Application of Wood Drying Simulation Models in Commercial Lumber Manufacturing

Abstract

Drying models are created both to develop a better understanding of the governing heat and mass transfer phenomena and to assist drying practitioners in achieving commercial goals. This article is a review of the application of wood drying and kiln simulation models to commercial lumber drying challenges. Examples from the literature are briefly reviewed and four selected applications in commercial lumber manufacturing are described. They include development of equalization schedules, assessment of green lumber sorting, development of alternative drying schedules, and assessment of fan reversal frequency and timing.

Keywords:

• Drying schedule
• Green lumber sorting
• Kiln drying
• Lumber
• Modeling