Method for drying wood.

The invention relates to a method of drying wood in a drying chamber, wherein a drying medium, for instance air, is circulated through a batch of wood placed in the drying chamber in a wood-drying process. The drop in temperature of the drying medium is measured in conjunction with passage of

the drying medium through the wood batch, and the temperature drop therewith obtained is used to control or regulate the state of the circulating drying medium with regard to its moisture content and temperature, for instance. The dry temperature and the wet temperature of the circulating dry medium are also measured in the proximity of the wood batch, and the temperature information therewith obtained is also used to control or regulate the state of the circulating drying medium with regard to its moisture content and temperature, for instance. According to the invention, the drying process rakes place in a plurality of different phases (phases II-V) with varying control or regulating interaction between dry temperature drop, dry temperature, and wet temperature.

ISSUE DATE: 08/24/99. INVENTOR(S): Moren; Tom, Skellefte, Sweden. ASSIGNEE(S): Utec Sm Ab. FILING DATE: 05/21/98. NUMBER OF CLAIMS: 8. PATENT NUMBER: 5940984.