Comparative Evaluation on Product Properties and Energy Consumption of Single Microwave Dryer and Combination of Microwave and Hot Air Dryer for Durian Peel Particleboards

In this study, the idea is to use alternative "green" based on renewable resources as a raw material so as to be the adhesive into space in order to decrease formaldehyde emission in Thailand's particleboard manufacturing industries. It was found that dried durian peel could be used to replace formaldehyde-based resin for particleboard manufacture. In addition, drying the durian peel particleboard reduces biochemical and microbiological degradation. This paper presents the comparative evaluation on product properties and specific energy consumption of single microwave dryer and combination of microwave and hot air dryer for durian peel particleboards. Microwave in a continuous belt system, consists of twelve 800 watts 2.45 GHz coupled into the cavity wall inside the system. A rectangular microwave cavity of dimensions 45cm x 90 cm x 270 cm combined with hot-air generator having the maximum operating temperature at 240 degrees C was chosen. Particleboards from Monthong peel with dimension of 20 cm x 20 cm were manufactured. The physical (Density, Moisture Content and Thickness Swelling), mechanical property (Internal Bond, dielectric (Relative dielectric constant, Dielectric Constant and Loss Tangent) properties of end products were determined. In addition, Electron Structure using Scanning Electron Microscopy and thermal photograph of end products were also investigated. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.