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Seasoning Timber

1. There are two main methods for seasoning timber - natural (air) seasoning and artificial seasoning using kiln drying. 2. Natural seasoning involves stacking cut timber in open air to allow moisture to evaporate slowly over 1-4 years, while kiln drying uses controlled heat and humidity in specialized chambers to rapidly dry timber in a short time. 3. Kiln drying allows precise control over temperature, humidity, and air circulation to remove moisture evenly and achieve very low moisture content around 6% compared to 16-17% for air drying.

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27 views

Seasoning Timber

1. There are two main methods for seasoning timber - natural (air) seasoning and artificial seasoning using kiln drying. 2. Natural seasoning involves stacking cut timber in open air to allow moisture to evaporate slowly over 1-4 years, while kiln drying uses controlled heat and humidity in specialized chambers to rapidly dry timber in a short time. 3. Kiln drying allows precise control over temperature, humidity, and air circulation to remove moisture evenly and achieve very low moisture content around 6% compared to 16-17% for air drying.

Uploaded by

F2007 Kamaleswaran
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Objectives of Seasoning of Timber.

We may Summarize the objectives of seasoning of timber in five


sentences:

1. Reduces much of the useless weight of timber;


2. Increases its strength considerably;
3. Improves the workability of the timber;

Methods of Seasoning of Timber.


At present timber can be seasoned by a number of methods. These can be
conveniently discussed under two headings:

1. Natural Seasoning,
2. and artificial seasoning
1. Natural Seasoning of Timber.
Air Seasoning of Timber.
This is as yet the most common process of seasoning of timber used
throughout the world.

In this process, timber sleepers, planks, etc., cut from the wood logs are
stacked in the open air.

This method requires careful preparation of;

(a) Stock ground: It should be level, free from debris and on dry land. It
may be a few “cm” below the ground level.
(b) Stack Pillars: These are constructed at regular intervals out of bricks or
masonry or concrete and may be of 50 cm height from the ground level.
Their top surfaces should be flat and level with each other.
(c) Stack Proper. These are made of sawn timber shapes (sleepers,
planks). One stack should have timber of one shape and same length and
width.
The timber shape to be seasoned is stacked in layers in such a manner
that:

1. enough space is left between one layer and another layer


above it;
2. enough space is left between one part and another part in the
sum layer:
3. enough space is left between one stack and another stack.
The stack length and height depend upon the length of the wood part being
seasoned. A single stack may be 3 to 4 meters in height.

The most essential consideration in making such a stack is ensuring free


circulation of air around each part of the wood placed in a stack.

It is also essential that the stack should be safe from direct winds and direct
scorching heat. This is because, in air seasoning of timber, the loss of
water is due to evaporation.

Watch the Video Below for better understanding.


The rate of evaporation will depend to a great extent on the atmospheric
conditions. Efforts should be made to maintain a uniform rate of
evaporation.

Scorching heat and strong winds can cause excessive evaporation that
may lead to the development of shrinkage cracks.

The seasoning stack should also be protected from rains because wood
being hygroscopic material can absorb moisture quickly.

Outline of Stacking Arrangement: The time taken for air seasoning of


timber depends on climatic conditions and thickness of the timber. It may
take 1-4 years to bring down the moisture content to 16-17 percent level.
The advantages of natural (air) seasoning are:
1. It is highly economical;
2. It requires little supervision;
3. It is applicable to thicker timber parts as well as a thin section.
Disadvantages of Air Seasoning:
Among the major disadvantages, following are more important:

1. It is a very slow process;


2. It keeps the valuable land and timber blocked for longer
periods (and hence in some cases may be uneconomical).
3. Moisture content cannot be brought below a certain limit (16-17
percent).
4. Seasoning is not always uniform in all the sections of timber.
3. Artificial Seasoning of Timber (Kiln).

There have 5 various seasoning of timber are as following:


1. BOILING
2. CHEMICAL SEASONING
3. ELECTRICAL SEASONING
4. KLIN SEASONING
5. WATER SEASONING
KLIN SEASONING METHOD
1) THE TIMBER IS ARRANGED IN THE CHAMBER SUCH THAT
SPACES ARE LEFT FOR FREE CIRCULATION OF AIR.
2) THE AIR WHICH IS FULLY SATURED WITH MOISTURED AND
WHICH IS HEATED TO A TEMPARATURE OF ABOUT 35”C TO
38”C IS THEN FORCED INSIDE THE CHAMBER BY SUITABLE
ARRANGEMENT.
3) THE FORCED AIR IS ALLOWED TO CIRCULATE AROUND THE
TIMBER PIECES.AS AIR IS FULLY WITH MOISTURE, THE
EVAPORATION FROM THE SURFACE OF TIMBER PIECES
PREVENTED. THE HEAT GRADUALLY REACHES INSIDE THE
TIMBER PIECES.
4) THE RELATIVE HUMIDITY IS NOW GRADUALLY REDUCED.
5) THE TEMPARATURE THEN RAISED AND MAINTAINED TILL
THE DESIRED DEGREE OF MOISTURE CONTENT IS
ATTAINED.
This is the modern method of seasoning any type of timber in a short time.

It involves drying the timber in a specially designed kiln where there is


perfect control over temperature, humidity and air circulation.

With the help of kiln seasoning of timber, it is possible to reduce the


moisture content to as low level as 6 percent.

Advantage

 Most effective and economic seasoning.

Precautions During Seasoning of Timber


Following precautions should be followed during timber seasoning.

 The removal of moisture should be done at maintained


environment conditions during seasoning.
 The rate of extraction of moisture should be equal for all the logs
because there is the chance of irregular shape due to
differentiated dryness.
 During air seasoning, seasoned timber should be protected from
high humidity and rain exposure.
 For easy and uniform passing of air and water s a suitable gap
between logs should be kept.

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