Validation of Prediction Models for Estimating the Moisture Content of Small Diameter Stem Wood

Abstract

Moisture is the most important factor influencing the quality and calorific value of fuel wood. Drying models for estimating the optimal storage time based on average moisture change in fuel wood stacks stored outdoors have been developed for different stem wood piles. Models are an easy option for making an estimate of the moisture content of an energy wood pile if compared with sampling and measuring the moisture of samples. In this study, stem wood models were validated against data from forest companies. Fourteen reference piles of covered pine stem wood and 8 piles of uncovered pine stem wood were studied. The results of the validation are promising. The difference between the measured and modelled moisture was on average only 0.3% with covered piles and 2.5% with uncovered piles. The models presented can be implemented in every location in Finland, because the Finnish Meteorological Institute has a database for interpolated meteorological observations covering the whole country in a 10 km x 10 km grid. For international use, model parameters need to be estimated case by case, but it should also be possible to implement the approach itself worldwide.