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Virginia Tech Solar Kiln

Lumber is usually dried to a specific moisture content prior to further manufacturing or use. While lumber can be air-dried, the humidity in most localities prevents the lumber from reaching the moisture content required for the stability needed for interior use. The kiln discussed is designed to be inexpensive to construct and be simple to operate.

The solar kiln described was designed, constructed, and tested at Virginia Tech. This design is based on 25 years of research and development on the solar drying of lumber in the United States and foreign countries. Drawings for two versions of this kiln are available; one for 800-1,000 bd ft and the other for 1,500-2,000 board feet of lumber. Both kilns will dry a load of lumber in approximately one month of moderately sunny weather at its location in Blacksburg, VA.

While there are several different types of solar kilns for drying lumber, the kiln described here was designed with two major objectives in mind:

  1. The kiln must be relatively inexpensive to construct
  2. The kiln must be simple to operate
Drying lumber can be a complex process where accelerating drying without having quality loss often requires extensive knowledge and experience. The design of the Virginia Tech solar kiln is such that extensive knowledge, experience and control are not required. The size of the collector keeps the kiln from over-heating and causing checking and splitting of the wood. The kiln is simple to construct and utilizes a passive solar collector, four insulated walls and an insulated floor. The roof is made of clear, greenhouse rated, corrugated polyethylene.

Useful Links

  • Sixth Drying Lumber in a Solar Kiln
    April 23-24th, 2009 Blacksburg, VA

    This two-day program will be held in Blacksburg, VA (The Courtyard by Marriott). This intensive workshop introduces all the principles of drying hardwood and softwood lumber in a solar kiln. The course also contains information on the design and operation of solar kilns. Emphasis will be placed on the solar kiln design at Virginia Tech.

    Our solar kiln is onsite and will be used in the course. Whether you are considering building a solar kiln or are currently operating one, this short course will provide you information that will improve your lumber drying skills. There will be a tour of the solar kiln, located at the Brooks Center.

    Registration Opens January 15, 2009

  • Discussion Forum on Solar Kiln Operation

  • Introduction to solar assisted drying

Contact Information

Dr. Brian Bond
Email: bbond@vt.edu
Phone: 540-231-8752
FAX: (540) 231-8868
1650 Ramble Rd.
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0503

2008 Solar Lumber Drying Course a Success!

Dr. Brian Bond and Dr. Fred Lamb conducted the Sixth Drying Lumber with a Solar Kiln workshop on April 24-25th. The workshop was attended by fifteen individuals who traveled from North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and as far away as Michigan and Montreal, Canada. The workshop was held at the Courtyard by Marriott and introduced the principles of drying hardwood and softwood lumber in a solar kiln. Information on the design and operation of solar kilns was also presented. A tour to the Virginia Tech solar kiln, located at the Brooks Forest Products Center, was included. The participants where full of enthusiasm and all indicated that the course provided knowledge that would greatly benefit them as they move forward in expanding their businesses. We are already planning for next years course, to be held April 23-24, 2009.

Bill Lewis's Solar Kiln

Bill Lewis attended our 4th Solar kiln course in April, 2006.