lumber manufacturing |
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Électrobois  In
November 2001, Forintek and the Laboratoire des Technologies
Électrochimiques et des Électrotechnologies d’Hydro Québec (LTEE)
joined forces to launch ÉlectroBois, a new initiative to develop
and transfer innovative electrical technologies for the wood products
industry.
The $3-million, 3-year research program, supported by the Quebec
Ministry of Natural Resources, is meant to cover several critical
aspects of wood drying and conversion. It brings together complementary
expertise at Forintek (wood conversion) and the LTEE (electrotechnology
and electrochemistry). Most of the R&D work is being carried
out at the LTEE lab in Shawinigan, Québec, but delivery of the program
is Forintek’s responsibility.
Various research areas have been identified. They deal with: (1)
Scaling up radio-frequency vacuum drying and transferring it to
industry; (2) Pressure drying; (3) Drying with high-temperature
heat pumps; and (4) Electrical bark thawing to facilitate debarking.
These topics were selected to respond to increasing market expectations,
particularly in the area of drying, now broadly recognised as a
major quality attribute for value-added wood products. The projects
also have the potential to radically modify hardwood lumber production
methods. Furthermore, they are expected to reduce energy consumption
and drying time, hence lumber storage time prior to drying. These
are all factors with significant impact on productivity, costs,
and product quality.
For more information on the ÉlectroBois program, contact Francis Fournier.
back to wood drying
14/05/08
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