Changes in Thermal Energy with Moisture Content for Representative Wood Pellet Fuels in the Northeast

Gross heating values for densified wood residues made in the northeastern United States are shown as a function of moisture content (MC). As expected, the trend is clear, and the fuel values decrease sharply as MC increases. What is also clear is that storage time and storage conditions are important considerations for those using pellet fuels as an energy source. Typically, large quantities of pellets are purchased and stored for months before use. Moist storage conditions or long storage times could substantially change the quantity of pellets required to heat a structure.