Discussion

1. Discussion • The Density of a sample of wood increases with age (Lim 2003) • Thermal Conductivity has been related to the moisture content of wood, as well as other factors through this equation (Gu 2007) • Heat Capacity has also been related to moisture content using this equation (Gu 2007) • Discussion • The HeatConduction model successfully created graphs that followed the laws of heat transfer based on the materials involved • The DE optimization also found values that were within the physical range of the system which can be used to find other characteristic of the optimal sample of Rubberwood • Conclusion • The optimal age to dry a piece of Rubberwood is at its oldest age because there is a positive correlation between age and density of wood • Based on the equations above the optimal moisture content at which to dry Rubber wood is 30% - 50% • Future Studies • This model can be used with any type of wood but in the future it could be outfitted to work with other materials as well such as metals, ceramics etc. • In the future this model could take into account the convection in the system as well as the conduction • Bibliography • Awadalla, H.S. F., A F. El-Dib, M A. Mohamad, M Reuss, and H.M. S. Hussein. "Mathematical Modelling and Experimental Verification of Wood Drying Process." Energy Conservation and Management (2003): 197-207. • Blomberg, Thomas. "Heat Conduction In Two and Three Dimensions Computer Modelling of Building Physics Applications." (1996). • Chirasatitsin, Somjit, Suteera Prasertsan, Worawut Wisutmethangoon, and Buhnnum Kyokong. "Mechanical properties of rubberwood oriented strand lumber (OSL): The effect of strand length." Songklanakarin Journal of Science and Technology 27 (2005): 1047-055. • Du, Guanben, Siqun Wang, and Zhiyong Cai. "Microwave Drying of Wood Strands." Drying Technology 23 (2005): 1-16. • Gu, Hongmei, and John F. Hunt. "Two-Dimensional Finite Element Heat Transfer Model of Softwood. Part I Effective Thermal Conductivity." Wood and Fiber Science 38 (2006): 592-598. • Gu, Hongmei, and John F. Hunt. "Two-Dimensional Finite Element Heat Transfer Model of Softwood. Part III Effect of Moisture Content on Thermal Conductivity." Wood and Fiber Science 39 (2007): 159-66. • Hong, L. T. "Rubberwood Utilization: A Success Story." 1993. <http://http://www.metla.fi/iufro/iufro95abs/>. • Hunt, John R., Hongmei Gu, Phillip Walsh, and Jerrold E. Winandy. "Development of New Microwave-Drying Technology for Low Value Curved Timber." USDA (2005). • Killman, W. "Non-Forest Tree Plantation." Forest Plantations Thematic Papers, Forestry Department, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2001). • LeVeque, Randall J. "Finite Difference Methods for Differential Equations." 585-586 (2005). • Lienhard, John IV, and John V Lienhard. A Heat Transfer Textbook. 3rd ed. Cambridge, MA: Philogiston P. (2003) • Lim, S. C., K. S. Gan, and K. T. Cho. "The Characteristics, Properties and Uses of Plantaton Timbers - Rubberwood and Acacia mangium." Timber Technology Bulletin 26 (2003): 1-11. • P. Rattanadecho, “The simulation of microwave heating of wood using a rectangular wave guide: Influence of frequency and sample size”, Chemical and Engineering Science, 61(4) 2006, 4798-4811 • Price, Kenneth, and Storn Rainer. "Minimizing the real functions of the ICEC'96 contest by Differential Evolution." (1996). • Price, Kennith and Storn, Rainer. “Differential Evolution - A simple and efficient adaptive scheme for global optimization over continuous spaces.” March 1995, 1-12 • Simpson, William T. "Drying Technology Issues in Tropical Countries." USDA Forest Service (1992). • Storn, Rainer. "Differential Evolution Design of an IIR-Filter with Requirements for Magnitude and Group Delay." 26 (1995). • Storn, Rainer. “On the Usage of Differential Evolution for Function Optimization”, 1996, 1-5 • Suvarnakuta, Peamsuk, Sakamon Devahastin, and Arun S. Mujumdar. "A mathematical model for low-pressure superheated steam drying of a biomaterial." (2006): 675-83. • Wiwatanapataphee, B., Y H. Yu, R Collinson, and G Zhang. "An Exponentially Fitted Enthalpy Control Volume Algorithm Of Coupled Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer." Anziam J. (2000).