Modelling of the pyrolysis of wet wood

The influence of moisture content on the thermal decomposition of wood has been analyzed. Using wood slabs, experimental results of temperature profiles and solid conversion for different moisture contents and heat fluxes have been obtained. A mathematical model without adjustable parameters was used to calculate the temperature at different points in the sample and the average total solid conversion. Once the validity of different assumptions of the model had been analyzed, the experimental results were compared with those calculated by the model. Acceptable agreement was achieved.