Hi everyone, I'm kind of new to all this kiln drying stuff and I wanted to pick everyone's brain on kiln baffling types. We use Stainless Steel baffles, and in the top of our kiln we have brush and high temp rubber baffling. All this seems to hold up pretty well considering. What other types of baffles are available? Has anyone tried any new kind of baffle systems in the recent years? I've recently acquired some samples from another company working on a cheaper solution to baffling "High Temp Silicone" baffling which is super cheap and flexible has anyone tried this yet? I planned on putting some of these samples in my kiln after this coming shutdown to see how it would hold up in the heat. These samples will be in there for 3 to 4 months before we get a chance to look at them again. This all applies to floor baffling and door baffling as well. I think that a high temp silicon/rubber material would hold the heat better and be more flexible to incoming and outgoing packages then stainless steel or a metal material.

NHLA HARDWOOD LUMBER GRADING WORKSHOP at NC State University

Sponsored by the Southeastern Dry Kiln Club
June 4 – 6, 2019
NC State University
Raleigh, NC

This popular workshop gives yardmen, sawyers, edger operators, sales and office staff, as well as management level personnel an introduction to lumber inspection. This course is designed as an introduction and a refresher course of the NHLA Rules. The course will cover the fundamental of hardwood lumber inspection and will give the attendees the opportunity for hands-on application of the rules.  Contact Phil Mitchell for more information:  (919) 515-5581 or phil_mitchell@ncsu.edu or go to the web page.

Recaust and Kiln Area Production Leader

Georgia-Pacific is currently seeking a Production Leader for our Lime Kiln / Causticizing Operation at Alabama River Cellulose in Perdue Hill, AL.  This position reports directly to the Area Leader of the Fiberline department. The successful candidate will be a self-driven individual with a passion for excellence in Safety, Manufacturing, and Customer Focus and should exhibit strong communication and leadership skills.   Long-term value is created through the application of the company’s business philosophy of Market-Based Management® & Georgia-Pacific’s Guiding Principles.

A Day In The Life Typically Includes:

• People: Effectively manage area personnel
• Ability to set expectations, and hold employees accountable, provides effective coaching as needed
• Exhibits strong leadership skills with the ability to develop and encourage high levels of teamwork and participation on a diverse team
• Actively engaged with employees and focused on development of talent
• Supports training and development initiatives for the crew and department

Operations Excellence: Manage daily operations to achieve production goals

• Understands and communicates goals in the areas of quality and production
• Collaborates and knowledge shares with other departments across mill to ensure success of operational goals

Safety & Compliance: Commitment to environmental, health, & safety excellence

• Acquires and shares knowledge of applicable standards, policies, and procedures in areas of EH&S
• Drives a safety-focused culture, regularly engages in and encourages safety participation amongst crew including facilitating safety meetings
• Possesses a passion for identifying and mitigating critical hazards

Demonstrates a sense of urgency and accountability in:

• Housekeeping
• Prioritizing and processing work
• Supporting routine and annual outages
• Planning, assigning, and providing follow-up of work
• Strives for continuous improvement, recognizes opportunities to minimize and eliminate waste - follows-through to ensure achievement of results

What You Will Need:
Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelors of Science Degree
• Minimum of three (3) years in a technical or supervisory role in a Fiberline or Utilities Area
• Experience with Microsoft Office Word (i.e. creating documents), Excel (i.e. creating spreadsheets, utilizing formulas, & analyzing data), and Outlook (i.e. scheduling meeting invites & emailing)

What Will Put You Ahead?
Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering or Paper Science
• Experience with Kraft recovery liquor cycle
• Experience with Microsoft PowerPoint and Project
• Experience using Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS)

For more information or to apply click here

As one of six world-class mills in the GP Cellulose business, Alabama River Cellulose produces specialty fluff and market pulp delivered worldwide to customers for a variety of high-end used and converting technologies.  Our products are used in applications ranging from paper products to diapers and hygiene products as well as specialty applications including textiles, pharmaceuticals, food, paints and plastic molding components.

NOTE: Job postings on Kilndrying.org are provided as a free service. We do our best to keep all postings current. However, if you discover a job listed on our forum is no longer available, please send us a message to that effect and we will remove from the board. Thank you.

2019 Dry Kiln Operator's Short Course

May 14 - 17, 2019
NC State University
Hodges Wood Products Lab
Raleigh, North Carolina  27695

Contact Phil Mitchell for more information at 919-515-5581 or phil_mitchell@ncsu.edu

RTO - Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer.
I have not heard of any on kilns.  The capital cost for an RTO would be more than that of the kiln and consume lots of energy.  It heats the exhaust air to about 1600F to change all organics to CO2 and H2O.  Some of the energy is recovered (regenerative), but they are still large consumers of natural gas.  To use one you must capture all the exhaust gas meaning ductwork in kiln or to all vents. They are common on board presses and some veneer and particle dryers.