Introduction to Lumber

Dry Kiln Operations –

Week 3

November 15, 2021

Hosted Virtually by the Southwest Ecological Restoration

Institutes Wood Utilization Team

Instructor: Patrick Rappold, Regional Wood Utilization

Specialist, USDA Forest Service Wood Education &
Resource Center
Week 2 Agenda November 8, 2021

12:00pm MST – 1:00pm MST

 Introduction to relative humidity, dry bulb, wet bulb, and equilibrium
moisture content. Followed by calculation exercises.
 The different stages of kiln drying.
 Introduction to lumber drying schedules.

1:00pm MST – 2:00pm MST

 Exercises on developing lumber dry kiln schedules.
 Phytosanitation guidelines and standards.
 Validating phytosanitation procedures.
Instructor

Patrick Rappold
USDA Forest Service
Regional Wood Utilization Specialist
626 E. Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
[email protected]
Mobile: 414-477-9167
 Wood Innovations Funding Programs

October 19, 2021 Request for proposals announced

January 19, 2022 Proposal submission deadline
May 2022 Approximate date to announce awardees
August 2022 Approximate date of award

Wood Innovations Funding Opportunity; Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 10.674

Community Wood Funding Program; Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 10.708

Wood Innovations Webpage https://www.fs.usda.gov/science-technology/energy-forest-

products/wood-innovation
FY22 Wood Innovations Webcast Recording; November 9, 2021
https://usfs.adobeconnect.com/pvs7p70t1cp4/

Kevin Naranjo
USDA Forest Service
Wood Innovations Lead
National Headquarters – Washington, DC

Julie Tucker
USDA Forest Service
National Lead for Renewable Wood Energy
National Headquarters – Washington, DC
 Regional Wood Innovations Coordinators
Region 1 (Northern Region) (MT, ND, Northern ID, & Northwestern SD) Julie Kies [email protected]

Region 2 (Rocky Mountain Region) (CO, KS, NE, SD, & WY) Laura Wolf [email protected]

Region 3 (Southwestern Region) (AZ & NM)

Marc Estrada [email protected]

Region 4 (Intermountain Region)

(Southern ID, NV, UT, & Western WY)
Julie Kies [email protected]

Region 5 (Pacific Southwest Region)

(CA, HI, Guam, and Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands)
Larry Swan [email protected]

Region 6 (Pacific Northwest Region) (OR & WA)

Jim Archuleta [email protected]

Region 8 (Southern Region)

(AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, Virgin Islands, & Puerto Rico)
Marcus Taylor [email protected]

Region 9 (Eastern Region)

(CT, DE, DC, IL, IN, IA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, WV, WI)
Lew McCreery [email protected]

Region 10 (Alaska Region) (AK) Priscilla Morris [email protected]

Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture,

the Forest Service is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of
race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA

Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at
How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA
office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all
of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the
complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or
letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of
the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue,
SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3)
email: [email protected].

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Discussion of Pricing and Costs

Refrain from discussing lumber costs and purchasing activities.

Books and Materials

Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Woods, USDA Forest Service

Forest Products Laboratory
https://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplgtr/fplgtr57.pdf

Dry Kiln Operator’s Manual, USDA Forest Service Forest Products

Laboratory – 1991 Edition
https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/7164

Wood handbook- Wood as an engineering material – 2021 Edition,

USDA Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory
https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/62200
Week 2 Highlights

 Dry basis moisture content formula

𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂 𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊 (𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺)
𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀 % = − 1 100
𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂 𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊 (𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷)
Week 2 Highlights

DRY BULB WET BULB

 Resistance temperature  Resistance temperature

detector (RTD) detector (RTD) with a damp
cotton cloth.
 Measures air temperature
 Relays information used to
calculate relative humidity
Hygrometer – Calibrate Dry Bulb
and Wet Bulb

• Routinely calibrate dry bulb

and wet bulb detector
readings with a hygrometer.

• Leave hygrometer in dry kiln

for 30-minutes so it can
acclimate to environment.

• Raise or lower dry bulb and

wet bulb sensor readings as
needed.

• Use clean wet bulb wicks that

are free of mold.
Image Source: Conway-Cleveland Corporation
https://www.conwaycleveland.com/kiln-supplies-ovens/hygrometer-60-
120f
Data Collectors

• Where does the dry bulb and

wet bulb information go to?

