Title: Modeling Air-Drying of Douglas-fir and Hybrid Poplar Biomass in Oregon Abstract approved:

Both transportation costs and market values of woody biomass are strongly linked to the amount of moisture in the woody biomass. Therefore, managing moisture in the woody biomass well can lead to significant advantages in the woody biomass energy business. In this study, two prediction models were developed to estimate moisture content for Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and hybrid poplar (Populus spp.) woody biomass. Experimental data for the Douglas-fir model were collected over four different seasons at two different in-forest study sites in Oregon (Corvallis and Butte Falls) between December 2010 and December 2011. Three woody biomass bundles consisting of 3-meter length logs (30 to 385 mm diameter) were built each season at each study site; a total of 24 Douglas-fir bundles (1,316 to 3,621 kg weight) were built over the period. Experimental data for the hybrid poplar model were collected in two drying trials at two off-forest study sites in Oregon (Clatskanie and Boardman) between April 2011 and January 2012. Two types of woody bundles consisting of 3-meter length logs were built each trial: small (28 to 128 mm diameter, 2,268 t