A commercially viable solar wood drying kiln system

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1999 · Drying Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/07373939908917529· OSTI ID:355700

Vore, J.B. de; Denny, G S; Harper, T S ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR (United States)

The purpose of the study was to create a totally passive solar wood drying kiln that would dry lumber to 9% moisture content in a reasonable amount of time. A series of modifications led to a kiln design that dried freshly-cut lumber to 8% in a 29-day period with no case hardening or cracking. Air speed, internal and external temperatures and relative humidity levels were measured at 5-minute intervals. The average temperature inside the kiln was 12% higher with relative humidity levels 19% lower than outside the kiln. It is hypothesized that the daily cycles of heating and cooling permitted the interior moisture of the wood to reach the surface through diffusion, thus lessening stress and speeding drying of the lumber.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 355700
• Journal Information: Drying Technology, Journal Name: Drying Technology Journal Issue: 1-2 Vol. 17; ISSN 0737-3937; ISSN DRTEDQ
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
CONCENTRATION RATIO
DESIGN
DRYING
ENERGY CONSERVATION
MOISTURE
SOLAR KILNS
WOOD
WOOD PRODUCTS INDUSTRY