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Oct 25, 2024

Nyle Dry Kilns Heat Recovery Vent (HRV) Optimizes Drying, Makes Kiln Operation More Sustainable | Timberline Magazine

by Diane Calabrese | Sep 4, 2024 | Lumber Drying BREWER, Maine – Save energy, reduce lumber drying costs, and improve lumber quality at the same time. Now, that’s a good outcome. The Nyle Systems HRV

by Diane Calabrese | Sep 4, 2024 | Lumber Drying

BREWER, Maine – Save energy, reduce lumber drying costs, and improve lumber quality at the same time. Now, that’s a good outcome.

The Nyle Systems HRV (Heat Recovery Vent) dynamic heat exchanger makes the outcome possible. In addition, it contributes to the environmental goal of sustainability.

Nyle’s HRV became available to customers in 2021. “Heat recovery has been around for a number of years,” noted Adam Duplisea, vice president of sales, “but Nyle’s HRV, units which sit on the ground, have been a game changer for kiln operations.” With the units on the ground, they are safer and easier to service, which leads to less downtime and maximizes efficiency.

Nyle designed its HRV to adapt to almost any kiln design. Ground-level configuration eliminates the need to access a kiln roof to maintain the system. That makes it simpler, safer.

“The HRV captures and reuses heat that would otherwise be lost during the drying process using an internal heat exchanger,” said Adam. “By recycling this heat, the heat recovery vent significantly cuts energy consumption and operating costs, making kiln operation more sustainable and eco-friendly, and ensuring a high-quality final product.”

The Nyle Systems Heat Recovery Vent (HRV) uses an internal heat exchanger to capture and reuse heat that would otherwise be lost during the drying process – reducing energy consumption and operating costs. The system has a capacity to vent at 5,000 cubic feet per minute. It controls the flow of heat, air and moisture so the lumber dries evenly. The evenness in drying produces high quality lumber and reduces lumber degrade.

With carbon credits increasingly in the offing, companies that adopt an HRV potentially realize another gain. They may be eligible for carbon credits, according to Adam.

The Nyle HRV was designed for flexibility in retrofitting existing kilns. “The HRV can be retrofitted to any kiln manufacturer’s equipment,” said Adam, “whether it is a package or track kiln.”

For package kilns the installation of the HRV is generally on the back. For track kilns installation is most often on the side. In either case, location of the HRV is carefully analyzed by Nyle in order to ensure maximum efficiency for the customer.

The Nyle HRV also provides flexibility with regard to energy sources. “It works with a variety of energy sources, including biomass, steam or hot water, natural gas, and propane-fired kiln systems,” said Adam.

In the current economic climate, with high inflation for several years, there is one question that Nyle keeps hearing from customers, said Adam: “How can we optimize our dry kilns and be more efficient?”

“In most cases, the easiest upgrade and one of the shortest paybacks is by installing Nyle’s heat recovery vents,” said Adam. Whether the customer wants to reduce fuel consumption or energy costs, achieve shorter drying cycles, carbon credits or better quality lumber, the Nyle HRV can be the solution. Return on investment is usually less than one year, according to Adam.

The Nyle HRV reduces fuel consumption by at least 15 percent – a significant savings on energy costs. It achieves energy savings by recovering more than 80 percent of heat that would otherwise be lost. The dynamic heat exchanger at the core of the Nyle HRV makes it possible to capture and reuse much of the outgoing heated air and transfer it as a heat source to the incoming air.

Ambient temperature conditions for kilns differ greatly with the season, of course, depending on geographic location, but the Nyle HRV compensates. For instance, the Nyle HRV 5000 model adjusts to winter with a capacity of 305,502 BTU per hour. The same model meets summer conditions with 116,568 BTU per hour.

Venting capacity is important since different types of wood dry at different rates. The Nyle HRV system has a capacity to vent at 5,000 cubic feet per minute. It can vent sufficiently for both the fastest drying softwoods as well as the slowest drying hardwoods. It controls the flow of heat, air and moisture so the lumber dries evenly. The evenness in drying produces high quality lumber and reduces lumber degrade.

