Abstract: A portable device and method for measuring enthalpy and humidity of humid air from a space or flow channel at temperatures from 80.degree. to 400.degree. F. is described. The device consists of a psychrometer for measuring wet-bulb temperature, a vacuum pump for inducing sample air flow through the unit, a water-heating system for accurate psychrometer readings, an electronic computer system for evaluation of enthalpy and humidity from corrected and averaged values of wet- and dry-bulb temperatures, and a monitor for displaying the values. The device is programmable by the user to modify evaluation methods as necessary.

Abstract: In a psychrometer for measuring the humidity of a gas flow, especially a gas flow having a temperature of above 100.degree. C., a flow of liquid is supplied to a wick surrounding the wet sensor via a preheater which heats the liquid to approximately the wet bulb temperature of the gas stream before the liquid comes into contact with the wet sensor, thereby avoiding cooling of the wet sensor by the liquid. The necessary preheating of the liquid can be achieved largely by heat exchange between the liquid and the gas flow downstream of the wet sensor; such heat exchange may be effected in part by using an auxiliary wick from which a portion of the liquid evaporates before the rest of the liquid reaches the main wick.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to control temperature and humidity in drying a material, for example green lumber, including a chamber to receive the lumber in stacked relation with air flow space between individual lumber pieces, a refrigeration system having a refrigerant compressor, evaporator and condenser where the condenser is disposed within the chamber, blower means to circulate air from the condenser over and through a stack of lumber, conduit means to communicate with the chamber for emission of air passing over the stack of lumber where the evaporator means is disposed to selectively receive the air flowing to the first conduit, solar cell means to receive radiant heat and having an inlet communicating with the first conduit and an outlet communicating with the chamber, third chamber means communicating with the first conduit and the chamber, damper means to selectively proportion air from the first conduit to the second and third conduits, controller means responsive to the temperature of the chamber to ope

Abstract: A process for darkening wood and thereby enhancing its surface characteristics is disclosed wherein wet wood is dried to about 6 percent moisture content in steam generated from the wood itself at temperatures from 215.degree. to 320.degree. F. and pressures from 15 to 40 psi whereby the wood is darkened through its thickness and thereby making the differentiation between earlywood and latewood in the wood more clearly observable than in wood not processed by this method and, thus, improves the wood grain quality.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for accelerated drying of green and partially dried lumber at pressures above atmospheric pressure to rapidly remove selected portions of moisture from the wood without degradation of the wood structure. A kiln for performing the method comprises a generally cylindrical kiln chamber to contain a stack of lumber, a by-pass line from the front to the back of the chamber to heat and distribute steam evenly to the lumber surfaces, a pressure-controlled steam vent to regulate kiln temperature, and temperature control to regulate the rate of drying. Conditions of pressure and temperature in the kiln can be regulated by heat added from an external source to equalize and condition the lumber rapidly in steam.

Abstract: A dryer is described, including elongated drying and steaming chambers through which wood to be dried travels. The wood is impinged with air and then steamed to a predetermined moisture content. Drying defects are minimized by humidity control, restraining devices to reduce warpage, and post-steaming of the wood for stress relief to reduce casehardening, checking, and collapse. The dryer is capable of adjusting to accept widely varying thicknesses of wood as well as long holdup times by the use of reversing switches on the drive to convey the wood through the dryer.