Simulated Comparative Analysis of Sorting Strategies for RFV Drying

In this work, a numerical stochastic model is used to compare three possible sorting strategies in radio frequency vacuum (RFV) drying of thick timbers, namely, moisture content based pre-sorting (MCPS), batch dry/sort/redrying (b-DSRD) and continuous or retro-feed dry/sort/redry (c-DSRD). The model parameters were calibrated with experimental data of western hemlock dried in a commercial RFV dryer, and the results of the simulations were compared to a single pass base case (SPBC). The numerical results clearly demonstrated the differences among these strategies. The MCPS showed no significant improvement in final timber quality as defined by average timber moisture content, but there is an evident improvement in both b-DSRD and c-DSRD. The comparison was based on the increment of the percent of the on-grade wood (within moisture content range) and the reduction of overdried and underdried (wets) percentages. Furthermore, it was also shown that the effective drying time is roughly independent of the drying strategy

Model to assess energy consumption in industrial lumber kilns

In this work, a kiln energy model was developed with the main objective of assessing energy con-sumption in industrial lumber kilns. The model simulates kiln energy consumption on the basis of a simplifi ed description of kiln technologies, energy systems and lumber characteristics, and it requires a minimum set of empirical parameters that are calibrated in practice. In this study, the model calibration was performed for a laboratory scale conventional kiln and three experimental drying runs of 50 mm thick spruce-pine lumber. The results of this study illustrate how the kiln energy model is calibrated, compares experimental and simulated MC, energy and water consumption, and describes how the model simulates different components of energy consumption that can be used to evaluate potential energy saving strategies

Industrial evaluation of re-dry strategy for softwood lumber

This paper presents an experimental evaluation of the first commercial scale dry-sort-redry (DSRD) strategy for drying of 2x4 Pacific coast hemlock (PCH) lumber. The DSRD strategy is a methodology designed to reduce final moisture content variability in kiln dried lumber by complementing conventional drying with radio frequency vacuum (RFV) drying technology. The strategy’s objective is to avoid producing over-dried lumber in conventional drying by setting the target moisture content to a value much higher than those usually used in industry. Then, RFV drying technology is implemented to quickly and efficiently re-dry the lumber that remains wet (under-dried) after the first conventional pass. Six experimental tests were performed in an industrial sawmill with the intention of studying the effect of target moisture content on the properties and quality of the dried lumber. In all cases, the first drying pass was performed in a 260m3 industrial heat-and-vent conventional kiln, and the re-drying of wets was performed in a 75m3 RFV kiln. Additionally, a mathematical model developed for prediction of data dispersion in lumber drying was calibrated with experimental data, and used to simulate the DSRD strategy under other hypothetical conditions. The results of the study demonstrate that the DSRD strategy reduces drying time, shrinkage and kiln drying degrade in comparison with a single conventional pass

The REPLIM Project: a lake and wetland network to monitor global changes in the Pyrenees

IPA-IAL 2018 Joint Meeting (2018. Estocolmo)Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología, EspañaCentre National de la Recherche Scientifique, FranciaLaboratoire Geode, FranciaUniversité Toulouse, FranciaCentre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes, EspañaUniversidad del País Vasco, EspañaCentro de Investigación Ecológica y Aplicaciones Forestales, EspañaUniversité de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, FranciaUniversidad de Navarra, EspañaInstituto Geológico y Minero de España, EspañaPeer reviewe

Implementation of Computer Aided Tool for Non-Destructive X-Ray Measurement of Moisture Content Distribution in Wood

This paper reports recent attempts for implementing non-destructive measuring of moisture contentin wood based on computed tomography technology. The study focus onan image analysis method that has been already proposed and validated in the literature, but ithas not been tested for measuring low moisture content variations below fibre saturation point.The computed tomography method was tested against the oven-dry method.The results show thatit is possible to apply this technology to measure low levels of moisture content based on a regression model, where therootmean square error of the modelwas 1,4percentage points of moisture content. The method can still be improved because the density differences between samples are relatively small in relation to the experimental error and the computed tomography precision.Validerad; 2016; Nivå 1; 20151221 (andbra)</p

Basic density determination for Swedish softwoods and its influence on average moisture content of wood packages estimated by measuring their mass

