Influence of Density and Water Content on The Thermal Diffusivity of Wood Chips

Abstract

The use of agro-industrial residues are currently experiencing an undeniable revival of interest in developing fully renewable insulation materials, that can be competitive in price and performance, in addition of low embodied energy. Among these vegetable waste materials; wood chips. These latter are light, compressible and very sensitive to water, due to their highly porous structure, which constantly modifies their thermal properties. The main objective of this study is to examine the influence of moisture content and density on the thermal diffusivity of wood chips, using the flash method. Four theoretical models were used to identify the thermal diffusivity. The results obtained show a decrease in thermal diffusivity with an increase in wood chips density. Furthermore, moisture content has an influence on thermal diffusivity. The experimental results show fluctuations with a slight decrease in thermal diffusivity with a maximum corresponding to a moisture content value Wm