A cathodic protection system for use with a wood veneer dryer is provided. The system includes a DC power supply and an anode mounted inside the dryer in a position to be electrolytically coupled to metallic structures or surfaces inside the dryer when an electrolytic medium is present inside the dryer. The electrolytic medium comprises a high-humidity atmosphere. A method for reducing the corrosion of metallic structures or surfaces inside the dryer is further provided. The method comprises mounting an anode inside the dryer in a position to be electrolytically coupled to the metallic structures or surfaces inside the dryer when an electrolytic medium is present. Wood veneer is conveyed through the dryer and heated to a temperature sufficient to produce a high-humidity atmosphere inside the dryer. A controlled amount of current is supplied by the DC power supply to electrolytically couple the anode to the metallic structures or surfaces.

Embodiments provide a veneer dryer system and methods of constructing, relocating, and replacing veneer dryers and other constructs such as lumber kilns, machinery, and processing lines or parts thereof. Embodiments of a veneer dryer system may include a track and a veneer dryer movably coupled with the track. The track may extend between the desired location of the veneer dryer and a construction location. Movers may be coupled with the track at the construction location. The veneer dryer may be partially or fully constructed on the movers and moved to the desired location for use. A pre-existing veneer dryer at the desired location may remain operational during the construction and removed before the new veneer dryer is moved into place, substantially reducing downtime and costs as compared to prior methods of replacing veneer dryers.

Embodiments provide a veneer dryer system and methods of constructing, relocating, and replacing veneer dryers and other constructs such as lumber kilns, machinery, and processing lines or parts thereof. Embodiments of a veneer dryer system may include a track and a veneer dryer movably coupled with the track. The track may extend between the desired location of the veneer dryer and a construction location. Movers may be coupled with the track at the construction location. The veneer dryer may be partially or fully constructed on the movers and moved to the desired location for use. A pre-existing veneer dryer at the desired location may remain operational during the construction and removed before the new veneer dryer is moved into place, substantially reducing downtime and costs as compared to prior methods of replacing veneer dryers.

A process for producing nano veneers generally involving: placing a veneer to be treated in a vacuum vessel; adding a nano carbon powder and nano silicon dioxide suspension in the vacuum vessel; reducing the pressure in the vessel over a first period of time; increasing the pressure in the vessel; letting the contents of the vessel rest over a second period of time. The veneer may optionally be subjected to ultrasonic treatment, ultraviolet solidification treatment, or subsequent pressurization treatments to obtain the final nano veneer product. As a result, veneer manufactured using embodiments of the present invention will have the advantages of high strength, wear resistance, pollution resistance, acid and alkali resistance, water segregation and decay resistance.

An infeed rollcase for transporting an infeed object. The rollcase uses a split drive system to move infeed objects at varying speeds in different infeed decks of the infeed rollcase. By detecting the position of each infeed object along a front portion of each infeed deck, the drive speed of the split drive system is varied such that the infeed objects maintain a predetermined position (e.g., overlapping) with respect to a preceding infeed object.

Disclosed is a jet box for guiding an incoming air flow in drying of a veneer sheet. The jet box includes at least one jet nozzle. The jet nozzle includes a guide surface forming a three dimensional opening structure, which is limited at its first end to an inner opening and at its second end to an outer opening. The guide surface includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion substantially on a side of the incoming air flow is convexly curved outwards from the jet box and the second portion substantially on the opposite side of the opening structure in relation to the incoming air flow is concavely curved outwards from the jet box. Also disclosed is a dryer including at least one jet box.

An infeed rollcase for transporting an infeed object. The rollcase uses a split drive system to move infeed objects at varying speeds in different infeed decks of the infeed rollcase. By detecting the position of each infeed object along a front portion of each infeed deck, the drive speed of the split drive system is varied such that the infeed objects maintain a predetermined position (e.g., overlapping) with respect to a preceding infeed object.

A recirculating system for use with a green wood veneer dryer is provided. The recirculating system includes a duct connecting an input end seal chamber at an input end of a drying chamber to at least one fan disposed within the drying chamber. The at least one fan generates a negative pressure differential within the duct to redirect gases from the input end seal chamber to the drying chamber to maintain the pressure within the input end seal chamber within an accurate range of pressure external the veneer dryer. A method of drying green wood veneer is provided including recirculating gases from the input end seal chamber to the drying chamber and maintaining the pressure within the input end seal chamber within an accurate range of the pressure external the dryer.

Embodiments of a self-cleaning jet tube may include an elongate hollow body that is generally rectangular in cross-section and tapered from an open first end to a second end generally opposite the first end. The elongate hollow body may have an upper wall, a lower wall, side walls, a plurality of apertures arranged along the upper wall, an end plate coupled with the walls at the second end, and at least one through-slot. A through-slot may be disposed through the end plate or a wall, between the end plate and a wall, or between two walls. The jet tube may be configured for use with the through-slot(s) open and unblocked, thereby allowing debris to be expelled from the jet tube during operation of the jet veneer dryer. Corresponding systems and method are also provided herein.

A system and method for reducing moisture of a fibrous material includes applying microwave radiation combined with RF to the fibrous material to heat and evacuate moisture from the fibrous material during a heating cycle and optionally alternating heating cycles with drying/cooling cycles. The fibrous material can be, for example, sawn or dimensional lumber. The application of alternating microwave and RF in a controlled and continuous process advantageously mimics the heating, rewetting and drying cycles of a conventional kiln without the need for batch processing. Accordingly, a faster and more cost-efficient drying process is possible with no defects imparted to the wood in the process.