Density-independent algorithm for sensing moisture content of sawdust based on reflection measurements. (June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Julrat, Sakol; Trabelsi, Samir
• Is Part Of: Biosystems engineering. Volume 158(2017)
• Page Start: 102
• Page End: 109
• Publication Date: 2017-06
• Subjects: Dielectric properties -- Open-ended rectangular waveguide -- Substrate waveguide sensor -- Moisture content -- Sawdust; Bioengineering -- Periodicals; Agricultural engineering -- Periodicals; Biological systems -- Periodicals; Génie rural -- Périodiques; Systèmes biologiques -- Périodiques; 631
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2017.04.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1537-5110

Abstract

Abstract : A density-independent algorithm for moisture content determination in sawdust, based on a one-port reflection measurement technique is proposed for the first time. Performance of this algorithm is demonstrated through measurement of the dielectric properties of sawdust with an open-ended half-mode substrate integrated waveguide (HMSIW) sensor. For accurate measurement of the dielectric properties of sawdust, the HMSIW sensor was calibrated by using a three-material calibration technique, with air, water and 25% ethanol aqueous solution. For moisture determination, a density-independent calibration function expressed in terms of the dielectric properties was used. Both moist and dry bulk densities were considered for the complex-plane representation of the dielectric properties. Results of moisture prediction, relative to each complex-plane representation were found to be similar at 5 GHz and 23 °C with the standard errors of performance of 0.955% and 0.957%, respectively. Highlights: A density-independent algorithm for moisture determination in sawdust is proposed. The moisture algorithm is based on dielectric properties measurement. The technique is based on a one-port reflection measurement at 5 GHz and 23 °C. Both moist and dry bulk densities were considered in the moisture algorithms. Predicted moisture compared well with standard oven method.