Development of new microwave-drying and straightening technology for low-value curved timber

John F. Hunt; Hongmei Gu; Philip Walsh; Jerrold Winandy

doi:10.2737/FPL-RN-296

Treesearch

Development of new microwave-drying and straightening technology for low-value curved timber

Informally Refereed

Authors:

John F. Hunt, Hongmei Gu, Philip Walsh, Jerrold Winandy

Year:

2005

Type:

Research Note

Station:

Forest Products Laboratory

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/FPL-RN-296

Source:

Research Note FPL-RN-0296. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. 4 p.

Download (PDF 903 KB)

Download (PDF 903 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/20967.pdf

Abstract

A considerable amount of small-diameter, branched, or curved timber is currently left standing, bucked and left on the ground, chipped, or burned after logging or thinning operations. Most North American mills are not equipped to handle this low-value material. In many areas of the western United States, such forest residue does not decompose and becomes susceptible to forest insects or disease, especially if the material is partially damaged or injured during logging. The USDA Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory is conducting a comprehensive research program to add value to biomass derived from small-diameter, branched, and curved timber. This paper describes the development of new microwave-drying and straightening technology.

Keywords

Wood-based, structural, small-diameter, forest fuel, fuel reduction, composite, thermal softening, microwave heating

Citation

Hunt, John F.; Gu, Hongmei; Walsh, Philip; Winandy, Jerrold E. 2005. Development of new microwave-drying and straightening technology for low-value curved timber. Research Note FPL-RN-0296. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. 4 p.