Abstract:

The heat and mass transfer and coupling effect in wood drying were studied by applying the thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The relation of the heat and mass transfer and contained coupling effect were deduced in terms of the rates of entropy producing in irreversible processes. It might be sought that the moisture gradient not only leads to a water mass flux, but also gives rise to a heat flux. It is interesting to note that the force to drive water mass flux is the diffusivity gradient.

Key words: Wood drying, Heat and mass transfer laws, Coupling effect, Irreversible thermodynamics