Method and apparatus for decreasing separation about a splitter plate in a kiln system

摘要

The kiln system for drying green lumber to a predetermined moisture content according to the present invention includes a kiln chamber for enclosing a charge of lumber, a fan in upper portions of the kiln chamber above the stacks of lumber to circulate air through the kiln chamber and through the lumber in the kiln chamber and an elongate splitter plate extending laterally from a leading edge in upper portions of the kiln chamber downwardly toward a sidewall of the kiln chamber to a trailing edge. The splitter plate includes a curved portion between the leading edge and the trailing edge for directing the circulating air along the splitter plate and then downward about a rectangular stack of lumber in the kiln chamber. The splitter plate further includes a number of projections extending outwardly from the leading edge for creating vortices in the air circulated by the fan. The increased vorticity of the air helps the circulating air to more closely follow the surface of the splitter plate downwardly about the lumber.