Water vapor sorption and diffusivity in bark

Physical properties of importance in drying processes have been compiled for bark, including spruce, pine, and birch in Sweden. Water vapor sorption isotherms were determined for the bark of these trees. At 95% relative humidity and 25 degrees C, outer birch bark reached a moisture ratio (kg water/kg dry mass) of 5%, whereas inner birch bark, spruce bark, and pine bark reached moisture ratios of 21, 28, and 25%, respectively. The transverse water vapor diffusivity in samples of spruce bark, pine bark, inner birch bark, and outer birch bark were determined to be 1.1-1.710(-6), 2.2-9.210(-7), 1.5-2.610(-6), and 4.3-1310(-8)m(2)/s, respectively. The in-plane diffusivity was of the same magnitude as the transverse diffusivity in inner birch bark, whereas in outer birch bark the in-plane diffusivity was several times higher than the transverse diffusivity. These data can be used to model the drying behavior and can thus aid in the design of efficient bark drying processes.