OM SOLAR - OM Lumber-Drying method

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	OM Lumber-Drying method

The OM Solar Greenhouse | OM Lumber-Drying method | Eco-Materials in Japan

The OM Solar Lumber-Drying Facility

Traditional Japanese post-and-beam construction commonly uses "bare" or unprocessed lumber rather than laminated lumber. However, non-processed lumber must be treated prior to use. To promote sustainability, OM Solar has devised a drying method for lumber that is implemented in OM Solar's own lumber-drying facility.

In its cost analyses of conventional lumber-drying procedures, the OM Solar Association determined that there was an urgent need to reduce the environmental burden in terms of CO2 emissions released during those procedures. This was the impetus behind the creation of OM Solar's treatment method.

Exterior view of the OM Solar lumber-drying storehouse	The Om Solar lumber-drying storehouse
	The highlighted portion shows the OM Solar system components

Although conventional treatment procedures reduce superficial cracking and warping and are more rapidly completed, they are also comparatively costly and more energy-consuming (and may result in bleaching and internal splitting of the wood). On the other hand, the use of sun-heated hot air as the heat medium is not only economical but also environmentally sound. Treatment procedures at the OM Solar lumber-drying facility combine both methods (i.e., dehumidification and OM Solar system operation) in the interest of quality control and environmental sustainability.


Lumber is initially treated to reduce excess humidity. This is called the "dry-set" phase.	Interior view of the OM Solar lumber-drying storehouse where the lumber is dried with solar heat.	Concentrated drying booth located in the storehouse.	The OM Solar system-equipped storehouse channels hot air collected under the roof panels through the ducts and down into the interior of the facility.

Advantages of the OM Solar lumber-drying method

Thorough, effective drying process yielding high-quality results comparable to those produced by conventional treatment procedures, with considerable reductions in energy consumption and CO2 emissions.