Solar Lumber Drying in the Central Rocky Mountain Region

This paper describes a solar dryer built with fiberglass-reinforced polyester corrugated material and reports on a comparison of the results of drying matched charges of Engelmann spruce lumber by the solar method with those obtained by conventional air-drying during various seasons of the year. Data include the maximum and minimum temperatures recorded in the solar dryer and in the air-seasoning yard, initial and final moisture content of the lumber, and any differences in the quality of the seasoning. The experimental dryer utilized from 25 to 45 percent of the solar radiation that reached the inside of the dryer through the roof solar screen. The solar dryer may well be the solution to winter and spring drying problems in the central Rocky Mountain region. Results indicate solar dryers have attributes that should attract the attention of small sawmill operators.

You must be logged in to download any documents. Please login (login accounts are free) or learn how to Become a Member