V. S. Kishan Kumar , Sachin Gupta , C. M. Sharma

Abstract

Studies were taken up on one-inch thick samples of Populus deltoides to understand its drying behaviour under vacuum press drying. The experiment was conducted under eight different vacuum levels and temperature combinations. The results were analysed to understand which combination gives maximum drying rates in terms of moisture content reduction in various MC ranges. It was found that the samples could be dried to less than 15% MC levels from 90% MC levels effectively in two steps. No serious drying degrades were observed in the samples in spite of taking them through different drying cycles.

Keywords

Populus deltoides, Drying Behaviour, Vacuum Press

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Sachin Gupta , H. T. Lalmuankima , V. S. Kishan Kumar

Abstract

In the present study, Poplar (Populus deltoides) logs and bamboo culms of Dendrocalamus giganteus ranging from 5 to 15 cm in diameter were taken and plane sawn in case of timber and split in case of bamboo to compare the consequent losses or wastage during the primary processing. It is found that there is a major difference in wastage in the primary processing as the losses/wastage in round wood varied from 60 to 65% whereas in the case of bamboo strips it remained below 5%. This situation deems to have a re-look at the use of wood as strips where strength of the strips is not of primary concern.

Keywords

Primary Processing, Comparative Losses, Populus deltoides Logs, Dendrocalamus
Giganteus Culms

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V. S. Kishan Kumar , N. K. Upreti , Krishna Kumar Dwivedi

Abstract

Results of an experiment to enhance the drying rate of Bambusa nutans, Dendrocalamus membranaceus and Dendrocalamus strictus in round form are reported. It is seen that by peeling off a small portion of the outer skin, the drying rate of these bamboos can be enhanced without degrade. Results are suggestive of employing this technique by peeling off a larger portion of the outer skin albeit with caution to monitor the drying degrades due to such faster drying. It is seen that Dendrocalamus membranaceus dries fastest of the three bamboos studied as well as brings about the best results in faster drying by employing the peeling technique.

Keywords

Drying Rate, Peeling, Moisture Reduction, Round bamboos, Bambusa nutans,
Dendrocalamus membranaceus, Dendrocalamus strictus

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V. P. Tewari , Sunil Kumar , V. S. Kishan Kumar

Abstract

Studies were taken up in Jaipur and some villages around the city togather data on the growth, fodder yield and economics of Ailanthus excelsa. It was observed that one tree of this species fetches around Rs. 4000 in its rotation to a farmer with very little expenditure on it (to the tune of Rs. 25 per plant in the planting year). Its fodder has a ready market always and is sold at Re. 1 per kg in the market. Its wood has a market price of Rs. 1750/m³. It was observed that agroforestry schemes involving A. excelsa find preference in the area under study.

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V. S. Kishan Kumar , Sachin Gupta , Vimal Kothiyal

Abstract

Effectiveness of finger jointing was assessed in utilising lower quality mango wood which is extensively used by handicrafts industries in India. The study was based on the estimation of Modulus of elasticity (MOE) and Modulus of Rupture (MOR) under static bending of finger jointed sections and comparing them with the values measured for clear wood sections from the same lot. It was found that the MOE of the sections joined by Urea Formaldehyde adhesive showed significantly better values than that of even unjointed sections. The MOR values of such jointed sections were similar to those of unjointed clear wood sections. Sections jointed through Polyvinyl Acetate adhesive exhibited lower MOR and MOE values.

Keywords

Finger Jointed, Mango Wood, Modulus of Rupture, Modulus of Elasticity

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N. K Upreti , M. C. Kukreti , Chetan Swaroop , V. S. Kishan Kumar

Abstract

Solar drying of wood of Eucalyptus tereticornis, Acacia nilotica and Dalbergia sissoo has been tried in a single glasswalJed solar kiln. Of the three species studied, the moderately refractory wood of D. sissoo dried much faster than wood of E. tereticorllis and A. nilotica. All the three species dried at the rate of 2-3% per day below their respective fiber saturation points. No visible case hardeningcouJd be de tected after soiardryingin any of the species.

Keywords

Acacia Nilotica, Dalbergiasissoo, Drying Rate, Eucalypltus Lereticornis, Solar Kiln Drying, Fibre Saturation Point

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Sachin Gupta ¹, Shikhar Shukla ¹, V. S. Kishan Kumar ¹

Affiliations
1 Forest Products Division, Forest Research Institute, New Forest, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, IN

Abstract

The efficiency of four common wood coatings was investigated in this study on Melia dubia wood substrate. The per cent weight gain of coated samples and the per cent increment over initial moisture contents of the coated samples were compared. It is found that Lacquer and NC lacquer coated samples gave the least increments in MC after 25 days of exposure to high humidity. Lacquer coated samples resulted in only half Per cent weight gain compared to uncoated samples in the same duration. Though all the coating showed high MEE values in the beginning of the experiment, only the two lacquer coatings could retain 45-56%of their initial MEE values.Melamine and PU coated samples could retain only 9-16%. The water vapour transmission rates of Lacquer and Nitrocellulose lacquer coated samples also exhibited minimum values. The study illustrated the superiority of lacquer and NC lacquer in restricting moisture entry into M.dubia wood substrate.

Keywords

MEE, Melamine, Melia dubia, Moisture Sorption, Lacquer, Polyurethane, Water Vapour Transmission.

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