High-intensity microwave wood modification for increasing permeability

Abstract

Low permeability of many wood species causes problems during timber manufacturing including very long drying times, large material losses after drying, and expensive drying processes. Impregnating low permeability timber with preservatives and resins is extremely difficult. In the pulp and paper industry, a low permeability wood results in shallow chemical penetration, requires the use of small-sized chips, a high chemical usage, and high energy consumption. New microwave (MW) technology provides solutions to many of these problems. Experimental studies into MW wood modification at 0.922 and 2.45 GHz revealed a dramatic increase in wood permeability when MW power is applied in the range of 2..