contributed to the high drying rates achieved with this method.

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