Evaluation of different approaches for the drying of lignocellulose residues

The main objective of this study was to evaluate three methodological approaches for the drying (air drying, solar drying, and hot-air drying) of three lignocelluloses residues in Costa Rica, namely the empty fruit bunches of oil palm (EFB), pineapple plant leaves (PL) with different treatments on this leaf, and sawdust from Gmelina arborea (GAD). The initial moisture content (MC_i), the drying times, and the variation of moisture content (MC) with time were determined. A mathematical model of the relation between MC and drying time was also established. The results showed that the MC_i was the highest in PL (over 79%), followed by EFB (over 47%), and GAD (lower than 47%). Drying times were higher for air drying, followed by solar drying, and finally hot-air drying. PL showed the longest drying times, followed by GAD and EFB. However, it can be reduced by shortening strands, application of grooves in the cuticle, or crushing the leaf. The MC variation model revealed that the function was Y = ax³ + bx² + cx + d for all three drying techniques, and the weather conditions where the drying was tested. This model presents high coefficients of determination (over 0.97) and low percentage of errors (1.85-4.73%).