System Overview

Introduction

Dryzone is a high-tech moisture content (MC) measuring system that can be used effectively to improve control of the final moisture content during timber drying. Dryzone is also a valuable tool to assist kiln supervisors in achieving drying quality by preventing wet claims and minimize over drying. 

The need to stop the kiln, check the moisture content with a handheld meter and restarting the kiln is effectively eliminated, thus improving kiln throughput. The system includes a mechanism to enable automatic shutdown of the kiln at the correct moisture content.

This is implemented by providing an external relay that can shut the kiln down or by communicating with the kiln control system using a serial data link. Alternatively an audio alarm is enabled when the kiln charge reaches the desired moisture content. 

The charge moisture content is shown on a computer screen from green to dry, this enables the kiln supervisor to develop schedules that leads to improved drying quality. 

Dryzone has the capability to measure moisture content above 90% MC and can accurately determine the transition through fibre saturation point. With Dryzone, schedule development is easier and more precise since schedules are based on actual moisture content. 

This system is an industry-proven technology and has been in operation in kilns in various parts of the world since 1996.

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Configuration

  Sensor plates (1.2 m x 120 mm x 2 mm) are inserted in the stack to apply an electromagnetic wave through the bulk of the timber.
  Electronic measuring units mounted on the kiln walls send the data to a central PC in the kiln control room.
  Moisture Content of all the kilns per site are monitored on one PC.
  Moisture content is graphically shown on the monitor indicating changes in moisture content over time.
 
Dryzone electronic measuring unit

Sensor plates inside the kiln

Dryzone electronic measuring unit

 Sensor plates inside the kiln

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What are the main benefits of Dryzone?

  • Eliminating guesswork in determining when a charge has reached the desired final moisture content
  • Measures the average moisture content per stack and not individual boards
  • Increased kiln through-put and reduced over-drying
  • Simple and robust system to operate
  • Superior accuracy and reliability
  • No more manual hot checks required
  • Enables automatic end-point of drying
  • Reduces the costs of degrade due to overdrying
  • Eliminates the need to redry kiln charges

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