• Data can be stored on hard

drives

• Knowledge of Windows filing

system is needed

• Hard drive data can be used

for phytosanitation verification
purposes
Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC)

Source: Wood Engineering Handbook, 2021

Equilibrium Moisture Content. The moisture content at which wood neither

gains nor loses moisture when surrounded by air at a given relative humidity and
temperature. - Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material, 2021
Source: Wood Engineering Handbook, 2021
 Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC)

Equilibrium Moisture Content. The moisture content at which wood neither

gains nor loses moisture when surrounded by air at a given relative humidity and
temperature. - Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material, 2021

Source: Equilibrium moisture content of wood in outdoor locations in the United States and
worldwide. Res. Note FPL-RN-0268. https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/5913
 Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC)
& Relative Humidity

Relative Humidity - Ratio of

the amount of water vapor
present in the air to that which
the air would hold at saturation
at the same temperature; Wood
Engineering Handbook, 2021

Source: Review of in-service moisture and temperature

conditions in wood-frame buildings. General Technical Report
FPL-GTR-174 http://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/28970
Source: Review of in-service moisture and temperature conditions in wood-frame buildings. General
Technical Report FPL-GTR-174 http://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/28970
Source: Wood Engineering Handbook, 2021
Relative Humidity, Dry-Bulb & Wet-
Bulb Depression
• Dry-bulb - The temperature of
the kiln air.

• Wet-bulb - The temperatures

indicated by any temperature
measuring device, the sensitive
element of which is covered by
a smooth, clean, soft, water-
saturated cloth (wet-bulb wick
or porous sleeve).

• Wet-Bulb Depression –
Difference between Dry-Bulb
and Wet-Bulb.
Dry Kiln Operators Manual, 1991

Image Source: Conway-Cleveland Corporation

https://www.conwaycleveland.com/kiln-supplies-
ovens/hygrometer-60-120f
Relative Humidity (%) not italic
Equilibrium Moisture Content (%) in italic
Source: Dry Kiln Operators Manual, 1991
Relative Humidity (%) not italic
Equilibrium Moisture Content (%) in italic
Source: Dry Kiln Operators Manual, 1991
Questions and Discussion
 Drying Schedules

Two Types of Dry Kiln Schedules

1. Moisture Content Based

 Daily monitoring of moisture content.
 Temperature ramp-ups are based upon
MC%
 In-kiln inspection for surface checking.
 Recommended for ponderosa pine
(Rappold recommendation).

2. Time Based
 Used extensively for Douglas fir stud
material.
 Temperature ramp-ups based upon time
in kiln, time in set point
 Stages of Lumber Drying

Fiber Saturation Point

Conditioning &
Equalizing

Source: Drying Hardwood Lumber https://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplgtr/fplgtr118.pdf

 New Dry Kiln and New Drying
Schedule

 Ask the manufacturer if they

have any schedule
recommendations.

 Make sure dry bulb and wet bulb

are calibrated.

 Make sure vents are working

properly.

 Contact a local wood utilization

specialist at a college or state
forestry agency.
References to Start Developing
Schedules
• The Forest Products Laboratory
drying schedules were developed
before forest restoration became
relevant.

• Realize that your lumber may

contain more juvenile wood than
Forest Products Laboratory
scientists ever imagined.

• Tweak schedule until desired

results are obtained.

• Pay attention to daily MC% loss

rates.

• Adjust as needed for frozen lumber

and customer needs.
Dry kiln schedules for commercial woods :
temperate and tropical

R. Sidney Boone
Charles J. Kozlik
Paul J. Bois
Eugene M. Wengert

1988

This report contains suggested dry kiln schedules

for over 500 commercial woods, both temperate
and tropical. Kiln schedules are completely
assembled and written out for easy use. Schedules
for several thicknesses and specialty products (e.g.
squares, handle stock, gunstock blanks) are given
for many species. The majority of the schedules
are from the world literature, with emphasis on
U.S., Canadian, and British publications. Revised
schedules have been suggested for western U.S.
and Canadian softwoods and for the U.S. southern
pines. Current thinking on high- temperature
drying (temperatures exceeding (212 °F)
schedules for both softwoods and hardwoods is
reflected in suggested high-temperature schedules
for selected species.

https://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplgtr/fplgtr57.
pdf
Source: Dry kiln schedules for commercial woods : temperate and tropical, 1988
Schedule T9-C6
Ponderosa Pine

Source: Dry kiln schedules for commercial woods : temperate and tropical, 1988
 Understanding the Numbering of
Schedule T9-C6

