kiln dryer

[Duffryn]

Also I don't see how people can dry 32 cub metres in 16 cages?

Does any one do that can't be much air flow

 

Sorry I didn't explain that very well. It's the rate at which the moisture ridden air within the container or kiln is changed that is important. The stillages had gaps between them on the side edges, bottom, tops and within the stillage itself with loose stacked logs to allow the moisture ridden air to escape. I don't have the exact figure to hand but it was something like a complete air change every 45 seconds. That is not to say all the heat energy is changed every 45 seconds because the logs retain a lot of that energy.

 

All basic FORCED AIR dried kilns, chip driers etc work on a similar principle.

[R5log]

Sorry I didn't explain that very well. It's the rate at which the moisture ridden air within the container or kiln is changed that is important. The stillages had gaps between them on the side edges, bottom, tops and within the stillage itself with loose stacked logs to allow the moisture ridden air to escape. I don't have the exact figure to hand but it was something like a complete air change every 45 seconds. That is not to say all the heat energy is changed every 45 seconds because the logs retain a lot of that energy.

 

 

 

All basic FORCED AIR dried kilns, chip driers etc work on a similar principle.

 

 

Thanks, any idea of the optimum heat for drying and rhi?

Thanks

[Duffryn]

Thanks, any idea of the optimum heat for drying and rhi?

Thanks

 

Really you are limited to the temperature that the boiler is designed to run efficiently at. In my case I run the boiler at 80 degrees and get 60 inside the kiln. I can dry softwood logs in a day and hardwood in 2-3 days. Add a day to these times for big 50cm logs.

 

Pics of my setup. Boiler house, chip store, kiln and storage shed ( under

construction)

 

 

 

[R5log]

Really you are limited to the temperature that the boiler is designed to run efficiently at. In my case I run the boiler at 80 degrees and get 60 inside the kiln. I can dry softwood logs in a day and hardwood in 2-3 days. Add a day to these times for big 50cm logs.

 

 

 

Pics of my setup. Boiler house, chip store, kiln and storage shed ( under

 

construction)

 

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[ATTACH]173323[/ATTACH]

 

 

 

[ATTACH]173324[/ATTACH]

 

 

 

[ATTACH]173325[/ATTACH]

 

 

Thanks, is that a small container?

[Duffryn]

Yes a 10ft HQ with two 54 kwh heat exchangers.

[arboriculturist]

Yes a 10ft HQ with two 54 kwh heat exchangers.

 

Wow that is a lot of output for a 10ft HQ! Not surprised at your drying times, although I expect the logs end up at around 25% MC drying green wood.

 

Very envious of that setup!

[arboriculturist]

Really you are limited to the temperature that the boiler is designed to run efficiently at. In my case I run the boiler at 80 degrees and get 60 inside the kiln. I can dry softwood logs in a day and hardwood in 2-3 days. Add a day to these times for big 50cm logs.

 

Pics of my setup. Boiler house, chip store, kiln and storage shed ( under

construction)

[ATTACH]173322[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]173323[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]173324[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]173325[/ATTACH]

 

That storage building looks supreme! Are those insulated roofing sheets? The custom overhang is a well conceived addition.

Thanks for posting the images.

[farmer rod]

 

clue how long it's going to take to complete the cycle but the cost is so far extrapolated to be 12.6 pence per kg of final dry wood based on the electricity meter and water so far extracted.

 

I make that £126 PER TONNE for electric, is that right?

[farmer rod]

I make that £126 PER TONNE for electric, is that right?

 

ah just seen your update, so nearer £60

[arboriculturist]

Really you are limited to the temperature that the boiler is designed to run efficiently at. In my case I run the boiler at 80 degrees and get 60 inside the kiln. I can dry softwood logs in a day and hardwood in 2-3 days. Add a day to these times for big 50cm logs.

 

Pics of my setup. Boiler house, chip store, kiln and storage shed ( under

construction)

[ATTACH]173322[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]173323[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]173324[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]173325[/ATTACH]

 

QUOTE: I can dry softwood logs in a day and hardwood in 2-3 days. Add a day to these times for big 50cm logs.

 

 

How do you get such a low moisture starting point for Hardwoods ?

Generally 50-60% is the norm.

 

At that level I would have thought 4-5 days to reach 20%?