Building Material Drying

Precision and reliability are crucial in the industrial drying of wood, pellets, bricks or concrete. Fluctuations in temperature or humidity can lead to longer drying times, quality defects or increased energy consumption. Robust and durable sensor solutions are particularly in demand under extreme conditions - for example at temperatures of up to 180°C. The high-precision sensors from E+E Elektronik ensure uniform drying, minimise waste and enable energy-efficient process control - for measurable cost savings and sustainable production.

  • Robust sensors with innovative protection concepts                                                         
  • Up to 20 % less energy costs thanks to precise moisture measurement
  • Avoidance of cracking, warping and material damage thanks to precise moisture measurement                                                          
     
20 % Up to 20 % less energy costs thanks to precise moisture measurement

Advantages of Building Material Drying with E+E Sensors

In building material drying, sensors are exposed to extreme stress: high temperatures, dust, moisture, and corrosive conditions can quickly render conventional measurement systems inaccurate and unusable. E+E Elektronik sensors are specifically designed for these challenges and offer exceptional durability thanks to smart protections:

  • E+E Sensor Protection Coating – A specially developed hygroscopic protective layer covers the active sensor surface. It shields the sensor from dust, corrosion, and moisture exposure, ensuring stable measurement results in harsh industrial environments.
  • Innovative Sensor Encapsulation – A specially developed protective enclosure safeguards the electronics from fine dust, dirt particles, and chemical exposure. This ensures that the sensors remain reliable even in heavily contaminated environments.
  • Heated Humidity and Temperature Sensors – The integrated sensor heating system (High Humidity Guard) prevents condensation and ensures constant measurement accuracy, even in high humidity conditions that risk condensation. This extends the sensor's lifespan and reduces maintenance.
  • Heat-Resistant Materials – Designed for use at sustained high temperatures up to 180°C, ensuring precise measurements long-term.

These smart protections provide for long-term, uninterrupted operation, and guarantee maximum stability and reliability.
 

Comparison of E+E sensor with and without smart sensor protection
Smart sensor protection protect sensors even in extreme environments.

In building material drying, uniform moisture distribution is crucial to prevent warping, cracking, or other quality defects. Drying inconsistencies often lead to shrinking, swelling, or deformation, resulting in higher waste rates and production delays.
High-precision humidity sensors from E+E Elektronik measure humidity in real time with an accuracy as fine as 2% relative humidity, allowing optimal process control and eliminating material defects.

This means:

  • Consistent drying and maximum process control
  • Reduced waste and rework
  • Reproducible quality – even in large production volumes
     
Comparison of wood dried using a sensor and wood dried without a sensor
Achieve uniform drying and improve product quality.

Energy is one of the largest cost factors in building material drying – inefficient processes drive up consumption and reduce profitability. Drying processes often run longer than necessary due to inaccurate humidity measurements, resulting in waste.
With E+E sensors, drying processes can be optimised, resulting in significant cost savings. For example, in a wood drying facility, this means:

  • Less over-drying leads to energy savings of 6 kWh per m³ of wood
  • With an annual capacity of 300,000 m³, this results in savings of 1,800 MWh per year
  • At an energy price of €150/MWh, this translates to annual savings of €270,000

Thanks to real-time humidity measurements, the drying process can be stopped precisely when the optimal moisture level is reached. This not only saves energy but also shortens process times and increases throughput. Companies already using our technology report up to 20% lower energy costs, leading directly to significant savings and faster investment amortisation.
 

20 % cost savings written on a background of blurred solar panels and a sky plus numbers and graphs
Specifically in the field of building material drying, customers report 20 % savings in energy costs.
Martin Schrems | Mühlböck Holztrocknungsanlagen GmbH

The low-maintenance sensors from E+E Elektronik provide consistently reliable and long-term stable measurements, allowing us to minimise downtime and enhance the efficiency of our systems.

Significantly Reduced Downtimes Thanks to Low-Maintenance Sensors

When it comes to high-performance wood drying, every minute of downtime counts. Mühlböck GmbH  leverages the power of E+E Elektronik’s low-maintenance sensor solutions to keep their systems running at peak efficiency.  The result: seamless performance and fewer interruptions across its global operations.

Learn how smart sensor technology is helping Mühlböck keep downtime low and performance high —thanks to robust, low-maintenance humidity and temperature sensors by E+E Elektronik.

Read the full Success Story

Mühlböck GmbH Wood Drying Plant at LOC Holz GmbH in Arbing, Austria

Talk to us about your application!

Would you like to improve your building material drying process with precise moisture measurement?

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Building Material Drying applications

Stacks of wooden panels

Timber Drying

In timber drying, sensors are exposed to extreme loads. E+E Elektronik sensors have been specially developed for these challenges:

  • exceptional durability thanks to innovative protection concepts
  • heat-resistant materials for use at temperatures up to 180°C 
     

Brick and Concrete Drying

In brick drying, even moisture distribution is crucial to avoid quality defects.

  • Even drying and maximum process control
  • Less scrap and rework
     

Ceramic Drying

The high-precision humidity sensors from E+E Elektronik measure humidity in real time with an accuracy of up to 2% relative humidity, enabling drying processes to be optimally controlled and material defects to be avoided.

  • Reproducible quality – even with large production quantities 
     

Products for Building Material Drying

HTS801 humidity and temperature sensor

HTS801

Humidity and Temperature Sensor for High Humidity and Chemically Polluted Conditions

High-End Humidity and Temperature  Sensor for Industrial Applications

EE310

High-End Humidity and Temperature Sensor for Industrial Applications

HTP501 - Digital Humidity and Temperature Probe

HTP501

Digital Humidity and Temperature Probe up to 120 °C (248 °F)

FAQ

If the sensor is permanently exposed to high humidity, condensation will occur. This can lead to inaccurate and falsified measured values. Our High Humidity Guard, specially developed for this application, prevents this behavior with a sensor and probe heater. The High Humidity Guard guarantees highly accurate readings even under demanding conditions.

In the case of temporary high humidity, it is recommended to use the Condensation Guard. Here, the sensor is specifically heated when a certain threshold value is reached.

This can lead to chemical contamination of the sensor head and subsequent incorrect measurement. With the Automatic Recovery function, the sensor is heated intensively for a short time and this behavior is prevented.

The filter cap may be removed to replace it or to clean the sensor element in the sensor head. Follow the cleaning instructions and do not touch the sensor element.

The analog outputs can be freely selected and scaled using the PCS10 configuration software.

In applications where condensation may form, it is important that no condensation water gets from the cable to the sensor and into the sensor head. It is recommended to use drip protection here.

We are always available to answer any questions you may have! Inquire now

Questions about Building Material Drying?

Explore E+E technology and high-end sensor calibration. Our global team helps you find a custom solution for your production.

Matthew Nemeth | Managing Director E+E Elektronik Corporation USA
Matthew Nemeth | Managing Director E+E Elektronik Corporation USA
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