Utilizing Solar Energy in the Forest Products

Linear programing techniques were used to investigate the economic feasibility of using solar energy in the forest products industry. Energy outputs derived from oil and natural gas, mill residues, and the sun were considered, and the minimum cost energy use program was determined. The analysis indicates that the dominant use of solar energy in the forest products industry will probably be for lumber drying. A lumber-drying system composed of a solar kiln and a conventional kiln was considered, and the minimum energy requirement for drying a quantity of green lumber was calculated. It appears the the optimum use of solar kilns will be a combination of total drying of some lumber and partial drying of some lumber and partial drying of other lumber which will then be finish-dried in conventional kilns.

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