Solvent Drying Pays Dividends with Ponderosa Pine

The utilization of acetone solvent seasoning process to dry ponderosa pine proved to require half the time compared to a matched load dried in a kiln. Lumber was upgraded through pitch removal realizing $5.31/MBF. Extracts worth $6.60/MBF were obtained, and long haul transport costs were reduced by $0.74/MBF. These recoveries exceeded processing costs by $4.30/MBF (a 12.9 percent return on investment). Comparison between the capital investment and operation of kiln- and solvent-drying methods are $2.83 and $8.35 respectively. Recommendations for further study include use of methanol instead of acetone and expansion to additional species.

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