EP0922919A1 - Method for controlling a gas circulation - Google Patents

Method for controlling a gas circulation Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0922919A1
EP0922919A1 EP98660058A EP98660058A EP0922919A1 EP 0922919 A1 EP0922919 A1 EP 0922919A1 EP 98660058 A EP98660058 A EP 98660058A EP 98660058 A EP98660058 A EP 98660058A EP 0922919 A1 EP0922919 A1 EP 0922919A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
gas circulation
gas
change
procedure
measured
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP98660058A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0922919B1 (en
Inventor
Tero Lallukka
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Stellac Oy
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Stellac Oy
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Application filed by Stellac Oy filed Critical Stellac Oy
Publication of EP0922919A1 publication Critical patent/EP0922919A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0922919B1 publication Critical patent/EP0922919B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F26—DRYING
    • F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
    • F26B21/00—Arrangements or duct systems, e.g. in combination with pallet boxes, for supplying and controlling air or gases for drying solid materials or objects
    • F26B21/06—Controlling, e.g. regulating, parameters of gas supply
    • F26B21/12—Velocity of flow; Quantity of flow, e.g. by varying fan speed, by modifying cross flow area
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F26—DRYING
    • F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
    • F26B21/00—Arrangements or duct systems, e.g. in combination with pallet boxes, for supplying and controlling air or gases for drying solid materials or objects
    • F26B21/02—Circulating air or gases in closed cycles, e.g. wholly within the drying enclosure
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F26—DRYING
    • F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
    • F26B2210/00—Drying processes and machines for solid objects characterised by the specific requirements of the drying good
    • F26B2210/16—Wood, e.g. lumber, timber

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a procedure as defined in the preamble of claim 1 for the regulation of gas circulation in a timber treatment oven.
  • regulation of the process is mainly effected by measuring the humidity and temperature of the gas at one point or by measuring the degree of drying or heating of the timber. Based on these data, the temperature and humidity of the gas is then adjusted.
  • the fan can be somewhat adjusted mainly empirically to regulate the intensity of the gas circulation. Generally, however, a constant intensity of gas circulation is maintained throughout the treatment process.
  • the main drawback with prior-art technology is energy consumption.
  • the energy needed for the drying and heat treatment and the electric energy required by the fan motor make up a substantial part of the total costs of the treatment, so reducing this energy consumption is of a decisive importance for economic utilisation of the processes in question.
  • the proportion of electric energy is 20 - 50 % of the total energy requirement and the heating energy is obtained from a cheaper source, such as fuel oil, wood chips etc., the energy consumed by the fan forms a significant part of the total costs.
  • the object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks mentioned above.
  • a specific object of the present invention is to produce a new type of procedure for the regulation of gas circulation that allows the energy consumption of the fan in timber treatment ovens to be significantly reduced.
  • a timber treatment or drying oven which comprises a drying space for the timber to be treated, a fan designed to produce gas circulation through the timber and a heating unit for the heating of the gas to be circulated.
  • the change in the condition of gas circulation across a certain distance in the gas circulation is measured and the intensity of gas circulation is adjusted in accordance with this measured change. Therefore, the essential feature in the procedure of the invention is that there are two measuring points at which the same quantity is measured, thus allowing the change in this quantity to measured in the part of the gas circulation between the measuring points.
  • the change in the condition of gas circulation can be measured at two different points on different sides of the timber being treated, or alternatively at two different points on different sides of the heating unit. It is also possible to use other measuring points in such a way that the essential criterion of selection of two different measuring points is that measurable changes descriptive of the process in question occur in the condition of gas circulation between these measuring points.
  • the changes of condition measured from the gas circulation may be e.g. changes in the humidity, temperature or electric conductivity of the gas or a pressure difference or changes in gas composition.
  • the measurement of the change in the condition of gas circulation is preferably implemented as continuous on-line measurement, in which case the intensity of the gas circulation can also be adjusted continuously.
  • the intensity of the gas circulation can also be adjusted continuously.
  • the procedure of the invention has significant advantages.
  • the gas circulation is regulated by the method of the invention, the consumption of fan energy can be reduced by amounts varying between 10 - 50 % in different treatment processes.
  • the energy saving achieved in an oven of standard dimensions may be as large as $ 100.000 per annum as compared with empirical frequency converter regulation.
  • the heat treatment oven illustrated by the drawing comprises a closed drying space 1, where the timber 2 has been piled in a way that leaves enough space among the timber to permit circulation of gas, such as air.
  • the heat treatment oven has a fan 3 to effect gas circulation and a heating unit 4, i.e. a suitable heat exchanger for heating the air being circulated.
  • the heat treatment oven also comprises an outlet valve 5 for letting out some of the gas flow from the gas circulation and a replacement valve 6 for the intake of replacing gas into the gas circulation, as well as dampening devices 7 for increasing the humidity of the gas circulation when necessary.
  • the heat treatment oven is provided with temperature or humidity sensors 8 and 9, placed in the gas circulation on either side of the timber 2. Another alternative would be to place temperature sensors on either side of the heating unit 4, sensors 10 and 11.
  • the procedure of the invention is applied as follows.
  • gas is circulated through the timber by means of the fan 3, simultaneously heating the gas by means of the heating unit 4.
  • the gas flows from the fan to the heating unit, where it is heated rapidly while its relative humidity falls at the same time.
  • the warm gas flows among the timber 2, where it is cooled as it heats the timber and humidity is transferred from the timber into the gas.
  • the gas cools off and becomes more humid.
  • the temperature difference obtained from the sensors 8 and 9 is too small, in other words, it is unnecessary to use such an intensive air flow to achieve a sufficiently uniform transfer of the required heat energy from the heating unit 4 to the timber.
  • the sensors 8 and 9 can be used to measure humidity, in which case it will be discovered that the difference between the humidity values measured at the measuring points is too small, which means that, due to an excessive intensity of the gas flow, too little humidity is transferred from the timber to the gas flow. In this situation, by reducing the speed of rotation of the fan 3, the gas flow as well as the energy consumption of the fan can be reduced.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
  • Feeding And Controlling Fuel (AREA)
  • Percussion Or Vibration Massage (AREA)

