For the design of energy efficient dryers employing heat pump systems, the
dynamic response of the product to the kiln conditions must be taken into a
ccount. In this paper, the formulation of a dynamic, kiln-wide drying model
is described. The model solves the unsteady-state mass, momentum and energ
y balance equations for both the air flow and the wood boards in drying thr
ee types of stack: normal stack, aligned stack and staggered stack. In orde
r to represent the dynamical response of the system, the model equations pr
ovide more complete energy and mass balances than those presented in recent
publications. The transient profiles of the air humidity, temperature, pre
ssure, and velocity, and the wood temperature and moisture content along th
e air flow direction within the stack are obtained using this model. To ill
ustrate the use of the model, the drying processes of sapwood boards of Pin
us radiata under typical, dehumidifier kiln conditions have been calculated
, and the modelled results have been discussed in detail. In addition, the
model has been tested by using the performance data for a commercial scale
kiln. The agreement between the modelled and measured performance results s
hows that the model is suitable for the design and analysis of dehumidifier
wood dryers.