scholarly journals Equilibrium moisture content (EMC) in Norway spruce during the first and second desorptions

Holzforschung ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 65 (6) ◽  
pp. 875-882 ◽  
Author(s):  
Preben Hoffmeyer ◽  
Emil Tang Engelund ◽  
Lisbeth G. Thygesen

Abstract It is a commonly accepted notion that the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of wood at a given relative humidity (RH) is highest during initial desorption of green wood due to an irreversible loss of hygroscopicity during the 1st desorption. The basis for this notion is investigated by assessing how drying and saturation procedures influence the differences between the 1st and the 2nd desorption curves for Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) sapwood. The study establishes 1st and 2nd desorption isotherms for a variety of initial conditions and it covers the RH range from 60.1% to 99.9%. The state of the water is not affected by oven-drying and rewetting as demonstrated by time domain low field NMR relaxometry. The results challenge the conclusions of earlier studies and indicate that in these studies the 2nd desorption was initiated at much too low EMC and therefore fails to describe a boundary desorption isotherm. Instead, it becomes an intermediate desorption isotherm starting at the adsorption boundary curve and crossing over to eventually meet the desorption boundary curve. The results also show that vacuum drying at room temperature only gives a modest loss of hygroscopicity compared to the green state. Conversely, oven-drying at 103°C results in a more significant loss of hygroscopicity, except for RH above 96% where an increase in EMC surprisingly is seen.

Holzforschung ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisbeth G. Thygesen ◽  
Emil Tang Engelund ◽  
Preben Hoffmeyer

Abstract Desorption isotherms at 20°C for untreated, acetylated, and furfurylated Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] sapwood were established in the 91.9–99.9% relative humidity (RH) range. Three methods were employed to secure various constant RH levels: saturated salt solutions, climate chambers, and the pressure plate technique. The curve form for the untreated samples did not show an upward bend, except perhaps above 99.5% RH, indicating that – contrary to what has hitherto been assumed – capillary condensation does not play a significant role for water sorption in wood below fiber saturation. Three additional results corroborate this conclusion: (1) calculation of the theoretical contribution of capillary condensation to the moisture content (MC) in wood based on idealized microstructural geometries by means of the Kelvin and Laplace equations resulted in very small contributions to the equilibrium moisture content (EMC), i.e., below 0.35% moisture at 99.9% RH. (2) The ratio between the EMC of acetylated and untreated samples did not show an increasing trend for increasing RH, as would have been the case if capillary condensation had taken place in both untreated and acetylated wood. (3) Low field time domain nuclear magnetic resonance results showed that only the relaxation curves from the furfurylated samples were affected systematically by freezing, indicating that neither untreated nor acetylated wood contained significant amounts of capillary condensed water.


1976 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 238-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leon Segal ◽  
G. L. Drake

Differentiation of the flammabilities of nonflame-retardant, all-cotton fabrics cannot be accomplished by the usual test procedures, as these merely provide the means for determining when a fabric exceeds a certain set standard. The desired differentiation, however, can be obtained by measurement of the flame-propagation rate using the Ahiba Flammability Tester with the sample in the horizontal position. Eight nonflame-retardant, undyed cotton fabrics of different constructions were studied. The weights of the fabrics fell into four groups: 3.1, 3.6–3.8, 4.1–4.4, and 7.5 oz/yd2. Specimens were cut from the warp and filling directions of the fabrics; one set of specimens was oven-dried prior to testing, while another set was conditioned to equilibrium moisture content at 65% relative humidity and 70°F. Burning was different in the warp and filling directions. Differences in flame-propagation rates were found that were not weight dependent. In general, flame-propagation rate was not constant over the length of the specimen; in the warp direction the rates increased with distance from point of ignition, while in the filling direction constant and decreasing rates were also found. Flame-propagation rate was not effected to the extent expected by changing from oven drying to conditioning to equilibrium moisture content; only four of the eight fabrics showed significant changes. Burning in the filling directions of two fabrics was markedly changed; smaller differences were found in the warp direction only of a third fabric and in both the warp and filling directions of a fourth fabric.


