Course code MatZP008

Credit points 3

Hydrothermical Processing of Wood

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for lectures4

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes28

Independent study hours49

Date of course confirmation29.11.2016

Responsible UnitInstitute of Civil Engineering and Wood Processing

Course developer

author reserch

Edgars Bukšāns

Dr. sc. ing.

Prior knowledge

Fizi2013, Physics

Mate1035, Mathematics II

Mate4016, Mathematics I

Meha4014, Applied Mechanics

MatZ2036, Wood Science

Replaced courses

MatZP020 [GMTRP020] Hydrothermical Processing of Wood I

MatZP021 [GMTRP021] Hydrothermical Processing of Wood II

Course abstract

The equipment for hydrothermical processing of wood, parameters of equipment and control of wood drying quality. Visiting of the Latvian leading wood processing enterprises and analyze of the production technology in these enterprises.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge about wood and different wood products drying theory and technology – discussions at lectures, elaboration and defence of 7 laboratory works and visits of Latvian timber industry companies.
• Skills to define and analyse questions regarding wood drying process, manage wood drying process in wood processing companies and evaluate drying quality - discussions at lectures, elaboration and defence of 7 laboratory works and visits of Latvian timber industry companies.
• Competence to evaluate, analyse and develop wood drying technology in wood processing companies - discussions at lectures, elaboration and defence of 7 laboratory works and visits of Latvian timber industry companies.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Theoretical background of the practice program, Theoretical familiarization with drying technologies and production equipment (8 h)
2. Visit of woodworking companies, introduction of technology and production equipment (16 h)
3. Visiting woodworking companies, getting acquainted with technology and production facilities (8 h)
4. Visit of woodworking companies, introduction of technology and production equipment (8 h)
5. Laboratory work - Determination of shrinking/swelling and density of wood (5 h)
6. Laboratory Work - Preparation of Sawn Drying Modes (5 h)
7. Laboratory work - Calculation of the duration of the sawdust drying cycle (5 h)
8. Laboratory Work - Preparation and Experimental Drying of Sawn Dryer (5 h)
9. Laboratory work - Evaluation of drying quality (wood moisture content) (5 h)
10. Laboratory work - Evaluation of drying quality (internal stresses) (5 h)
11. Laboratory work - Analysis of the drying quality of the complex for the drying cycle and development of proposals (5 h)
12. Laboratory work - Submission of laboratory work, retention (5 h)

Requirements for awarding credit points

Assessment of learning outcomes is done by evaluation of 2 parts:
1) elaborated and defended 7 laboratory works;
2) report on visits of Latvian timber industry companies.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Students should learn following topics at their independent work:
• determination of wood shrinkage and swelling and wood density;
• elaboration of wood drying schedules according 3 different technics;
• determination of wood drying time according 2 different methods;
• experimental drying of softwood and hardwood timber;
• evaluation of drying quality (wood moisture measurements with different technics);
• evaluation of drying quality (chase hardening and checking)
• optimisation of drying schedules;
• investigation of drying processes in Latvian timber industry companies.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

• Laboratory works– 50%
• Report of companies visits – 50%.

Compulsory reading

1.Trübswetter T. Holztrocknung, Verfahren zur Trocknung von Schnittholz - Planung von Trocknungsanlagen. 2009. 204 p.
2.EDG-Recomendation "Assessment of drying quality of timber", 1994, 27 p. Pieejams http://www.timberdry.net/downloads/EDG/EDG-Recommendation(eng).pdf
3.Bowyer L., Shmulsky R., Haygreen J.G. Forest Products and Wood Science. An Introduction. Fourth edition. Ames; Iowa: Iowa State Press, 2003. 554 p.
4. Handbook of wood chemistry and wood composites. R.M.Rowell Ed. Boca Raton: Taylor&Francis, 2005. 487 p.

Periodicals and other sources

1.Starptautiskie žurnāli "Baltijas Koks" ISSN 1407-6667.
2.Starptautiskie žurnāli "Forest Products Journal" Online ISSN: 0015-7473
3. Wood Drying. Pieejams: http://www.timberdry.net (portāls par koksnes žāvēšanu).

Notes

The study course is included in the compulsory part of the professional higher education study program Wood Processing realized by Forest Faculty