Radio Fequency Drying

[Ironwood]

 :P :P  Does anyone have experience using a dryer of this nature? I am thinking  of a commercial set up to dry thick cants. I know they are costly and perhaps that will limit the FF members experience but ANY help in getting my "feet wet" on this would be greatly appriciated. REGARDS REID

[old3dogg]

Reid,
I use to operate 3 RF/V kilns.
Can you tell me who built them?
They are pretty costly to run.
The kilns that I had didnt dry very even.We used them to pre dry thick Red Oak squares.

[Den Socling]

Mike's 3 kilns were part of 8 that were built by a company called General Wood Processors. A.C. Weed was the president at the time but a guy named Delano Compton was involved. They were built in 1981 for a Belgium company called VELDA.

I believe that RF drying has been dead for a long time. I once was a fan but I discovered simpler, cheaper methods. HeatWave was a hold out but, I think they recently gave up the ghost.

Timbers were one product that might have kept RF viable but I discovered that I can change my methods and dry 8" x 10" timbers with heating plates.

[Ironwood]

Old3dog,

  Thanks for the response. The kiln that i will potentially have built will be for a specific custom application with very specific usage. I can't elaborate now as I am working thru some ideas to bring a prduct to market. I will keep you posted.

 

Den Socling,

  Thanks for the response. I did a little woodweb query last night on RF/V and you seem to be right, the last posts to the very technically involved threads were several years old.  I will be contacting you for design and application ideas after I get some release forms from the guys in "suits".


  Thanks again, Reid :P :P :P

[Den Socling]

Reid,

You have to sign a NDA (non-disclosure agreement) to talk to me.  : Guys with suits here, too.  :D

Den

[Ironwood]

Den, Not a problem. we all have ideas worth protecting.  ;)REID

[old3dogg]

Reid,
Those old Power Dry RF/V kilns are still sitting there if you want to have a look.They havent run in a long time but they are still intact.
Let me know and I can set it up to give you the 10 cent tour.
Please dont ask me how many plate amps or KW we used because I just dont remember.All I remember is that we would pull to 35 Torr and turn the PA up to get a desired water flow and keep the PA adjusted to keep the water flow within a desired range.
I may have some schedules around.I would have to look.
Mike.

[Ironwood]

OLD3DOG,

  Thanks for the offer. The venture will be of  a nature that we need new and servicable kilns. If it flies, I may be using PC Specialities. The money Dennis will make should allow him to take a nice vacation on me/"us" ;D ;D. I hope to work with him on the kilns needed. Again thanks, REID

[old3dogg]

It would be odd to see Den jumping back into the fire and brimestone but He would be a good choice.
And I will help out in any way I can.
Cooling water treatment and stuff.

[Ironwood]

OLD3DOG,

  Sorry, I should have clarified, I would be purchasing one of Den's pre-engineered models. I think this is how he currently does business.  That is to say he doesn't do custom designs anymore. I am somewhat more familiar with the vaccum process and was wondering with this thread if the RF offered anything I should look at. Thanks again, Reid