Industrial heat pump-assisted wood drying

Description

This book discusses conventional as well as unconventional wood drying technologies. It covers fundamental thermophysical and energetic aspects and integrates two complex thermodynamic systems, conventional kilns and heat pumps, aimed at improving the energy performance of dryers and the final quality of dried lumber. It discusses advanced components, kiln energy requirements, modeling, and software and emphasizes dryer/heat pump optimum coupling, control, and energy efficiency. Problems are included in most chapters as practical, numerical examples for process and system/components calculation and design. The book presents promising advancements and R&D challenges and future requirements--  Read more... Abstract: "A CRC title, part of the Taylor & Francis imprint, a member of the Taylor & Francis Group, the academic division of T&F Informa plc."  Read more... Content: Introduction -- The wood -- Moisture in wood -- Moist air -- Importance of drying wood -- Wood drying methods -- Mechanisms of lumber drying -- Kiln-wide lumber drying -- Heat pump-assisted -- Heat pump systems for drying -- Refrigerants and lubricants -- Heat exchangers without phase changes -- Moisture condensers -- Refrigerant-to-air condensers -- Heat pump modeling -- Case studies -- Present and future R&D challenges.