Adaptation of a new CO2 drying technology in the context of quebec's wood processing industry

The objective of this project is to explore the potential of an innovative drying technology within the context of Quebec's wood industry. Developed by the French company wAys, this technology uses CO2 gas as a heat transfer fluid instead of air to dry wood. According to wAys, the technology offers several advantages over traditional methods in addition to improving wood quality.

Firstly, it significantly reduces drying time, leading to substantial savings in drying operation costs. It also enhances the dimensional stability of the wood while minimizing shrinkage. These benefits have the potential to greatly impact productivity and reduce costs associated with wood drying processes.

To this end, SEREX and wAys have partnered with industrial stakeholders (Preverco, Champeau, and Mirage) to conduct this research project. The aim is to demonstrate and optimize CO2 drying technology for wood species frequently used by the industrial partners. Specifically, the project activities will be divided into two research components: the first will be common to all three partners, while the second will be tailored to the specific applications targeted by each partner.