- Single & Double Track Kilns
With installations around the globe, the Wellons’ track-loading lumber dry kilns have proven drying reliability and accuracy. Years of research and development have yielded greater control of the drying process resulting in the reduction of lumber degrade and faster, more uniform drying. As a leader in providing state-of-the-art track-loading lumber dry kilns, we offer our customers proven and performing technology available along with superior customer service.
Track Kilns
Structure
Track Kilns
Heat Media Options
Track Kilns
Venting System
Track Kilns
Fan System
Track Kilns
Features & Options
Track Kilns
Structure & Cladding
The kiln structure can be made from mild steel, aluminum or stainless steel (or a hybrid of the three) depending on the corrosive environment in the kiln and the desired life expectancy.
The interior and exterior surfaces of the wall, roof, and door panels are clad with high grade aluminum. Rigid board insulation with a high R value provides excellent thermal efficiency and high temperature performance.
Lumber Dry Kilns
Heat Media Options
- Indirect Heat Systems
Wellons kiln Indirect Heating Systems include Steam, Thermal Oil, or Hot Water as the heat medium. The heating systems are divided into stations and zones within the kiln for precise lumber drying.
Steam Heat
The steam heating system receives steam into a supply header from a boiler system which branches into several controlled zones. Each zone is controlled by either a pneumatic or electric valve which controls the flow rate of steam to each coil bank. Each coil bank is individually trapped and drains to a condensate return system. Humidity is vented through automatically controlled vents. Wellons designs kilns for high pressure or low pressure steam depending on the drying application.
Thermal Oil & Hot Water
Thermal oil or hot water is pumped from the respective supply via a Primary Loop which sends and receives the fluid to and from the kiln or bank of kilns. The fluid is directed to a header at each kiln where 2-way control valves adjust the fluid rate to the coil banks. Each valve and coil bank make up a zone within the kiln. The coil banks are fabricated of continually-welded, serpentine coils (fin pipe). The fluid is returned to the pumping system to reheat the fluid and return it back to the kiln.
Heating Coils
Wellons manufactures their own standard and high heat release coil banks. Many options of fin pipe are available based on heating requirements of the customer, including:
33 wraps per foot, Sch 40 2” pipe
48 wraps per foot, Sch 40 2” pipe
60 wraps per foot, Sch 40 2” pipe
All Aluminum/Stainless Steel fin pipe
- Direct-Fired Heat Systems
Direct-Fired systems circulate hot gases throughout the kiln utilizing down-comers and a supply and return ducting system. Direct-Fired heating systems receive hot gases from a supply burner. The gases are directed through overhead supply ductwork into the kiln and distributed throughout using down-comers along the length of the kiln. The gases are directed and controlled in the down-comers utilizing a series of adjustable dampers. Excess gases are directed through return ducting into the recirculating fan. Heat supply options include Direct-Fired Biomass, Natural Gas, or Propane.
Track Kiln
Venting System
The exclusive Wellons line-shaft venting system is designed to relieve internal kiln pressures, maintain balanced humidity control, and give fail-safe implosion protection. The vents are fully modulating and are operated independently from side-to-side, which prevents over-venting and allows for Wellons Demand Venting feature. Manual adjustment of vent linkages is accomplished safely from within the kiln in the fan chamber — there is no vent hardware outside on the kiln roof, which eliminates the need to have personnel on the roof.
Track Kiln
Fan System
- Air Flow
Desired airflow (typically 1,000 to 1,200 fpm) can be achieved through a variety of fan configurations. The fans can be configured in a Single Air Pass configuration (2 fans on a single cross-shaft) or a Double Air Pass configuration (1 fan on a single cross-shaft).
Single Air Pass
Double Air Pass
- Motor Mounts
The track kiln fans can be configured with walkway eave mounted motors, peak mounted motors, or in-kiln motors depending on the customer’s preference and the airflow requirements of the system.
Eve Motors
In-Kiln Motors
Peak Motors
- Fans
The fans are industrial grade, all aluminum, fully reversible, adjustable pitch propeller blade fans. Wellons uses 72” 6-blade, 76” 8-blade, or 84” 12-blade Smithco fans to achieve its air flow performance.
The fan shaft bearings are fitted with convenient external lubrication fittings to facilitate preventative maintenance.
- Baffles
A variety of baffles are provided to keep airflow directed through the lumber and prevent air passage around the load. Ceiling, floor, and end-wall baffles are standard equipment.
The wall and ceiling baffles can be fitted with brush baffles to improve isolation of the kiln chambers and provide longer life to the fixed baffles.
Track Kilns
Features & Options
Wellons proprietary in-kiln Moisture Measurement System (TRUMARK) provides accurate moisture content measurement above and below fiber saturation. It is fully integrated into the Wellons Winkiln kiln control software providing accurate kiln shutdown when final moisture content is reached. TRUMARK also allows the operator to control the schedule based on real moisture content. This ensures optimal drying performance and grade recovery.
