December 10, lOlil 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



27 



90 per cent No. 6 iron oxide. 



10 per cent dry red lead. 



A small amount of drier. 



Enough genuine raw linseed oil to mix to proper consistency. 



Then after very carefully removing all previous paint and every bit 

 of rust and scale, he applied two coats of this oxide paint, carefully dry- 

 ing the first in about 115 degrees temperature, and after one year's hard 

 usage the condenser coils were still in very good condition. 



Simultaneous experiments were made with this paint on steam coils, 

 on the kiln walls (brick), on the kiln doors (wood), and the door irons 

 and on a number of hoards, which latter were exposed for one year on the 

 roof of a kiln building to the weather. The paint won out in every 

 instance against competing paints. 



The percentages stated are by weight. Two conditions are most essen- 

 tial for success to wit : JJaterials used in making the paint must be 

 genuine and of the very best, regardless of 'cost. Pipes must be cleaned 

 down to the metal, thoroughly dry and dust free. , 



Question 2. — ^Best LocatioiL for the Hygrometer 



I am held responsible for the proper kiln drying of a fair annual quan- 

 tity of oak, birch, elm. chestnut and gum lumber running from 4/4 to S/4 

 thickness. This we dry in some Grand Rapids ventilating and some 

 Perkins condensing kilns. All are of the compartment type. 



We use the cross-piling system and I am at a loss as to the proper 

 location of the hygrometers in these kilns. 



The Perkins kilns have double canvas doors, while the Grand Rapids 

 kilns have Hussey doors. One kiln only of each kind has openings 

 through the side wall, giving a chance for introduction of the hygrometer. 



What chance have I to obtain correct temperature and humidity 

 information'; Are there any suggestions? Please help a fellow willing 

 but unable. KILX OPERATOR. 



Answer to Question 2 



You have indeed a problem, like so many operators of compartment 

 kilns with cross-piling system. 



Hygrometer readings which do not give the actual condition in the kiln 

 are worse than useless, because they are misleading. 



Three important conditions control the proper location of the 

 hygrometer in any kiln. These are : 



First — The hygrometer should he located so that the dry and wet 

 bulb temperatures indicated by it shall represent the condition of the 

 air when it is entering the lumber piles. 



Second — The hygrometer must be located in "moving" air in order 

 that a sufficient amount of evaporation may take place from the wick of 

 the wet bulb to the full capacity for absorption of the kiln air. 



Third — The hygrometer must be sufficiently removed from any fresh 

 air supply currents or air currents of infiltration through cracks in 

 walls or doors. Also from cold walls or doors, and likewise from all 

 influence of heat radiation of steam pipes or cool air flowing from con- 

 densers. 



This is quite a prescription, hard to fill in most ordinary kilns, particu- 

 larly if you are using the cross-piling system. You will probably be unable 

 to fulfill any of these three conditions fully, and may have to accept the 

 best you can get in a situation which you are not guilty of. 



Try to place a car of shorter lumber into the position next to the door, 

 this lumber so piled that the greater free space will be left next to the 

 wall where there are no ventilators or condenser coils. This will enable 

 you to pass by the first car into the space between it and the second car. 



Arrange a suitable stick, laid across from first to second car, near the 

 top, and secure this stick so that it cannot move, and suspend your 

 hygrometer from this stiek by a good flexible cord, so that you can read the 

 thermometers when standing upright. The cord should then enable you to 

 swing the hygrometer between the piles, pendulum fashion, creating a 

 reasonable amount of air movement over the bulbs, which will not be ideal 

 hut which will be much better than still air. The location will fulfill the 

 third condition quite well. 



In case you do, as you should, pile the lumber with a center chimney, 

 about 16" to IS" wide at the bottom, and gradually closing toward the 

 top, then you can attach the cord to a special sticker near the top, tie a 

 suitable hook to the bottom of this cord, provide an opening between the 

 end stickers by cutting away one or two of same, and thus introduce the 

 hygrometer, fulfilling the first condition by placing the instrument into the 

 air current which enters the luml)er,*but you will not be able to swing it 

 quite so far as in the first case, because the stickers will prevent this. 



If you are using an ordinary hygrometer this should be in the kiln and 

 In position at least fifteen minutes before any attempt is made to read it, 

 and if you will swing it as advised five minutes before reading your read- 

 ing may be nearer the truth. 



A hygrometer with a motor fan attachment driven liy a lighting current 

 is ideal, but cannot always be commanded. The same kind of a hygrometer 

 with a motor fan driven from a single cell battery is not advisable, because 

 the weak current of the battery is quickly absorbed by the short circuit 

 caused by moisture of the kiln, and the fan slows down and eventually 

 stops. 



Such are the difficulties opposing proper temperature and humidity 

 readings by the operator in cross-piled kilns, but the same are not insur- 

 mountable to system and will power, and the results will in the end justify 

 the trouble and pains taken. XYLOS. 



High Humidity 

 Dry Kiln 



Circulation in Dry Kilns 



It must be constant. 

 It must be uniform. 

 It must convey automatically 



humidified air. 

 It must convey automatically 



tempered air. 



Remember: 



It IS good times when money 

 circulates freely — it is good 

 DRYING times when air 

 circulates freely. 



"The Kiln with the Circulation 

 You Can Understand" 



HAVE' YOU WRITTEN FOR YOUR 

 COPY OF OUR NEW CATALOGUE 



Largest Factory in the World Devoted to the Manufacture of Air 

 Moving Equipment 



B. F. STURTEVANT COMPANY 

 HYDE PARK, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 



Atlanta, Ga., Boston, Mass., Chicago, III., New York, N. Y. . 

 Philadelphia, Pa., Rochester, N. Y., Seattle, Wash., 

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