Moisture adsorption thermodynamics of wood from fractal-geometry approach

Abstract

Abstract The fractal-geometry approach was used to calculate the thermodynamic properties of moisture sorption by wood from the adsorption isotherms in this study. The results were compared with those from an isosteric approach and a calorimetric approach. The adsorption isotherms of Southern yellow pine (Pinus spp.) were measured at 4, 15, 30, and 40°C to provide source data for the calculation of both fractal-geometry and isosteric approaches. The results show that the fractal dimensions of the internal surfaces of wood vary between 2.4 and 2.5. The curves of the differential heat of adsorption −∆H against moisture content from the fractal-geometry approach are similar to those from calorimetric measurements in previous research. The −∆H values from the isosteric approach increased with moisture content within a moisture content range up to 3%. And, at moisture contents higher than 3%, the −∆H values from this method are much higher than those from the fractal-geometry approach and calorimetric approach. As a result, the fractal-geometry approach is applicable to calculate the differential thermodynamic properties of moisture sorption by wood in future research.