Relative Permeability and the Gross Pore Structure of Wood

Abstract

Watc>~.-satl~rate;I, longit~~dinal core samples of nine hardwoocls and three soft\vood:; \\,ere ~r ~r ~a s l ~r e d for specific pernteability and also for relative l~er~neability to water anci nitrogen gas.Constant flow rates mere achieved for specific pernleability.Relative permeability curve shapes were inflnenced more by the pore struct~lre of \vood than by its specific pcrmeal~ility.It appears that softnoods could be drained much lower in degree of sat~n-ation tllar~ hard\voods.I n imbibition-type measuren~ents, the softwoods were higher in saturation but lower in relative permeability than the hardwoods.