Combining Radio-Frequency Heating with Kiln Drying to Provide Fast Drying Without Degrade

A new radio-frequency (RF) drying process is described in which RF heating is combined with kiln-drying and a systematic relationship is maintained between the dry-bulb temperature of the circulating kiln air, the wet-bulb temperature of this air, and the surface temperature of the wood. This relationship is based on an appropriate kiln drying schedule. An infrared radiation thermometer is used to measure the surface temperature of the wood. This process has dried 2-inch white spruce in a quarter of the time required for conventional kiln-drying. The quality of the seasoning was excellent and the cost per thousand board feet, although higher than that of conventional kiln-drying, is less than any other known RF drying process.

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