Researching of airflow circulation system in wood drying kiln based on array fans

Abstract

This paper investigates the airflow circulation system based on array fans for wood drying kiln process incorporating the simulation of airflow patterns, velocity and pressure distributions. A description of the array-based airflow circulation system is presented, furthermore, by setting the mesh size, grid unit and boundary conditions appropriately with fluid tools and using the renormalisation group (RNG) k-e turbulence model theory, simulation experiments are established. The results are evaluated to demonstrate that the designed system can improve working efficiency and wood drying rate; in addition, it can also avoid the defects and energy wasting. The system developed in this study may be applied in industrial wood-drying kilns, with a clear potential for improved quality and increased speed of drying.