Future of Membrane Technology in the Pulp and Paper Industry, 1999 Environmental Conference Proceedings

Two lumber drying kilns (one direct-fired and one steam-heated) were tested for volatile organic compounds usingthe water mass balance (WMB) approach. The objective of the testing was to measure the emission factor(lb/MMbf) for total hydrocarbons (by flame ionization analyzer), methanol, and formaldehyde from SouthernYellow Pine dimensional lumber during the drying cycle. The WMB approach was selected as the most appropriatemethod due to the kiln construction and operation.

The WMB approach relates parameter emission rates to the moisture content of the vented gas. The approach theoryand calculations are described. Reference test methodology was used for all measurements. The WMB approachprovides a viable procedure to measure lumber drying kiln VOC emissions. The greatest variability is in measuringthe lumber moisture loss during drying (which directly affects the results).

The testing produced results comparable to those reported in the open literature for similar wood species. Resultsfrom the water mass balance approach (~ 2 lb THC/MMbf) compared favorably with the carbon mass balanceapproach on the direct-fired kiln. The moisture loss measurements were more variable than expected.