This information is provided by the Virginia Cooperative Extension.
Solar Heated Lumber
Businesses that utilize small quantities of kiln dried lumber in their mamufacturing process usually must purchase their lumber already kiln dried,rather thatn purchasing green (wet) lumber (which would cost less than kiln dried lumber) and drying it themselves. A dry kiln is a major expense--an all electric 2,000 board foot kiln, with a small electric boiler, would cost over $30,000 This fact, coupled with today's rising energy costs, makes small scale application of typical drying procedures impractical. In recent years, electrically owered dehumidifier kilns have been developed for the small wood user but even those kilns require a substantial capital investment, and energy costs are significant. This article reports on a solar heated lumber dryer that requires only a minimal capital investment for the dryer and no energy, other than solar,except for the fans. This design is based on 18 years of research and development into solar dryingof lumber within the U.S. Forest Service and various universities. By the use of appropriate solar technology, it is now possible for the small wood using industry to pruchase green lumber and dry it, in approximately 30 days, to 7 % moisture content, at very little cost.
This report was written by "Eugene M. Wengert"
Extension Specialist
Wood Technology
Department of Forest Products
Virginia Tech
© 1997 reda@dp.net