Consumers all over the world are increasingly becoming aware of the health and nutrition status of fish and fishery products. There have develop some preference for fish species and even their processing methods. This study aims to investigate the effects of two drying methods (smoking and oven drying) on the biochemical components and organoleptic properties of two less preferred food fishes abundant in the study area. The fish samples Mormyrus rume and Labeo coubie were purchased from fresh landings of fishermen at Ahaha beach. The biochemical assay of the moisture, protein, fat, carbohydrate, ash, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), sodium (Na) and potassium (K) were conducted in the labouratory using standard methods. The proximate composition of raw M. rume was determined as moisture 70.38%, protein 17.43%, carbohydrate 1.13%, fat 5.93% and ash 2.77% while oven dried were 18.78, 63.85, 3.37, 8.73 and 7.58% respectively. All the proximate parameters and gross energy level investigated were higher (p < 0.05) in M. rume except the moisture content of dried samples of L. coubie. The mineral content were in the order Ca < Mg < Fe < Na < P and < K in both species and were higher in M. rume except Na. The drying methods showed increase in the proximate and mineral compositions in the order raw < smoking and < oven drying except moisture content that decreased respectively is both species. Organoleptic properties revealed that dried samples (smoked and oven) were not significantly different (p < 0.05) in taste, flavour, texture and overall acceptance, however while oven dried had better colour (4.33), smoked dried taste (4.63) better. The drying methods shows concentration of the required nutrients in human diets and were also found to be most palatable by the panellist. To improve fish nutrient quality smoke and oven drying should be encourage.


2006 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-430
Author(s):  
T. Árendás ◽  
L. C. Marton ◽  
P. Bónis ◽  
Z. Berzsenyi

The effect of varying weather conditions on the moisture content of the maize grain yield was investigated in Martonvásár, Hungary from late August to late September, and from the 3rd third of September to the 1st third of Novemberbetween 1999 and 2002. In every year a close positive correlation (P=0.1%) could be observed between the moisture content in late September and the rate of drying down in October. Linear regression was used each year to determine the equilibrium moisture content, to which the moisture content of kernels returned if they contained less than this quantity of water in late September and harvesting was delayed. In the experimental years this value ranged from 15.24-19.01%.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 4586
Author(s):  
Ana Silveira ◽  
João Cardoso ◽  
Maria José Correia ◽  
Graça Martinho

Moisture content is a quality issue raised by recycling plants in the acceptance of paper and cardboard coming from waste streams. The current way to measure this parameter is by the oven drying method, which is a slow and invasive process, costing time and resources for the recyclers to do this type of quality control. An alternative to such a measurement technique is the use of plate-form devices which indirectly measure the moisture content using the dielectric properties of water and paper. This study has tested this method and developed a representative equation for the use of devices with these properties in the Portuguese market. For that, 48 wastepaper and cardboard bales were tested with both the traditional (oven drying) method and a commercial device equipped with dielectric technology. An equation that fits the studied reality (R2 = 0.76) was achieved, and possible problems regarding the use of this device were tested. The results showed that this type of device could be used as a time- and cost-saving, non-destructive and reliable method in the quality control of wastepaper and cardboard bales.


Horticulturae ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 40
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Alfeo ◽  
Diego Planeta ◽  
Salvatore Velotto ◽  
Rosa Palmeri ◽  
Aldo Todaro

Solar drying and convective oven drying of cherry tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) were compared. The changes in the chemical parameters of tomatoes and principal drying parameters were recorded during the drying process. Drying curves were fitted to several mathematical models, and the effects of air temperature during drying were evaluated by multiple regression analyses, comparing to previously reported models. Models for drying conditions indicated a final water content of 30% (semidry products) and 15% (dry products) was achieved, comparing sun-drying and convective oven drying at three different temperatures. After 26–28 h of sun drying, the tomato tissue had reached a moisture content of 15%. However, less drying time, about 10–11 h, was needed when starting with an initial moisture content of 92%. The tomato tissue had high ORAC and polyphenol content values after convective oven drying at 60 °C. The dried tomato samples had a satisfactory taste, color and antioxidant values.


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