Woodchip moisture content

[Dean Lofthouse]

What method would you use to measure woodchip moisture content ?

 

I'm presuming finding a big piece and sticking a moisture Meter into it isn't the best method.

 

I'm looking into running a boiler that will run off my woodchip and other rubbish such as roots ect

 

I'm also presuming storing woodchip under cover in smallish piles will dry woodchip sufficiently?

[Gareth Dalzell]

What method would you use to measure woodchip moisture content ?

 

I'm presuming finding a big piece and sticking a moisture Meter into it isn't the best method.

 

I'm looking into running a boiler that will run off my woodchip and other rubbish such as roots ect

 

I'm also presuming storing woodchip under cover in smallish piles will dry woodchip sufficiently?

 

It might dry faster with venting underneath as well similar to a grain store arrangement only simplier. You can get moisture meters like grain meters that are specifically for granular product and more accurate (if that is necessary) than a log moisture meter.

 

What % do you need to get it down to?

[Dean Lofthouse]

What % do you need to get it down to?

 

Just as low as is easily achievable to get the most efficiency out of the boiler

[Goaty]

Have you a bucket for that multione Dean? If you have hardstanding that drains not accumulates water. Arrange a simple shelter that air can get under and turn it over with the multione. In the early days of heap it will dry itself out alot. Preferably in the dormant season, no green moist material in it. I reckon with a little experience you wouldn't need to to test moisture as grabbing a handful and stretching out with your feelings, determine you shall. It will be light if dry and scatter easy.

 

You could try a horticultural moisture meter they are designed to test potted plant moisture levels.

[ecotreecare]

I know someone who makes pellets for pellet fires. He gets wood chipped up and puts it through a machine to make it smaller yet. It then gets spread on a dryer which he made himself then gets put through the pellet press.

 

I've Seen him quite accurately measure the water content off the stuff he's got dry by using a microwave. I can ask him how he does it but I think he measures a 100g zapps it with the microwave to dry it out completely and works out the differance.

[Dean Lofthouse]

Good method...

 

Measuring the dry weight after zapping and working out the moisture percentage from the weight difference

[rovers90]

It is really quite a long and complex method to determine moisture content of chip Dean.

 

Most boilers under 500KW will require fuel of 35% moisture and below and the best way to test it is to use your oven at home! Take a known quantity of chip (by weighing it) and place it on a tray or in a steel container and put it in the oven. Leave it for 12 hours at 105C.

 

Re weigh the sample and perform the following sum:

 

MC% = (Ws - Wo)divided by Ws times by 100

 

Ws is the weight of the sample before drying and Wo is the weight after drying.

 

You can use a microwave as well:

1.microwave on high for 10min - stir

2.microwave on high for 10min - stir

3.microwave on medium for 10 mins -stir

4.microwave on low for 5mins -reweigh

5.repeat step 4 until consistent weights are obtained and then perform the above calculation

 

Hope this helps!

[openspaceman]

What method would you use to measure woodchip moisture content ?

 

Fill an oven proof container, weigh, stick in electric oven for 24 hours at 120C, weigh, empty container, weigh it. Difference between the container weight and when full of oven dry chips is the oven dry weight (ODT). Diffence between the container and green weight is wet weight. wet weight-ODT is water, water divided by wet weight times 100 is moisture content wet weight basis. You can do the same much quicker using the defrost setting of a microwave but the temperature can easily run away . you need to monitor till there is no change in weight.

I'm also presuming storing woodchip under cover in smallish piles will dry woodchip sufficiently?

probably but drying a thin layer then heaping it may be safer, you'll need it below 25% to stop it sweating/mould.

[openspaceman]

You can use a microwave as well:

1.microwave on high for 10min - stir

2.microwave on high for 10min - stir

3.microwave on medium for 10 mins -stir

4.microwave on low for 5mins -reweigh

5.repeat step 4 until consistent weights are obtained and then perform the above calculation

 

 

Yes and watch for a vinegary smell which indicates one bit has got over hot

 

I should have refreshed the thread before replying, I hadn't seen your reply as I was trying to fathom the "check engine" light on daughter's vitara which I'm borrowing tomorrow.

[Dean Lofthouse]

Normally "daughter" and "engine management light" means the bonnet has never been opened

 

I have seen some big wide plastic link conveyer belting in a skip which would make good ventilated rack to store drying woodchip on