Modelling of airflow and wood drying inside a kiln: A comprehensive approach

The quality and uniformity of kiln-drying is strongly influenced by the airflow distribution inside the kiln and by the moisture and heat transport inside the wood. A new comprehensive mathematical model that combines both processes is presented here. A method for obtaining numerical solutions for this wood drying model is described and results on different grids are compared. The wood drying model predictions are compared with experimental data. A solution procedure for coupling airflow and wood drying sub-models is described. Results for a test case provide an opportunity to evaluate model performance and to suggest many practical applications. This paper is part of a larger effort to develop computer models for wood kilns that can be applied to industrial processes. The model has a large potential to become a useful tool for kiln design and a valuable part of a training program for kiln operators.