Researching the change in the weight of split oak firewood due to different drying methods

In this paper, the influences of stacking methods and drying places of split oak firewood in winter conditions (Quercus cerris) have been experimentally and theoretically investigated, due to the great importance of use in heating with such wood. The research was conducted on a sample of 48 pieces of logs with bark made of freshly cut oak. The logs were obtained by mechanized technology with the help of grafting by a hydraulic splitter and a chainsaw. Each log was measured for a research length of 0.30 m, marked with numbers 1-24. On each log, the weight was measured on a scale of 5 kg with an accuracy of 0.5 grams. Drying of logs was performed in two places. The first drying place was in outdoor conditions, sheltered from the snow and ventilated. The second place was indoors, at approximately constant room temperature. The logs were stacked in a crossed way for better air circulation. They were dried between 15/12/2020 and 15/02/2021, a total of 62 days. The average initial weight of logs dried in the facility was 1130.3 g, in the dried state the average weight was 952.87 g, which represented 84.3% of the original weight. The average initial weight of logs dried in outdoor conditions was 1192.125 g, in the dried state 1076.37 g, which represented 90.29% of the original weight. The average initial water content in the logs dried in the facility was 37.9%, in the dried state it was 27.5%. For logs dried in outdoor conditions, the average initial amount of water was 36.6%, in the dried state the average amount of water was 31.2%.