Abstract

Procedure for the regulation of gas circulation in a timber treatment or drying oven, said oven comprising a drying space (1) for timber (2), a fan (3) designed to produce gas circulation in the drying space and a heating unit (4) for heating the gas. According to the invention, the change in the condition of gas circulation is measured across a certain distance in the gas circulation and the intensity of gas circulation is adjusted as necessary in view of the measured change.

Description

  • The present invention relates to a procedure as defined in the preamble of claim 1 for the regulation of gas circulation in a timber treatment oven.
  • In both heat treatment, warm air drying, hot drying and hot air drying of timber, large treatment chambers are used in which the timber to be treated is piled in a way that leaves enough space among the timber to permit circulation of gas, such as air, in the chamber. In the closed chamber, the gas is circulated by means of fans past electric resistors so that the air heated by the resistors causes heating or drying of the timber. When hot gas is effectively circulated in the oven, the heat can be uniformly distributed in the entire timber lot being treated.
  • At present, regulation of the process is mainly effected by measuring the humidity and temperature of the gas at one point or by measuring the degree of drying or heating of the timber. Based on these data, the temperature and humidity of the gas is then adjusted. In addition, the fan can be somewhat adjusted mainly empirically to regulate the intensity of the gas circulation. Generally, however, a constant intensity of gas circulation is maintained throughout the treatment process.
  • The main drawback with prior-art technology is energy consumption. The energy needed for the drying and heat treatment and the electric energy required by the fan motor make up a substantial part of the total costs of the treatment, so reducing this energy consumption is of a decisive importance for economic utilisation of the processes in question. As the proportion of electric energy is 20 - 50 % of the total energy requirement and the heating energy is obtained from a cheaper source, such as fuel oil, wood chips etc., the energy consumed by the fan forms a significant part of the total costs.
  • The object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks mentioned above. A specific object of the present invention is to produce a new type of procedure for the regulation of gas circulation that allows the energy consumption of the fan in timber treatment ovens to be significantly reduced.
  • As for the features characteristic of the invention, reference is made to the claims.
  • In the procedure of the invention, a timber treatment or drying oven is used, which comprises a drying space for the timber to be treated, a fan designed to produce gas circulation through the timber and a heating unit for the heating of the gas to be circulated. According to the invention, the change in the condition of gas circulation across a certain distance in the gas circulation is measured and the intensity of gas circulation is adjusted in accordance with this measured change. Therefore, the essential feature in the procedure of the invention is that there are two measuring points at which the same quantity is measured, thus allowing the change in this quantity to measured in the part of the gas circulation between the measuring points.
  • The change in the condition of gas circulation can be measured at two different points on different sides of the timber being treated, or alternatively at two different points on different sides of the heating unit. It is also possible to use other measuring points in such a way that the essential criterion of selection of two different measuring points is that measurable changes descriptive of the process in question occur in the condition of gas circulation between these measuring points.
  • The changes of condition measured from the gas circulation may be e.g. changes in the humidity, temperature or electric conductivity of the gas or a pressure difference or changes in gas composition.
  • The measurement of the change in the condition of gas circulation is preferably implemented as continuous on-line measurement, in which case the intensity of the gas circulation can also be adjusted continuously. Of course, it is also possible to employ only periodic measurements at suitable intervals, e.g. of a few minutes.
  • As compared with prior art, the procedure of the invention has significant advantages. In tests carried out, it has been established that, when the gas circulation is regulated by the method of the invention, the consumption of fan energy can be reduced by amounts varying between 10 - 50 % in different treatment processes. Thus, the energy saving achieved in an oven of standard dimensions may be as large as $ 100.000 per annum as compared with empirical frequency converter regulation.
  • In the following, the invention will be described in detail by referring to the attached drawing, which presents a diagram of a heat treatment oven in which the procedure of the invention can be applied.
