Energy-efficient drying of sawn timber for green forestry

The project works in the area of the strategic research program CT WOOD CoE. CT WOOD is based at Luleå University of Technology, wood technology in Skellefteå, and behind the initiative is Skogsindustrierna / Swedish Wood, the Kempe Foundations, Skellefteå municipality and Luleå University of Technology, together with the industry.

Subject description

Wood Technology includes interdisciplinary research on wood material and industrial processes in the chain from forest to finished wood product. The research areas are wood anatomy, physics, chemistry and mechanics, as well as wood processing and product development, manufacturing technology, process optimization and visualization of wood products.

Project description

The sawmills' production consumes more than half of the forest harvested annually in Sweden, and they are crucial for the functioning of the forest-based value chain; an important aspect is that the sawmills contribute up to about 80% of the profit forest owners make on their forest. The Achilles heel for the sawmill process, and therefore also for all processing steps based on the raw material base sawn wood, is the high energy consumption in the drying of the wood in combination with low energy efficiency in this processing step. The purpose of the project is to be able to dry sawn timber in a controllable way and at the same time meet the quality requirements with minimal energy consumption. The aim is to build up new knowledge on wood drying and to develop a model of the drying process that will increase the understanding of the main mechanisms of wood drying. There are also great opportunities for industrial and international collaboration.

The PhD student working on this project is Ebrahim Hajian from Tehran-Iran. He holds a Master of Science and Technology from Iran University.

Why did you apply to the SUN Graduate School?

“SUN is a great opportunity to develop energy efficient productions to reduce their environmental impact, which is a critical global concern for our future.”

The SUN Graduate School is composed of an interdisciplinary group of PhD students, what do you think about it?

“It is great to contribute together with other Ph.D. students to a great team working to develop the green industry.”

How do you as a PhD student in SUN hope to contribute to the industrial and societal transition to reach the global goals?

“I hope that based on my project and my background in energy optimization and heat transfer, we optimize and develop modern methods for sustainable energy systems and that we move towards a green transition.”

Tell us something you know about Luleå and Northern Sweden?

“Northern Sweden is one of the most important regions for mining and wood with great potential for renewable energy industries, which we can explore and develop.”