Air Drying of Chunkwood and Chips

Abstract

A new method of communicating wood has resulted in a new wood particle form called chunkwood, which is much larger than the common pulp-size chip. Chunkwood appears well suited for use as a fuel but nothing is yet known about its storage, drying, or combustion characteristics. This paper reports on two exploratory drying experiments we conducted to see whether chunks, with their much larger interparticle voids, dry more readily than chips. In one experiment we used natural convective ambient air to dry chunks and chips and found that chunks dried much faster than chunks. However, the chunks offered much less resistance to forced air flow and thus required less fan energy. We recommend that larger, more controlled studies be undertaken to further document the ambient drying characteristics of chunkwood as compared to chips.

Citation

Sturos, Joseph B.; Coyer, Lynne A.; Arola, Rodger A. 1983. Air Drying of Chunkwood and Chips. Research Note NC-293. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station