Energy Consumption in Industrial Drying of Radiata Pine

Abstract

This article reports the results of an exploratory study designed to reduce heat and electricity consumption in industrial drying of radiata pine. The experiments were performed with slight modifications of the standard drying schedules used by the sawmill to dry radiata pine in 100-m³ industrial kilns. The heat and electricity consumption were determined with data collected during the drying runs and calculations based on mathematical models. The results showed that depending on the case, heat and power consumption were respectively reduced by up to 14 and 35%.

Keywords:

• Electrical consumption
• Energy efficiency
• Heat consumption
• Wood drying

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors appreciate the financial support of the National Commission of Scientific & Technological Research (CONICYT) of Chile (No. 80110012).