Saudi Journal of Engineering and Technology (SJEAT)
Volume-1 | Issue-04 | 117-121
Research Article
Promotion and Utilization of Plantation Grown Timber Species in Ghana: The Kiln Drying Schedule of Khaya ivorensis
Appiah-Kubi, E., Mensah, M., Tekpetey, S.L., Andoh, E.O., Opuni-Frimpong, E.
Published : Oct. 30, 2016
Abstract
Mahogany is ranked as one of the best known and most valuable commercial tropical timbers on the
international market. These species are becoming scarcer in the wake of dwindling forest cover in Ghana with illegal
logging as the major contributing factors. Since plantation species have not been used enough in the past, their kiln
schedules and their drying rates are unknown. In this study kiln drying schedule for plantation grown Khaya ivorensis
was developed. The testing method followed Terrazawa: 1965. Results indicate that the mildest drying conditions for the
plantation species would be the initial and final temperatures of 65°C and 90°C respectively and this coincided with the
temperature schedule T11. The wet bulb depression (WBD) of 5.5°C which also corresponds to WBD schedule of 5 was
recorded. Madison Drying Schedule T11-B5 is therefore proposed for the plantation grown Khaya ivorensis.