METHOD OF REDUCING THE ELECTRIC ENERGY CONSUMPTION DURING TIMBER DRYING

Ioan - Bogdan BEDELEAN
Asist. dr. ing. - Universitatea Transilvania din Brasov - Facultatea de Ingineria Lemnului
B-dul. Eroilor nr. 29, 500036, Brasov. Tel: 004 0268415315, Fax: 004 0268415315.
E-mail: bedelean@unitbv.ro

Daniela SOVA
Conf. dr. ing. - Universitatea Transilvania din Brasov - Facultatea de Inginerie Mecanica
B-dul. Eroilor nr. 29, 500036, Brasov. Tel: 004 0268412921, Fax: 004 0268474761.
E-mail: sova.d@unitbv.ro

Abstract: The purpose of the research was to develop a method of reducing the absorbed electric energy consumption during the timber drying process. The proposed method involves the use of a kit of baffles and a program of adjusting the electric motors power according to the optimal air velocity (during the timber drying process). In the first stage of the research the mean air velocity through the stacks was measured, with and without using a kit of baffles. Based on the results and the criterion that the mean air velocity should be within the optimal limits of 2.5 - 3 m/s throughout the entire process, the program of adjusting the electric motors power of the fans was developed. Two experimental tests were performed on spruce timber in order to establish the drying time and the electric energy consumption. The proposed method has led to the decrease of both, drying time, by 5%, and electric energy consumption, by 18%.

Key words: spruce wood drying, kit of baffles, air velocity adjusting, electric energy consumption.

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