A process for the chemical modification of Chinese fir with alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) was studied. The hydrophobicity of the resulting products was evaluated by characterization of the equilibrium moisture content, water-surface contact angle, water absorption coefficient, and antiswelling efficiency. The results indicated that when 5% AKD solution was used, the modified wood generally showed go...

This paper reports the Ku band (1318GHz) response of thick film equilateral triangle microstrip patch antenna to moisture laden sunflower (Helianthus Annuus) seeds using overlay technique. From the frequency response the moisture dependent microwave permittivity has been reported. The thick film patch antenna is sensitive even to ~ 4.25% moisture content in the overlay material. The actual mois...

An automated experimental system to characterize moisture-contenttotal-suction relationships for unsaturated clayey soils is described. Unlike traditional techniques requiring independent measurement of total suction and moisture content (e.g., thermocouple psychrometry and filter paper), suction is directly controBed and corresponding moisture contents are continuously monitored. The system is...

The WPI-NaCas-GLY antimicrobial film takes full advantage of the controlled release of active or antimicrobial agents as well as demonstrates a great potential for functioning as an alternative biodegradable polymer in practical applications. The moisture sorption kinetics of the film as an important carrier of active agents was investigated at various relative humidities (RH). The results indi...

Control of water and air in the root zone of plants remains a challenge in the microgravity environment of space. Due to limited flight opportunities, research aimed at resolving microgravity porous media fluid dynamics must often be conducted on Earth. The NASA KC-135 reduced gravity flight program offers an opportunity for Earth-based researchers to study physical processes in a variable grav...

Issue: The moisture content of a fill material will affect its compaction characteristics and needs to be evaluated during quality control of the fill operation. When the fill is drier than its optimum moisture content, any moisture in the fill serves as a lubricant and helps the relative movement of the particles when densifying under vibratory compaction. When the fill is wetter than its opti...

Biomass wastes produced from oil palm mills and plantations include empty fruit bunches (EFBs), shells, fibers, trunks, and oil palm fronds (OPF). EFBs and shells are partially utilized as boiler fuel while the rest of the biomass materials like OPF have not been utilized for energy generation. No previous study has been reported on gasification of oil palm fronds (OPF) biomass for the producti...

Issue: The moisture content of a fill material will affect its compaction characteristics and needs to be evaluated during quality control of the fill operation. When the fill is drier than its optimum moisture content, any moisture in the fill serves as a lubricant and helps the relative movement of the particles when densifying under vibratory compaction. When the fill is wetter than its opti...

A model for steam gasification of biomass was developed by applying thermodynamic equilibrium calculations. With this model, the simulation of a decentralized combined heat and power station based on a dual fluidized-bed steam gasifier was carried out. Fuel composition (ultimate analysis and moisture content) and the operating parameters, temperature and amount of gasification agent, were varie...

In this paper the influence of the moisture content on the flow characteristics of blast furnace dust is investigated. The flowability of granular material is essential for the design and operation of dust separators, transport equipment and storage silos. Two blast furnace dust samples from different blast furnaces were investigated. The moisture content was adapted for measurement with the sh...