This thesis contains three sections of work. The first section of this work is principally aimed at producing resistance and capacitance type meter species correction data for a commercially popular species of Tasmanian Eaucalypt, Eaucalyptus delegatensis. The resistance type meter correction data obtained deviate from those values given in the Australian Standard. Differences in resistance meter electrode placement are assumed to be the cause of the deviations. Regression trendlines obtained for the capacitance-type moisture meters were shown to have a lesser degree of accuracy than those for the resistance-type moisture meters due to the effects of density. The practice of measuring the average moisture content at a depth of 115th of the thickness of a board using insulated probes in conjunction with resistance-type moisture meters was reinforced. The second part of this project involved work on a solar kiln situated at Kelly's Timber - Dunally. The purpose of the work was to try and improve the drying efficiency of the kiln and monitor it's progress throughout the drying process. Three drying trials were performed. A full schedule was provided for one of the trials where green sawn timber was fully dried to EMC. The success of the schedule was tainted by the poor quality of the timber before the drying process began. Air flow was improved throughout the kiln by the use of appropriate baffling and racking of the timber as recommended by the author. The temperature distribution and humidity control inside the kiln was found to be satisfactory. The final section of this research involved improving the drying efficiency of three Tasmanian industrial timber drying kilns. This work is still currently underway at the time of writing this thesis. Written reports have been submitted to the appropriate personnel regarding recommendations made from initial investigations. These reports are appended to this thesis.
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Copyright 1997 the author - The University is continuing to endeavour to trace the copyright owner(s) and in the meantime this item has been reproduced here in good faith. We would be pleased to hear from the copyright owner(s). Thesis ( GradDipEng )--University of Tasmania, 1998. Includes bibliographical references