Super-heated steam drying in Dutch operations

Reducing processing times and energy wastage being accompanied by a high drying quality are important objectives of the timber drying industry. The present investigation shows that superheated steam drying under atmospheric pressure contributes significantly to the goal of the industry needs. Since several years a number of drying operations work on this principle with success in the Netherlands. At least the drying time can be decreased by 50% and the energy consumption can be reduced up to 20% retaining the same drying quality. The effect of steam drying on the colour of the timber depends of the type of wood species. The colour of the wood is slightly darker. But in some cases it is even desirable getting the timber through and through slightly or even severe coloured, especially hardwoods.