Frequently asked questions about TROCKNNER wood dryers

Are dehumidifying dryers more expensive to run?

In reality, they are much less expensive. First, a dehumidifying dryer is much more energy efficient, thus drastically reducing operating costs compared to a conventional dryer. Additionally, with a conventional dryer you have to amortize a higher cost of the boiler and pay additional insurance, you have higher handling and labor costs for its operation. When you add it all up, dehumidifying dryers are often much cheaper.

Which dryer is faster?

For high quality hardwoods and softwoods, a properly sized dehumidifier will dry as quickly as a conventional dryer. With a TROCKNNER dehumidifying system that operates at temperatures from 10 - 80°C, you can match almost any drying time in a conventional dryer.

What are TROCKNNER dehumidifiers like?

TROCKNNER systems have a unique self-regulating feature. Which increases the operating efficiency of the system and allows the dehumidifier to operate at temperatures as high as 75 - 80°C. No other dehumidification system sold in Chile has this feature, nor can it operate in the wide temperature range that TROCKNNER systems handle. Notably, the system constantly monitors the temperature of the air leaving the cooling coil and modulates the airflow over the coil to maximize water removal from the system. This keeps the dehumidification cycle running at optimum efficiency and minimizes electricity usage. The modulating feature also carefully controls the temperature of the refrigerant returning to the compressor, preventing overloading or overheating and extending the life of the refrigeration system.

How important is airflow?

Airflow in the chamber is very important. The velocity of the air over the wood affects the speed of drying and provides uniform drying. The air velocity in the dryer should be appropriate for the species and thickness of the wood you are drying and the type of dryer you are using. Generally, wetter wood requires higher air velocity through the wood pile.

Should the fans turn back?

Fans are usually reversed on larger dryers. This prevents uneven drying by forcing air into the woodpile first from one direction and then from the other. It also corrects air dead spots that can result from the way the wood is stacked. Timber stacked deeper than 15 feet in the direction of airflow should generally have reversing fans. If the woodpile is less than 15 feet, reversing the fans will not make any significant difference to drying.

What size dryer do I need?

The first step is to project how much wood will dry in a year. Then calculate your average drying time for each of the species you will be drying, and from there you can calculate the size of dryer you need.

For example, if your requirement is to dry 70,000 inches of radiata pine in a year and the drying time is 2-5 days, but an average drying time of 4 days is considered, the minimum loads in a year is 91 This implies that each load must be 769 inches of wood to deliver the 70,000 inches of wood needed for the year.

It is not a good idea to mix species, thicknesses or moisture contents of wood in a dryer, as all wood will have to be dried on the slowest drying thickness and species schedule. All the wood in the dryer will dry at the same rate and the moisture content will be equalized in the charge. Therefore, if you are going to dry multiple species and thicknesses of wood throughout the year, it is better to use smaller chambers rather than one large one, so that you can keep each species and thickness in its own dryer. If you are drying air-dry lumber and everything is below 25% moisture content, you can mix species without a problem.

It usually doesn't cost much more to have two smaller dryers than one large one, and the benefits of flexibility, loading times, and control of drying processes will favor several smaller chambers over one large one. If you are only drying one species and thickness of wood in a month, a single dryer would be appropriate. Please contact TROCKNNER to discuss the different size options.

How is the dryer chamber built?

The dehumidification dryer chamber is built with insulating panel and stainless steel. It is important that the chamber is airtight and insulated. Generally, the proper dryer size for your business must first be determined. So the camera is designed around that size. A well-insulated, airtight chamber serves two important purposes; one is to allow as much heat recovery as possible and the other is to prevent damage to the wood that can result from heat loss when air leaks. Proper insulation is just as critical in hot weather as it is in cold weather.

How profitable are TROCKNNER machines?

Consider this example. Suppose that a 1" x 4" x 320cm green sized Pine board sells in Chile for $1,890* and the same species of wood, but with a seasoning treatment sells for $2,790*. The costs to dry that board with TROCKNNER dryers range from 150 to 200 (depends on the size of the dryer). Using these numbers, your highest profit per board is $900 - $150 = $750 per board. *Reference prices 01/2023

We will also assume that the dryer required for your company size is the TROCK-WOOD 18 model, which costs $ 41,824,375 + VAT . This model is capable of drying a maximum of 71,344 inches of wood per year or 204,840 boards of 1” x 4” x 320cm and its drying cost per board is $150, we will also assume that it will pay for itself in five years. The amortization of the equipment and the camera is approximately $9,954,200 per year. Your potential annual profit is:

(204,840 x $750) - $9,954,200 = $143,675,800

Test this equation with numbers from your own market, and then do the math with our competition. Remember to use the annual production with the correct removal of moisture content. You'll find that among equally priced units, TROCKNNER dryers outperform the competition. Because? Because TROCKNNER systems have larger compressors for higher capacity and patented technology for higher efficiency over a wide operating range.

Do the math yourself. It won't take long to see which company offers the most value and return on your investment.

When it comes to quality, service and value, count on TROCKNNER Dryers!