A survey of firms kiln-drying lumber in the United States: volume, species, kiln capacity, equipment, and procedures

Between June 1992 and May 1993, a survey was conducted of primary and secondary manufacturing firms that had a least one dry kiln and processed at least 2 million board feet (MMBF) of lumber annually. Over 1,500 questionnaires were completed representing manufacturers in 43 states. According to survey respondents, just over 29 billion board feet (BBF) of lumber were kiln-dried. About 24 BBF were from softwood species and about 5 BBF were from hardwoods. Southern firms dried more than twice as much lumber as any other region. More southern yellow pine is dried than any other softwood species or species group. The leading hardwood is red oak. Drying data and volume totals are presented for the five leading softwoods and the six leading hardwoods. There are over 7,000 dry kilns in the United States with a total holding capacity of 447 MMBF. Most are steam heated. The holding capacity of dry kilns varies by species, but softwood kilns are the largest. There is also a regional size variation. The most commonly used maximum operating temperature for dry kilns is between 160? and 180?F. The kiln schedule type is dependent on the species being dried. Softwood producers generally used time-based schedules and hardwood producers used schedules based on moisture content. The is the first survey of its type with a national scope to be conducted in the United States.

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