This study builds on a previously published solar drying model developed by one of the authors to optimize the drying process of Beechwood under Lebanese climatic conditions. While earlier work focused on general solar drying models for various materials, this research targets Beechwood, a species widely used in construction and furniture manufacturing in Lebanon. It investigates the influence of key parameters such as air speed, wood mass, greenhouse orientation, and ambient temperature and humidity. The objective is to optimize these parameters to improve drying efficiency, promote sustainable practices, and enhance the overall economic viability of wood processing in Mediterranean climates.
A refined MATLAB-based model is used to simulate coupled heat and mass transfer processes within the dryer. The simulation incorporates recent meteorological data (April 2020) from multiple Lebanese regions and evaluates the effects of drying air velocity, wood mass, greenhouse orientation, and geographical location. The model is validated using the Characteristic Drying Curve (CDC) approach and solved using a fourth-order Runge–Kutta method.
Results show that increased air velocity significantly reduces drying time, smaller wood masses dry faster, and a south-facing orientation improves thermal performance. Coastal locations, benefiting from higher ambient temperatures and lower humidity, provide more favorable drying conditions than inland or mountainous sites. These findings underscore the importance of parameter optimization and site selection in designing efficient and sustainable solar dryers for wood processing.
This study presents a numerical model tailored to Beechwood drying under Lebanon’s climatic conditions. The originality of this research lies in its comprehensive parametric analysis of critical factors affecting the solar drying of Beechwood, offering a deeper understanding of their coupled effects. Additionally, it provides valuable insights into the coupling of drying parameters and supports the development of sustainable, low-cost drying technologies aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 7 and SDG 13.