Customers can expect ease of installation. Nyle has worked out retrofitting and new kiln HRV installation processes to ensure minimal downtime.

Nyle Systems, which is headquartered in Brewer, a suburb of Bangor, Maine’s third-most populous city, tailors kiln solutions around a customer’s requirements and parameters. It offers kiln solutions that include dehumidification systems, traditional kilns for drying hardwood or softwood lumber, and with varying sources of heat and energy. It also offers pallet and firewood heat-treating systems. Nyle Systems also supplies complete kiln parts, components and accessories as well as its own kiln control systems.

Nyle serves a wide range of customers in the forest products industry with different wood drying requirements and operations. For example, a flooring company that plans to laminate wood components considers drying the material properly and to the optimum moisture content a critical issue to ensure the integrity of the laminating process and its products.

When Nyle team members assess a customer’s goals, they make recommendations for meeting them in the most efficient way. They can help by recommending certain components or accessories, such as state-of-the art kiln controls that allow remote operation.

Installation crews deployed by Nyle understand the importance of their work to customers. The crews are well-versed in the equipment they are installing and proficient at completing every aspect of a project to exacting specifications.

Nyle has been building kilns for 45 years. The company manufactures its products in the U.S.

The company offers complete kiln systems, kiln optimization tools, hardwood kilns, softwood kilns, and container kilns.

Nyle high temperature dehumidification kilns, operating at 160 degrees, can take a load of up to 350,000 board feet of lumber and extract 20,000 pounds of water daily on a standard schedule with precision temperature and relative humidity control. The company’s very high temperature (240 degrees) dehumidification kiln is designed for species that dry quickly. The dehumidification system’s gas-fueled furnace requires no boiler or steam.

Modular design and construction means that Nyle dehumidification kilns can be augmented to achieve a more-or-less unlimited capacity. Nyle dry kiln capacities range from 300 to 300,000 board feet. Not only can Nyle provide drying solutions to companies of every size, but it makes it easier for companies to expand capacity as they grow.

The core values that guide Nyle Systems include customer focus, continuous improvement, innovation, safety, integrity, and results. The values also encompass a commitment to teamwork and bold thinking.

The wood products industry is just one sector served by Nyle Systems. Nyle drying equipment is also used in grocery manufacturing for dehydrating ingredients. Nyle also manufactures heat pump water heaters.

The various business units of Nyle Systems are linked by a focus on sustainability. Its products are designed to be as energy efficient and environmentally friendly as possible. At the same time, the products are designed to be simple to use, install and maintain.

From modular arrangements to a range of capacity options, a customer can choose a near-custom solution from Nyle. Modular kilns make it much easier for companies to expand their kilns as they grow.

Nyle can equip any business for every sort of wood drying, from lumber drying to heat-treating lumber, pallets, and firewood. The company’s versatility is grounded in the expertise of its staff.

Adam, for example, arrived at the company from a different industry sector. “My background was in logistics, and I was drawn to the wood products industry because of my passion for working with people who share a deep appreciation for lumber and its applications,” he said.

“My experience has provided me with a unique perspective on the importance of value with energy efficiency and innovation in kiln technology,” explained Adam. “Collaborating with dedicated professionals in the lumber industry has been incredibly rewarding, as it allows me to contribute to sustainable practices and technological advancements that benefit their operations.”

One of the most rewarding aspects of his job is keeping pace with – and being continually fascinated by – advances and innovation in the wood products industry. Certainly, the Nyle HRV dynamic heat exchanger is high on the list of innovations.

However, there’s more to it than any one innovative product or tool. “There is a tremendous amount of pride in the lumber industry, where tradition and craftsmanship are deeply valued,” said Adam. “It’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to that pride with Nyle’s innovative products.”

“By providing advanced, energy-efficient solutions like our HRV technology, we help our customers enhance their operation, maintain high standards, and uphold the legacy of excellence that defines the lumber industry.”

Members of the wood products industry have many types of drying needs and many different constraints. Companies fundamentally require drying solutions for wood of different species and thicknesses, wood with stains or defects, and so on. Nyle Systems aims to help with solutions for any requirement. HRV is one solution.