  • The heat treatment oven illustrated by the drawing comprises a closed drying space 1, where the timber 2 has been piled in a way that leaves enough space among the timber to permit circulation of gas, such as air. In addition, the heat treatment oven has a fan 3 to effect gas circulation and a heating unit 4, i.e. a suitable heat exchanger for heating the air being circulated. The heat treatment oven also comprises an outlet valve 5 for letting out some of the gas flow from the gas circulation and a replacement valve 6 for the intake of replacing gas into the gas circulation, as well as dampening devices 7 for increasing the humidity of the gas circulation when necessary.
  • To implement the procedure of the invention, the heat treatment oven is provided with temperature or humidity sensors 8 and 9, placed in the gas circulation on either side of the timber 2. Another alternative would be to place temperature sensors on either side of the heating unit 4, sensors 10 and 11.
  • The procedure of the invention is applied as follows. When the timber 2 is in the drying space 1, gas is circulated through the timber by means of the fan 3, simultaneously heating the gas by means of the heating unit 4. Thus, the gas flows from the fan to the heating unit, where it is heated rapidly while its relative humidity falls at the same time. From here, the warm gas flows among the timber 2, where it is cooled as it heats the timber and humidity is transferred from the timber into the gas. Thus, while passing through the timber, the gas cools off and becomes more humid.
  • If the gas flow is too intensive, then the temperature difference obtained from the sensors 8 and 9 is too small, in other words, it is unnecessary to use such an intensive air flow to achieve a sufficiently uniform transfer of the required heat energy from the heating unit 4 to the timber. On the other hand, in a corresponding case, the sensors 8 and 9 can be used to measure humidity, in which case it will be discovered that the difference between the humidity values measured at the measuring points is too small, which means that, due to an excessive intensity of the gas flow, too little humidity is transferred from the timber to the gas flow. In this situation, by reducing the speed of rotation of the fan 3, the gas flow as well as the energy consumption of the fan can be reduced.
  • In a corresponding manner, using sensors 10 and 11, it can be established that the gas is flowing too fast past the electric resistor 4 to be sufficiently heated by it.
  • On the other hand, when the gas flow is too small, the differences in the temperature or humidity as measured by the sensors 8 and 9 will be too large, from which it can be inferred that the process is inefficient and needs a more intensive gas flow.
  • In the foregoing, the invention has been described by way of example by the aid of the attached drawing, but different embodiments of the invention are possible within the framework of the inventive idea defined by the claims.

Claims (8)

  1. Procedure for the regulation of gas circulation in a timber treatment or drying oven, said oven comprising a drying space (1) for timber (2), a fan (3) designed to effect gas circulation in the drying space and a heating unit (4) for heating the gas, characterised in that the change in the condition of gas circulation is measured across a certain distance in the gas circulation and the intensity of gas circulation is adjusted as necessary in view of the measured change.
  2. Procedure as defined in claim 1, characterised in that the change in the condition of gas circulation is measured at two points in the gas circulation on different sides of the timber (2) being treated.
  3. Procedure as defined in claim 1, characterised in that the change in the condition of gas circulation is measured at two points in the gas circulation on different sides of the heating unit (4).
  4. Procedure as defined in any one of claims 1 - 3, characterised in that the change measured in the condition of gas circulation is a change in the humidity of the gas.
  5. Procedure as defined in any one of claims 1 - 3, characterised in that the change measured in the condition of gas circulation is a change in the temperature of the gas.
  6. Procedure as defined in any one of claims 1 - 5, characterised in that the change in the condition of gas circulation is measured substantially continuously throughout the treatment process.
  7. Procedure as defined in any one of claims 1 - 5, characterised in that the change in the condition of gas circulation is measured substantially periodically throughout the treatment process.
  8. Procedure as defined in any one of claims 1 - 7, characterised in that the gas used in the gas circulation is mainly air.
EP98660058A 1997-12-09 1998-06-15 Method for controlling the gas circulation rate in a timber drying oven Expired - Lifetime EP0922919B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FI974466A FI974466A0 (en) 1997-12-09 1997-12-09 Foerfarande Foer reglering av gascirkulation
FI974466 1997-12-09