• T9 – Dry Bulb Temperature

• C – Moisture Content Class

• 6 – Wet Bulb Depression Class

 Large initial wet bulb

depressions equate to more
aggressive drying rates.
T9-C6
Schedule T9-C6
Ponderosa Pine

Source: Dry kiln schedules for commercial woods : temperate and tropical, 1988
Source: Dry Kiln Operators Manual, 1991
T9-A6
 Schedule T9-C6

Schedule T9-A6
Moisture Wet-bulb Equilibrium Relative
Step Dry-bulb Wet-bulb
Content Depression MC Humidity
% - - - - - - °F - - - - - - ----%----
1 Above 30 140 15 125 9.6 64
2 30 to 25 150 20 130 8.0 57
3 25 to 20 160 25 135 6.8 50
4 20 to 15 160 30 130 5.8 43
5 15 to Final 160 35 125 5.2 38
Equalize and Condition
 Ramping Up Temperatures to Set
Points from a Cold Start

o Increase dry bulb temperatures at

a rate that will not overwhelm
your fuel system.

o Increase dry bulb temperature 5 -

10°F per hour to set point.

o Utilize the ability to open and

close vents when needed.
 Equalizing, Conditioning, Setting
the Pitch
Equalizing Setting the Pitch
o Bring all lumber pieces to nearly equal o Goal is to drive off turpentine and
moisture content. Accomplished by other naturally occurring solvents. For
introducing water vapor into the dry kiln. ponderosa pine, this is typically done
at the end of the drying cycle and is
o Begin equalizing when the driest sample is usually accomplished as part of the
3 percent below the final target MC and conditioning treatment. Target dry bulb
continue until the wettest piece has dried temperature is +160°F.
to the target MC.
o Only required for softwood lumber
Conditioning species.
o Relief of drying stresses. Accomplished by
introducing water vapor into the dry kiln.
These are the most frequently
o A high dry bulb temperature (170°F), high
relative humidity treatment to create overlooked components of kiln
uniform distribution of moisture from the drying lumber
core to the shell.
o May require long periods of time to achieve
desired conditions. Large capacity dry kilns
may require up to 12 hours of continuous
conditioning treatment.

Dry Kiln Operators Manual, 1991

Conditioning Relieves Drying
Stresses
Conditioning and Equalizing
Strategies

Source: Dry Kiln Operators Manual, 1991

Spray Lines
What About Dehumidification
Units?
Industrial Garment
Steamer
 Evaluating the Conditioning Treatment

Manufacturing and Marketing Eastern Hardwood Lumber Produced by Thin Kerf Band Mills;
https://www.kansasforests.org/forest_products/forest_product_docs/Manufacturing-marketing-thin-kerf.pdf
Evaluating the Conditioning Treatment
 Photocopy the Stress Test and the Kiln
Chart for Record Keeping Purposes

Source: Drying Eastern Hardwood Lumber https://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/usda/ah528.pdf

Phytosanitation

International Standards For

Phytosanitary Measures No. 15
(ISPM 15) - Regulation of Wood
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/home
Packaging Material in
International Trade
ISPM -15
Phytosanitation Treatments

Heat Treatment Methyl Bromide

Heat treated at a core

temperature of 132.8°F for a
minimum of 30 minutes.

Temperature can be measured

by inserting temperature
sensors in the core of the wood.

If measuring core temperature

is not possible – standard
treatment schedules can be
developed based upon verified
testing.
 Retain Kiln Chart for Record Keeping
Purposes

Source: Drying Eastern Hardwood Lumber https://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/usda/ah528.pdf

Retain Kiln Data for Record Keeping
Purposes
 Heat Treatment Stamps

American Lumber Standard Committee, Incorporated http://www.alsc.org/

 Heat Treatment Stamps

American Lumber Standard Committee, Incorporated http://www.alsc.org/

 Heat Treatment Stamps

American Lumber Standard Committee, Incorporated http://www.alsc.org/

 Heat Treatment Stamps

American Lumber Standard Committee, Incorporated http://www.alsc.org/

 Bark

ISPM -15
https://www.ippc.int/static/media/files/publications/en/2014/06/30/ispm_15_2009_en_2014
-06-16.pdf
 Methyl Bromide Fumigation Tents

Image: USDA APHIS

 Methyl Bromide Fumigation Tents

Image: USDA APHIS

Questions and Discussion