Given the fierce competition that exists in the lumber and wood industries, your company must set very high quality standards while optimizing the performance of its plant and industrial processes.

Hydro-Québec's consulting services can help you meet or exceed your requirements.

Having contributed to the successful implementation of over 200 projects involving lumber or wood applications, our experts are well positioned to understand your needs and expectations in the area of electrotechnologies and industrial processes and come up with effective solutions.

Main applications and potential benefits
Dehumidification

Heat pump with electric preheating

	Low-temperature drying process using a drying cell equipped with an electric preheating device and a heat pump that dehumidifies the air, recovers heat, and transmits it to the drying cell. Applications Benefits Drying processes: Hardwoods 2 in. thick or less (including white pine) Softwoods 3 in. thick or less Very high quality (original color, little or no checks or warping) Relatively low purchase price (approximately $3,500/1,000 bd. ft.) and installation cost Allows for variations in drying cell capacity Energy consumption at least 2 to 3 times less than that of conventional processes with similar drying cycles (0.8–1 kWh per kilogram of water evaporated, compared with 1.5–2.3 kWh/kg) Fire insurance costs 30% to 50% lower than conventional drying

Heat pump with fuel-fired preheating

	Low-temperature drying process using a conventional fuel-fired preheating system (accounting for approximately 15% of the total energy requirement) and a heat pump that dehumidifies the air, recovers heat, and transmits it to the drying cell. Applications Benefits Drying processes: Hardwoods 2 in. thick or less (including white pine) Softwoods 3 in. thick or less Very high quality (original wood color, little or no checks or warping, no mold) Relatively low purchase price ($4,000/1,000 bd. ft.) Use of low-temperature kilns, more economical to purchase, operate and maintain than conventional kilns Drying time comparable to high-temperature kilns Optimization of drying equipment possible without adding a boiler

Heating plates and resistances (heating blankets)

	Process whereby the wood is stacked between metal plates or heating blankets in which hot water circulates. Applications Benefits Drying processes: Hardwoods and softwoods up to 3 in. thick Particularly suitable for light-colored wood Short pieces for furniture or flooring Very high quality (original wood color, little or no checks, no warping) Suitable for small production volumes (kiln capacity of 500, 1,000 or 2,500 bd. ft.) Process 3 to 7 times faster than conventional drying Low energy consumption (approximately 0.8 kWh per kilogram of water evaporated)

High frequency (radio frequency)

	Process in which wood is stacked between metal plates in a vacuum chamber and heated by high-frequency waves that interact with the water content in the wood. Applications Benefits Drying processes: Hardwoods and softwoods over 2 in. thick (no limit) Drying of solidly stacked pieces for furniture, flooring and decorative items Particularly suitable for light-colored wood Excellent quality (original wood color, little or no checks or warping) Drying speed 8 to 15 times faster than conventional drying Combined drying of short and long pieces; no spacers required Quick drying of very thick pieces (less than 6 days for 24-in. pieces) Satisfactory energy consumption (approximately 1.3 kWh per kilogram of water evaporated) No need for equalizing or conditioning at the end of the drying cycle

Testimonials

	Wilfrid Paquet et fils For Wilfrid Paquet et fils, a hybrid kiln with heat pumps proved to be a very cost-effective choice for drying wood. More		IPB International IPB International's choice of heat pumps improved its wood-drying process quantitatively and qualitatively. More
	J.W. Goodfellow J.W. Goodfellow opted for an all-electric kiln and heat pumps to increase hardwood-drying productivity. More		Portes Lemieux Portes Lemieux streamlined its door-manufacturing process with shortwave infrared drying. More