Sawmill conversion efficiency and wood recovery of timber species in cross river state Nigeria

Abstract

Wood wastage during conversion has been identified as one of the factors contributing to forest loss. This study analysed efficiency of timber conversion at the sawmill section of Calabar Wood Export Processing Factory (CWEPF), Cross River State, Nigeria. Ten commonly processed timber species were monitored through the various machines during the conversion process. The various wastes associated with the conversion and numbers of sawn timber produced were analysed. The mean percentage of total wood waste generated during conversion process at the mill was found to vary from 46.89% in Cylicodiscus gabunensis to 55.49% in Tectonia grandis. The mean volume of wood waste due to back was found to vary from 0.019m3 in Cylicodiscus gabunensis to 0.133m3 in Afzelia africana. The mean percentage of recovery efficiency for the ten sampled log species was 46.87%. The recovery percentage varied from 46.24% in Afzelia Africana to 53.11% in Cylicodiscus gabunensis. The percentage of recovery of the ten sampled species was found to be significantly different. The study shows that conversion efficiency of the mill is comparably low; this has the potential of increasing demand for more logs and forest exploitation. There is need for improved technology that promotes efficient and effective timber conversion to facilitate sustainable timber exploitation in the state.

Velika količina drvnog otpada tokom konverzije je jedan od faktora koji doprinose gubitku šuma. Stoga, ova studija analizira efikasnost konverzije drveta u sektoru pilane u fabrici za preradu i izvoz drveta u gradu Kalabar (CVEPF), u državi Kros River, u Nigeriji. Posmatrana je obrada različitim mašinama deset najčešće obrađivanih vrsta drveta tokom procesa konverzije. Analziran je otpad koji nastaje konverzijom i prizvedena rezana građa. Utvrđeno je da prosječna vrijednost ukupnog drvnog otpada generisanog tokom procesa konverzije u pilani varira od 46.89% kod Cylicodiscus gabunensisdo 55.49% kod Tectonia grandis. Utvrđeno je da prosječna zapremina drvnog otpada zbog starosti varira od 0.019m3 kod Cylicodiscus gabunensis do 00.133m3 kod Afzelia africana. Prosječna vrijednost efikasnosti oporavak deset uzorkovanih vrsta iznosila je 46.87%. Utvrđeno je da se procenat oporavka značajno razlikuje kod deset uzorkovanih vrsta. Studija pokazuje da je efikasnost konverzije na pilani niska, što otvara mogućnost povećanja potražnje i održiviju eksploataciju šuma. Postoji potreba za savremenijom tehnologijom, koja promoviše efikasnu i efektivnu konverziju drveta, kako bi se obezbijedila održiva eksploatacija šuma u zemlji.