In this work, a set-up with a device measuring the mass of wood packages is examined as an aid to estimate the average moisture content (MC) of wood packages. As the basic density needs to be presumed in the set-up, an estimator of the basic density as a function of log diameter is determined for Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). In total, 1920 specimens were collected at two different sawmills and analysed for this purpose. Specimens collected at the butt-end of pine had the greatest variation in basic density and it is recommended that they should be omitted when sawmills create their own functions for basic density estimation. Furthermore, the variation in basic density was shown to have the greatest impact on the estimated MC. A maximum error estimator of the MC became 14% at a MC of 70% and 9% at a MC of 10%. It was therefore concluded that the described method should not be used to estimate the MC of packages after drying but can serve as a valuable indicator of average green MC of a drying batch

A New Approach to Assess the Retained Value of Functionalized and Stabilized Wood Products through Aging

Wood stabilization and functionalization is a hot topic towards increasing the use of wood in buildings. Building construction and materials account for around 11% of the global CO2 emissions, thus there is increasing interest in using wood to replace concrete, steel, and aluminium. However, the perceived quality of wood in service decreases quickly in comparison with non-biodegradable alternatives, so aging must be delayed as much as possible through stabilization and functionalization. The question addressed in this paper is how to measure the perceived quality of wood products in service. The concept of wood quality is difficult to define, as it depends on a combination of factors such as customer satisfaction, wood fibre characteristics, products, applications, and so on. This paper proposes a definition of timber quality based on market price. By knowing the market value of a potential range of wood products, the proposed method calculates the loss of value due to developing defects caused by aging. Overall, the proposed methodology allows converting the subjective concept of aging into an objective $ value. A numeric example is presented based on the New Zealand timber grading rules. The results showed that 5.1 m by 150 mm by 50 mm softwood timber can lose up to 61% of its value as appearance grade if a single aging defect develops beyond the maximum allowed size

INDUSTRIAL EVALUATION OF RE-DRY STRATEGY FOR SOFTWOOD LUMBER

This paper presents an experimental evaluation of the first commercial scale dry-sort-redry (DSRD) strategy for drying of 2x4 Pacific coast hemlock (PCH) lumber. The DSRD strategy is a methodology designed to reduce final moisture content variability in kiln dried lumber by complementing conventional drying with radio frequency vacuum (RFV) drying technology. The strategy&#8242;s objective is to avoid producing over-dried lumber in conventional drying by setting the target moisture content to a value much higher than those usually used in industry. Then, RFV drying technology is implemented to quickly and efficiently re-dry the lumber that remains wet (under-dried) after the first conventional pass. Six experimental tests were performed in an industrial sawmill with the intention of studying the effect of target moisture content on the properties and quality of the dried lumber. In all cases, the first drying pass was performed in a 260m³ industrial heat-and-vent conventional kiln, and the re-drying of wets was performed in a 75m³ RFV kiln. Additionally, a mathematical model developed for prediction of data dispersion in lumber drying was calibrated with experimental data, and used to simulate the DSRD strategy under other hypothetical conditions. The results of the study demonstrate that the DSRD strategy reduces drying time, shrinkage and kiln drying degrade in comparison with a single conventional pas

Model to asses energy consumption in industrial lumber kilns

In this work, a kiln energy model was developed with the main objective of assessing energy consumption in industrial lumber kilns. The model simulates kiln energy consumption on the basis of a simplifi ed description of kiln technologies, energy systems and lumber characteristics, and it requires a minimum set of empirical parameters that are calibrated in practice. In this study, the model calibration was performed for a laboratory scale conventional kiln and three experimental drying runs of 50 mm thick spruce-pine lumber. The results of this study illustrate how the kiln energy model is calibrated, compares experimental and simulated MC, energy and water consumption, and describes how the model simulates different components of energy consumption that can be used to evaluate potential energy saving strategies

MODEL TO ASSESS ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN INDUSTRIAL LUMBER KILNS

In this work, a kiln energy model was developed with the main objective of assessing energy consumption in industrial lumber kilns. The model simulates kiln energy consumption on the basis of a simplified description of kiln technologies, energy systems and lumber characteristics, and it requires a minimum set of empirical parameters that are calibrated in practice. In this study, the model calibration was performed for a laboratory scale conventional kiln and three experimental drying runs of 50 mm thick spruce-pine lumber. The results of this study illustrate how the kiln energy model is calibrated, compares experimental and simulated MC, energy and water consumption, and describes how the model simulates different components of energy consumption that can be used to evaluate potential energy saving strategies