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0922919A1 true EP0922919A1 (en) 1999-06-16
EP0922919B1 EP0922919B1 (en) 2001-05-16

Family

ID=8550089

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98660058A Expired - Lifetime EP0922919B1 (en) 1997-12-09 1998-06-15 Method for controlling the gas circulation rate in a timber drying oven

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0922919B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE201263T1 (en)
DE (1) DE69800790T2 (en)
DK (1) DK0922919T3 (en)
FI (1) FI974466A0 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1950516A2 (en) * 2007-01-26 2008-07-30 Valutec AB A method for adapting the requirement of drying air in wood driers
CN102305521A (en) * 2011-04-29 2012-01-04 苏州市吴赣药业有限公司 Hot-air circulating oven
CN109595904A (en) * 2018-11-23 2019-04-09 泉州永润家居设计有限公司 A kind of Furniture manufacturing timber drying device
EP3093596B1 (en) * 2015-05-11 2019-10-23 Coldbay AB Method for determining an action
AT16621U3 (en) * 2019-10-07 2020-12-15 Franz Schlatte Method and device for drying items to be dried

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2196295A1 (en) 2008-12-04 2010-06-16 Fachhochschule Eberswalde Wood, method and devices for its manufacture

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2131758A1 (en) * 1970-06-29 1972-01-05 Weyerhaeuser Co Method of drying timber
EP0142071A2 (en) * 1983-11-09 1985-05-22 Lignomat GmbH Process for drying wood
US4599808A (en) * 1984-03-20 1986-07-15 The Foxboro Company Drying method and apparatus for fibrous material
EP0268774A2 (en) * 1986-11-22 1988-06-01 BABCOCK-BSH AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT vormals Büttner-Schilde-Haas AG Continuous veneer dryer
US4862599A (en) * 1987-05-26 1989-09-05 Gesellschaft Fur Messtechnik Mbh Process and apparatus for drying wood
US4922624A (en) * 1988-11-14 1990-05-08 Tharpe John M Method and apparatus for drying lumber
WO1997008504A1 (en) * 1995-08-14 1997-03-06 Utec Sm Ab Method for drying wood

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2131758A1 (en) * 1970-06-29 1972-01-05 Weyerhaeuser Co Method of drying timber
EP0142071A2 (en) * 1983-11-09 1985-05-22 Lignomat GmbH Process for drying wood
US4599808A (en) * 1984-03-20 1986-07-15 The Foxboro Company Drying method and apparatus for fibrous material
EP0268774A2 (en) * 1986-11-22 1988-06-01 BABCOCK-BSH AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT vormals Büttner-Schilde-Haas AG Continuous veneer dryer
US4862599A (en) * 1987-05-26 1989-09-05 Gesellschaft Fur Messtechnik Mbh Process and apparatus for drying wood
US4922624A (en) * 1988-11-14 1990-05-08 Tharpe John M Method and apparatus for drying lumber
WO1997008504A1 (en) * 1995-08-14 1997-03-06 Utec Sm Ab Method for drying wood

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1950516A2 (en) * 2007-01-26 2008-07-30 Valutec AB A method for adapting the requirement of drying air in wood driers
EP1950516A3 (en) * 2007-01-26 2012-01-18 Valutec AB A method for adapting the requirement of drying air in wood driers
CN102305521A (en) * 2011-04-29 2012-01-04 苏州市吴赣药业有限公司 Hot-air circulating oven
EP3093596B1 (en) * 2015-05-11 2019-10-23 Coldbay AB Method for determining an action
CN109595904A (en) * 2018-11-23 2019-04-09 泉州永润家居设计有限公司 A kind of Furniture manufacturing timber drying device
AT16621U3 (en) * 2019-10-07 2020-12-15 Franz Schlatte Method and device for drying items to be dried

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FI974466A0 (en) 1997-12-09
DE69800790D1 (en) 2001-06-21
EP0922919B1 (en) 2001-05-16
ATE201263T1 (en) 2001-06-15
DE69800790T2 (en) 2002-05-29
DK0922919T3 (en) 2001-08-27

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