Researchers at The George Washington University have developed an innovative solar hybrid dryer for drying biochar, lumber, coffee, cocoa and agricultural products. In particular, the invention relates to a kiln for drying wood, wood products, and agricultural products. The new drying technology will significantly decrease the amount of time spent on drying and dependence on weather.
Every year, lumber producers spend millions of dollars on energy to heat wood drying kilns. Hybrid kilns would improve fuel efficiency and deliver cost savings, thereby helping the forestry industry cut energy costs. This solar hybrid kiln utilizes a novel solar energy collector previously used to pre-heat air for ventilation and crop drying. A solar air heater is used to take heat out of the air and to redistribute and recirculate it throughout the kiln, essentially cancelling the need for natural gas or any other source of energy.
The inventors have conceived a system consisting of an array of temperature and humidity sensors strategically positioned throughout the drying system (e.g. at the solar air heater, at the interior space defined by the kiln, and at the space exterior to the hybrid kiln). A controller is provided to receive data signals from the sensors and to send control data signals to the one or more heater fans, the one or more circulation fans and the one or more dehumidifiers. The controller controls the fans and the one or more dehumidifiers based on computer executable instructions or other control means.
Applications:
1. Drying of biochar, lumber, coffee, cocoa and agricultural products
Advantages:
1. The new method saves considerable amount of time, improves fuel efficiency and delivers costs savings
2. Prevents disruption of the rate of drying based on the variations in the environmental conditions throughout the seasons
