Analysis of the water vapour sorption behaviour of Sitka spruce [Picea sitchensis (Bongard) Carr.] based on the parallel exponential kinetics model

The water vapour sorption behaviour of Sitka spruce was analysed based on the parallel exponential kinetics (PEK) model. The PEK model deconvolutes the sorption kinetics curve into two exponential kinetics processes (fast and slow) which have characteristic times and moisture contents associated with them. The sorption kinetics was examined at different temperatures enabling the determination of activation energies for the sorption kinetic processes throughout the hygroscopic range (from 5% to 95% relative humidities). The physical interpretation of the PEK model is also discussed.