Moisture Content of Green Wood in High Temperature Water Vapor

Summary Changes in the moisture content of green sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis Carr.) during heating in environments of over 100°C and 1 atm were measured. Temperature and weight were measured in a highly accelerated stress test (HAST) chamber. The set temperature and relative humidity ranges were 107–160°C and 75–99%, respectively. The change in the temperature of a specimen was roughly divided into 4 steps. Equilibrium moisture contents at lower temperatures and pressures were similar to previous estimates, while at higher temperatures and pressures they were higher than previous results. A diagram of temperature–relative humidity–pressure–equilibrium moisture content in the range of 105–160°C, 75–99% RH and 0.02–0.39 MPa was obtained experimentally.