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Content archived on 2024-04-30

Improved Control methods and systems for Consistent Drying of wood

Objective


1.The performance of 7 industrial kilns was intensively monitored and modeled in respect of their geometry, air flow, humidity and heat distribution profiles. The results are being used by each respective partner to improve their existing drying schedules and optimize operational practice including stacking;
2.A new prototype kiln control system incorporating an interactive model which uses on-line information to adjust and optimize kiln conditions to maximize drying quality was developed;
3.Improved schedules for HTD drying of both spruce and beech were derived and incorporated into both the on and off line control system models;
4. A prototype pre-sorting moisture meter capable of in-line metering in wood up to 70%MC was developed and evaluated in commercial trials.
The purpose of the project is to improve the quality of dried timber by developing improved schedules, a moisture content pre-sorting regime, flexible and improved kiln control and schedule assessment by using feedback from systematic quality measurement. The primary tasks in the project will be: to develop new and optimised drying schedules for spruce and beech; to introduce new kiln control systems (based on models of wood drying); to introduce feedback control based on quality assessment of dried wood; and, to develop methods of moisture content pre-sorting to reduce variability in dried timber. Encouraging results from a number of European and national projects have led to the consortium of SMEs (led by kiln manufacturer, HB Koeltechniek BV) to co-operate in this project. At the end of the project there will be new control systems in the UK and the Netherlands for softwoods and hardwoods and a prototype for moisture content pre-sorting and quality feedback control. The project will lead to reductions in drying times (20% reduction target) and increases in quality (25% reduction from improved control and 10% reduction from MC pre-sorting targets). This will lead to significant reductions in drying costs (total possible savings estimated at 250 kECU/year for each drying company) and subsequently to reduced energy consumption. The project involves SMEs from the UK and the Netherlands together with R&D expertise from TNO Centre for Timber Research (NL) and the BRE Centre for Timber Technology and Construction (UK). The results will be disseminated to other wood processing SMEs in Europe.

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CRS - Cooperative research contracts

Coordinator

HB Koeltechniek Engineering BV
EU contribution
No data
Address
16,Van den Broekeweg
7602 PH Almelo
Netherlands

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Total cost

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Participants (11)

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