ThermoWood® changes the game with a skillful mix of simple heat and water. The unique thermal modification process uses special kilns, designed and produced by Jartek, to heat wood up to 200-230º Celsius under precisely controlled conditions. Water plays a vital role within the stainless-steel chambers: first, as steam injected to keep the chamber oxygen-free at high heat and manage the chemical changes within the wood, then, as tiny water droplets produced at high pressure to cool the chamber temperature and re-condition the wood’s moisture level to specified levels.
According to Jartek’s business manager, Timo Tetri, Danfoss power packs built around PAHT pumps have been integrated into these high-tech chambers since the very beginning. “We were familiar with Danfoss high-pressure pumps from other applications, so it was natural to consider them for the ThermoWood® project, too,” he explains. “Danfoss high-pressure systems have been standard in all of our kilns from the very beginning. Their reliability mean they run for years without complicated maintenance routines – and they require very little service at all. This dependability is essential for us and our customers, who operate the kilns 24/7 around the world.”
“But we are also very happy with the flexibility of their systems,” Tetri continues. “We can order the Danfoss power packs with or without control boxes, depending on our customers’ requirements. Because precise control of the adiabatic cooling and re-conditioning phase is so critical to the ThermoWood® process, we develop our own proprietary PLCs and software in addition to the chambers and material handling. Danfoss makes it simple for us to take control of their high-pressure systems in exactly the way that fits each customer´s precise needs.