vacuum-drying

WTT vacuum-drying plant: quick drying and natural wood colors

WTT invented modern vacuum drying in the late 1970’s and has supplied more than 250 units over the years.

The vacuum-drying (VD) has 3 unique qualities which differentiate it from traditional kiln drying.

Firstly, it dryes 3 to 5 times faster than conventional kilns and at a lower energy consumption. In this way, VD offers high flexibility in meeting customer demands because of the short cycle time. 

VD is especially competitive for drying difficult hardwoods such as (pre-dried) oak and is primarily marketed in the hardwood industry where high and uniform quality is important, e.g. in furniture, flooring, kitchen, musical instruments etc. but also for construction.WTT recently dried WRC beams quickly and with good results.

Secondly, it does not darken the wood as traditional drying so that the e.g. beech wood remains completely white after drying; as demand for light rather than dark wood increases, demand for VD will increase.

Thirdly, VD is a closed system; a sawmill using traditional drying typically emit between 1.000 and 5.000 metric tons of VOC annually; in the VD, most of the turpentine is captured in the condensate. As environmental regulation increases in the future, VD will become more competitive.

The WTT modern wood vacuum-drying technology

High and uniform final quality

CAPACITY

From 16 m³ / charge

CYCLE TIME

Depending on the type of wood

WOOD SPECIES

Depending on the type of wood

DURABILITY OF WOOD

High and uniform final quality

Description

This plant is designed for using the super heated steam vacuum drying process (SSV). The SSV basic principle is to control the temperature and the pressure with the aid of steam pressure through which every desired relative humidity (balanced moisture) can be achieved.

In order to control the process exactly, an absolute vacuum is necessary. The SSV process works at 100-220 mbar and starts after an initial vacuum of 80 mbar.

When the desired initial vacuum is achieved, a heating of the wood takes place, controlled in accordance with a drying program through high performance ventilators.

With the aid of a cooling condenser, the water extracted from the wood is condensed. It is very important that the condensation takes place outside the dryer, so that all residual air is removed, to insure a drying free of wood color change.

The exact relative humidity is controlled with the temperature and steam until the desired final humidity of the wood is achieved.

With a conditioning phase and air equalization, the drying is concluded.

Advantages

In comparison with traditional drying and other vacuum systems, the WTT vacuum dryer offers great advantages

  • Modern vacuum-drying technology
  • Long-term experience on the market – over 250 units sold
  • Perfect solution for difficult to dry wood types
    (e.g. 65mm oak by 40-10% in 288 hrs)
  • High and uniform final quality of the wood, required especially in the hardwood industry (e.g. in furniture, flooring, kitchen, musical instruments, etc.)
  • Big dimensions – 120mm spruce/construction timber can be dried from 80-15% in 96 hrs
  • Fast delivery and flexibility
    (3-8 times quicker drying than conventional dryers)
  • The wood is dried without tensions
  • A very low final moisture content can be achieved, (e.g. 6% moisture)
  • Suitable for sensitive wood that tends to change colour – 100% oxygen-free drying through external condenser
  • The dried wood with have a very constant final moisture content, as desired

Thermo treatment photos