A Half-yearly Peer Reviewed Journal of Bangladesh Forest Research Institute
A series of charges oftwenty timber species were dried employing solar drying as well as the conventional air drying and steam heated kiln drying methods. Solar and air drying were continued for three years during the entire drying seasons. The results suggest that the climatic conditions of Bangladesh are suitable for operating greenhouse type solar kilns throughout the year. Even refractory timbers of higher dimensions can be dried during the rainy season to a desired lower moisture content. The quality of the solar dried timber is found to be superior to both air and kiln dried timber. Solar drying is significantly more efficient than air drying. It is a simpler and less expensive drying technique than kiln drying. It is recommended that the solar drying technique be employed in wood based industries for effectve utilization of Bangladeshi timber.