METHOD OF COMBINED DRYING OF LUMBER Russian patent published in 1998 - IPC

FIELD: lumber drying technology. SUBSTANCE: drying is effected with heated air and microwave energy. Treatment of lumber is effected in cyclic mode of operation. First, moisture is removed from lumber surface with the aid of warm air creating moisture gradient over its cross section, after which microwave energy is delivered to lumber which heats lumber through entire thickness. Microwave energy causes intensive transfer of moisture to surface. At last stage, lumber is intensively blown out to evaporate moisture and form moisture field at which surface is finally dried, thus preparing lumber for next cycle of intensive action of microwave energy. EFFECT: enhanced efficiency of method for drying valid wood species.