Lumber drying options and efficiencies
The Wood Doctor's favorite references for making decisions among lumber-drying options. 1998.
by Professor Gene Wengert
Q.
I have been reading about the different drying processes and would like to know what my best options are and relative cost and time turn around for each process.
A.
There is a good overview publication ($7, I believe) called "Making Management Decisions in Drying" available from the Virginia Forest products Association, 804-737-5625, P.O. Box U, Sandston, VA 23150. However, for small qualities of wood, there is really only one choice--a solar kiln. Plans are available for free (I believe) from the Department of Forest Products at Virginia Tech, Ramble Road, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0503. The electric dehumidifier is a possibility for the more active and larger drying operation--perhaps 50,000 bf per year up to 1 to 2 million BF. Larger operations may still use DH or may go into a boiler and/or wood burning system.
We have a list of publications on drying. Send $2 to me at the Dept of Forestry, UW-Madison, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706.
After reviewing the book and other information, please feel free to contact me again with specific questions.
Professor Gene Wengert is Extension Specialist in Wood Processing at the Department of Forestry, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Click on Wood Doctor Archives to peruse past answers.
If you would like to obtain a copy of "The Wood Doctor's Rx", visit the Wood Education and Resource Center Web site for more information.
Would you like to add information to this article?
Interested in writing or submitting an article?
Have a question about this article?
Have you reviewed the related Knowledge Base areas below?
KnowledgeBase: Business: Plant Management
KnowledgeBase: Business: Project Management
KnowledgeBase: Primary Processing: Air Drying Lumber
KnowledgeBase: Primary Processing: Kiln Operation
KnowledgeBase: Primary Processing: Yield Formulas
KnowledgeBase: Woodworking Miscellaneous: Woodworking
KnowledgeBase: Knowledge Base
Would you like to add information to this article? ...
Click Here
If you have a question regarding a Knowledge Base article, your best chance at uncovering an answer is to search the entire Knowledge Base for related articles or to post your question at the appropriate WOODWEB Forum. Before posting your message, be sure to review our Forum Guidelines.
Questions entered in the Knowledge Base Article comment form will not generate responses! A list of WOODWEB Forums can be found at WOODWEB's Site Map.
When you post your question at the Forum, be sure to include references to the Knowledge Base article that inspired your question. The more information you provide with your question, the better your chances are of receiving responses.
Return to beginning of article.
|
