RF/vacuum wood drying kiln

The TLM method has been used to model the field distribution inside a prototype RF/vacuum kiln developed by the Council of Forest Industries (COFI) for drying softwood lumber. The vacuum chamber measured 13.7m in length, 3.6m in height and 4.0m in width. The RF generator operated on frequencies in the range 5-10MHz with a 350kW power output. The objectives of the work were to suggest modifications which could be made to the kiln to improve drying uniformity.

A cross-sectional view depicting the original configuration of the kiln is shown below:
kiln schematic
Two stacks, each of three packages were placed on either side of the hot electrode.

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J L Herring, 26 September 1996.