Pre-drying optimization of oil palm veneers by response surface methodology

• Published in: European Journal of Wood and Wood Products
• Main Author: Yong A.C.C.; Tahir P.M.; Karimi A.; Bakar E.S.; Abdan K.; Ibrahim A.; Halip J.A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Springer Verlag 2015
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84930767509&doi=10.1007%2fs00107-015-0893-1&partnerID=40&md5=c35eab800d38b508ab7c7baa23a0dbba

For the manufacture of veneers, oil palm trees are considered as a suitable alternative material to traditional woods such as rubberwood and meranti. However, the high moisture content (MC) in oil palm wood is a major barrier for processing. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the oil palm pre-drying process. Oil palm veneers were fed into a veneer roller press machine to squeeze out moisture by varying passes, pressure and roller speed. For the outer oil palm veneers, pre-drying was carried out with 2 passes at a pressure of 8042 kPa and speed of 41.49 Hz. Optimum conditions for the inner oil palm veneers were found at 2 passes, a pressure of 7550 kPa and speed of 41.49 Hz. The MC reduction was determined at 17.62 % for the outer and 22.01 % for the inner veneers. In conclusion, pre-drying treatment significantly reduces the moisture content of oil palm veneers and lowers drying time. © 2015, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.