Economic comparison between wood - air drying process and solar kiln

Abstract

The present study aims to analyse the costs, feasibility and potential of two methods of drying wood – air drying and solar kiln, assessing the influence of  drying time of raw material in costs and consequetly in profits of the production process. For this, the costs of implementation and operation as well as time spent in the process of wood drying were considered for two experimental prototypes, solar kiln and air drying, both with a capacity of one m³ of
timber. Based on cost data and income obtained by simulation of the operation of each experimental unit of wood drying were determined: present value of cost and revenue; net present value; mean production cost; benefit x cost ratio; equivalent annual benefit; internal rate of return; sensitivity analysis due to the variation of interest rates. Based on the results obtained, from the established criteria, it appears that both drying processes have economic viability. However, the simulation developed for the solar kiln showed better financial indicators, being less sensitive to changes in interest rates.