Abstract: Systems and methods for treating wood products are provided. The methods comprise preconditioning the wood product by irradiating one or more surfaces of the wood product with infrared (IR) and/or ultraviolet (UV) radiation and subsequently treating the wood product. The systems comprise one or more fixtures positioned to irradiate one or more surfaces of the wood product with IR and/or UV radiation, wherein each fixture comprises a reflector and a radiation source.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating wood products are provided. The methods comprise preconditioning the wood product by irradiating one or more surfaces of the wood product with infrared (IR) and/or ultraviolet (UV) radiation and subsequently treating the wood product. The systems comprise one or more fixtures positioned to irradiate one or more surfaces of the wood product with IR and/or UV radiation, wherein each fixture comprises a reflector and a radiation source.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating wood products are provided. The methods comprise preconditioning the wood product by irradiating one or more surfaces of the wood product with infrared (IR) and/or ultraviolet (UV) radiation and subsequently treating the wood product. The systems comprise one or more fixtures positioned to irradiate one or more surfaces of the wood product with IR and/or UV radiation, wherein each fixture comprises a reflector and a radiation source.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Baffle systems for conveyor-type dryers and methods of replacing baffle seal strips for improving dryer safety and/or efficiency are provided. The systems include one or more baffles removeably mounted to the dryer. Each baffle has at least one seal strip for contacting a roller of the dryer to prevent gases from entering and/or exiting the dryer. The baffles are removable from the dryer so that the seal strips can be replaced and/or adjusted when the seal between a given seal strip and a contacting roller become compromised. To replace and/or adjust a seal strip, the baffle is removed from the dryer and a new baffle is installed in its place. The one or more seal strips of the removed baffle may be replaced and/or adjusted outside the dryer at the leisure of the operator.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Baffle systems for conveyor-type dryers and methods of replacing baffle seal strips for improving dryer safety and/or efficiency are provided. The systems include one or more baffles removeably mounted to the dryer. Each baffle has at least one seal strip for contacting a roller of the dryer to prevent gases from entering and/or exiting the dryer. The baffles are removable from the dryer so that the seal strips can be replaced and/or adjusted when the seal between a given seal strip and a contacting roller become compromised. To replace and/or adjust a seal strip, the baffle is removed from the dryer and a new baffle is installed in its place. The one or more seal strips of the removed baffle may be replaced and/or adjusted outside the dryer at the leisure of the operator.

Abstract: A process for separation of a target ion from a fluid mixture containing the ion as well as a fluid non-ionic component includes flowing a mixture of the fluid and the ion through a separation zone containing positive and negative plates. The positive plate has a surface layer of negative polarity and the negative plate has a surface layer of positive polarity. An electrical potential is applied across the plates using a selected voltage. The mixture flows along at least one of the positive and negative plates such that target ions are attracted to the plate of opposite charge caused by the electrical potential. At the selected voltage, the surface layers of the positive plate and negative plates having the same polarity as an attracted positive or negative ion has surface groups that repel the attracted ions as they flow past the plate surface.