Non-Isothermal Mathematical Model of Wood and Paper Drying

A mathematical model of wood or paper drying based on a detailed consideration of both heat and moisture transport phenomena is proposed. By averaging we express the model as a sequence of initial value problems for systems of two first order nonlinear ordinary differential equations. This mathematical model makes it possible to efficiently investigate the drying process of a thin wood plate or paper sheet for varying temperature and humidity conditions in the surroundings. In particular, we have considered the optimization of the heat regime over a series of steam-heated cylinders in a papermaking machine.