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Drying wood in a tropical climate

5/26/22       
Doug Terry Member

I am in Thailand, where the RH on a normal day ranges from 45% to 80%, which IMHO is perfect, that is unless you want to dry wood and export it to a country with a less tropical climate. The daytime temperature in summer ranges between 85 - 115F (30-46C).

I intend making some furniture out of ply, dressed timber and laminated timber sheets.
The moisture content of each is approximately 20%, 25% and 18% respectively.

I’ve got access to a 100 cubic meter concrete panel room that I can use as a kiln rather than building a solar kiln and this is the way I’d prefer to go, at least, initially.

I was thinking of using a Desiccant dehumidifier to get the moisture content of the wood down to the required 9% to be able to export to less tropical climates.

Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

5/28/22       #2: Drying wood in a tropical climate ...
Gene WENGERT-WoodDoc

It is best to rely on past tests and information. Concrete is not used for a kiln because it is not a good insulated and because the moisture and acids can cause rapid deterioration of the concrete.

Unless you can visit and see how a desiccant DH works with lumber, stick with what others have found effective, such as an electric DH.

5/28/22       #3: Drying wood in a tropical climate ...
RichC

You are talking about removing gallons and gallons of water from the wood. I've not seen a desiccant dehumidifier that could handle that.

5/28/22       #4: Drying wood in a tropical climate ...
Gene WENGERT-WoodDoc

It is best to rely on past tests and information. Concrete is not used for a kiln because it is not a good insulated and because the moisture and acids can cause rapid deterioration of the concrete.

Unless you can visit and see how a desiccant DH works with lumber, stick with what others have found effective, such as an electric DH.

5/28/22       #5: Drying wood in a tropical climate ...
Doug Terry Member

Thanks for the responses. I think I'll go with the solar option as there is no shortage of energy here to power it.

5/31/22       #6: Drying wood in a tropical climate ...
GeneWengert-WoodDoc

The DH kiln comes in all sizes and runs a different maximum temperatures. For example, the smallest DH is 3HP. I have seen 50 HP.. the small ones are limited to 115 F. The big ones can go over 160F.

The chamber for DH and solar uses many of the same techniques…insulated floor and walls, fans to blow air.


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