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Kiln theory and knowledge
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Advantages of Wooddryer System
Advantages of Wooddryer System controllers.
Our controllers have been developed in cooperation with Wooddryer System during a decade long process in which we have worked very hard to create a user friendly and very flexible system. Although you will be able to operate our kiln controllers in the exact same way as most standard "slave" type kiln controllers, we believe you will soon realize the valuable options and features available on ours. These features will allow you to fine-tune and optimize your kilns in the following way:
INTEGRATION
information
technology
for your kilns |
We cannot stress the importance of total integration. By total integration we mean your ability to control all the kiln components through the kiln controller and extend these control features out through the network and onto each kiln program/schedule. This is all about information handling in order to maximize your kiln performance for each specie and thickness.
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Network
ready |
All our controllers come ready for connection to the Kiln Link Direct network. This computer network can provide you with many features to help you improve your drying quality and reduce your energy consumption and cost. It also helps you with better (and automatic) record keeping. |
Energy cost
calculation |
Understanding the actual kiln operating cost should be very important for any company operating kilns; however, the fact is that few can even measure this. Our kiln controllers together with the Kiln Link Direct network can help you do exactly this.
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Predrying
phase |
You can elect to skip the predrying phase. However on certain species, especially from green, it could prove very valuable. Imagine loading a load of hard maple or European beech, which you intend to dry with minimum color change (as light as possible). The predrying phase will create a near perfect air drying environment with plenty of air movement to accelerate the low temperature air drying. Once the controller determines that the load is nearly air dried it will automatically begin switching into the kiln phase. This initial low temperature approach can provide you will exceptionally bright lumber. There are more advantages (outside color) to using the predrying phase on such species as oak, ash, and several others.
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Interval
operated
main fans |
Wooddryer System invented the concept of automatic interval operated main fans based on the moisture evaporation from the lumber. What does this exactly mean?. Well, imagine the futility of blowing dry air over a dry surface. This is a waste of energy, since you cannot remove moisture from a dry surface. The ingeniuos idea behind interval operated main fans is this: "When the controller senses that there is no moisture evaporation from the load it stops the fans for a preset period in order to prevent more case hardening and to reduce energy consumption". You, the kiln operator, determine the parameters for initiating the pause and its length. These parameters will change from specie to specie and on different thicknesses.
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Power
exhaust |
Power exhaust is a much more efficient way to remove moisture from the kiln. This matters in two ways: Lower energy consumption and a higher venting capacity (normally). This means you can cut your drying cost and maybe speed up the drying process. In addition, since the controller is setup for power exhaust it is essentially prepared for adding heat recovery to your kilns, which can save even more energy.
Of course, our controllers can be used on conventionally vented kilns simply by not connecting to the power venting connection.
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Minimum vent
temperature |
This is a seemingly small detail, which can help you in the initial start up of the kiln. The minimum vent temperature will not allow the kiln to open the vent, if the temperature drops below a certain temperature. This helps in two ways:
- When starting a kiln charge it allows the kiln to heat up to a certain temperature before it begins venting, which is especially useful on kilns without excess heat capacity.
- If the heat system (boiler, furnace, etc) should break down, the kiln would discontinue the venting at the minimum vent temperature and not allow the kiln to cool down completely, which would require extra re-heating.
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Automatic
Conditioning |
The condition set points are stored seperately from the kiln drying setpoints, which allows you to engage the conditioning automatically or simply by activating the conditioning period yourself. In addition, the conditioning period can be preset for a certain time afterwhich the kiln shuts off automatically. You can also elect to run the conditioning indefinitely until manually stopped. |
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Installation example:
The picture on the right shows three kiln controllers, which are networked to the computer seen on the right. This particular location is one of the earliest installatios in the USA, and we have upgraded the software periodically. Updating can be done through on-line access using our web-based installation system. This on-line upgrade makes it economical to keep up-to-date with the latest software development. Isn't it about time you had a kiln controller, which is designed to allow future software upgrades? |
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Kiln controllers, fans, sensors, vents, heat systems and more
