COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF EQUATIONS USED TO ESTIMATE WOOD EQUILIBRIUM MOISTURE CONTENT

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Lourival Marin Mendes
Julio E. Arce

Abstract

This research  analyzes comparatively  Hailwood & Harrobin, Bradley and BET equations for estimating wood equilibrium moisture content. Estimative equilibrium moisture content data based on temperature and relative air humidity, corresponding to the Brazilian conditions, were used thorough meteorological information obtained from 206 cities in 26 Brazilian states by the Ministry of Agriculture in  the period 1961/1990. It was noticed that the Hailwood & Harrobin equations of 1 and 2 hydrates values estimate, on average, intermediate values between Bradley and BET that, respectively, generated inferior and superior yearly values to Brazilian meteorological conditions. The applied equations provided a consistent referential to the wood air drying activities. However, in order to achieve higher accuracy , a practical determination of the real equilibrium moisture content from specific places should be done.

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