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

• Main Authors: Abd Halip, Juliana, Ibrahim, Azmi, Abdan, Khalina, Bakar, Edi Suhaimi, Karimi, Alinaghi, M. Tahir, Paridah, Choo, Adrian Cheng Yong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Springer 2015
• Subjects: TP Chemical technology
• Online Access: http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/5703/1/AJ%202015%20%2826%29.pdf; http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/5703/; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-015-0893-1

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.