PDF Publication Title:
Text from PDF Page: 007
nearest gas line available was several hundred feet away and would require expensive excavation. Alternatively, the new boiler would have been close to the street front, allowing for new utility hookup. However, this too is expensive, and such an installation can require significant lead time with the local utility. An oil boiler was also considered to avoid the costly gas hookup, but was ultimately rejected due to the high cost of fuel oil, as well as expected permitting difficulties given New York City’s strict air-quality requirements. Permitting also prevented the use of a biomass boiler, which could have burned wood scraps generated on-site. The most feasible option was to extend the existing steam lines from an adjacent building, approximately 100 feet from the new kiln. To return the condensate back to the boilers, a condensate return pump would also be installed. The manufacturer stated that the maximum thermal capacity for this vacuum-kiln is a 200,000 Btu/hr heat rate. The typical drying cycle lasts for about 96 hours, thus the total heat required per kiln per drying cycle is approximately 229 therms, accounting for boiler efficiency and heat exchanger losses between the steam system and hot water kiln. Initial estimates were kept conservative, but the kiln is designed with trending and Internet connectivity so that performance can be monitored in real time. Electric consumption per board foot was found to drop from 1.28 to 0.39 kWh, a decrease of nearly 70%. Natural gas use consumption decreased by 77% from 0.247 to 0.058 therms per board foot. Utility savings amount to $83,000 per year, in addition to a one-time rebate incentive of $115,000 from local energy efficiency programs. With an estimated total project cost of $675,000, this results in a 6.7 year payback. Table 3 summarizes these results. Table 3. Savings results summary Parameter Electric consumption (kWh/bd ft) 1.28 Natural gas consumption (therm/bd ft) 0.247 Electric savings (as percent) Natural gas savings (as percent) Annual cost savings Installation cost Potential utility incentive Simple payback Conclusion Vacuum kiln 0.39 0.058 70% 77% $83,000 $675,000 $115,000 6.7 years Traditional kiln The installation of a vacuum kiln at Steinway represents a technology change from the existing wood drying method. The new kilns will offer a number of energy and non-energy benefits. Annual costs savings combined with state and utility energy efficiency incentives yield a payback of just under 7 years. Electric energy savings of 70% are expected while natural gas savings are anticipated to be 77%. Non-energy benefits will improve production efficiency and product quality. Through the increased control the vacuum kiln offers, checking is expected to be reduced, resulting in more usable wood per kiln load. The quicker kiln drying times allow for higher throughput and just-in-time production, reducing the need for stocking of finished 7PDF Image | Quick-dry Partial Vacuum System
PDF Search Title:
Quick-dry Partial Vacuum SystemOriginal File Name Searched:
Kiln-Upgrade-Study-at-Steinway.pdfDIY PDF Search: Google It | Yahoo | Bing
5,000 BF Shipping Container Lumber Dry Kiln For Quality Lumber The 5,000 BF container kiln consists of one 40 foot high-cube aluminum shipping container... More Info
Shipping Container Lumber Dry Kilns by Global Energy Global Energy designed and developed the container kiln back in 1991. The purpose is to give access to portable sawmill owners, furniture makers, and small business the value added profit of dry kiln lumber and quality hardwoods... More Info
Vacuum Kiln Conversion Kit for Lumber and Wood Dry Kilns Convert your existing conventional dry kiln into a fast drying vacuum kiln. Similar to vacuum bagging in the boat building and aircraft industry, we have come up with a proprietary process which allows you to build a very simple vacuum kiln at a fraction of the price, and without the intensive conventional metal chamber structure... More Info
Vacuum Pump Cart System for Bagging Clamping Wood Drying and more Vacuum Cart with 2HP Pump and Dual Pistons with multiple multiplex vacuum ports and liquid reservoir... More Info
Vacuum Bagging Basics Vacuum bagging is a method of clamping, which has traditionally been used in the composites industry, but can also be used for vacuum drying materials, including wood products... More Info
CONTACT TEL: 608-238-6001 Email: greg@globalmicroturbine.com (Standard Web Page)