A density-independent method for high moisture content measurement using a microstrip transmission line.

This paper describes a method to measure high moisture content in materials from 190% to 350% on a dry weight basis. The method uses a microstrip transmission line, on which the material under test is overlaid. A parameter calculated from the attenuation and phase shift of the microwave signal is proposed to measure the moisture content. The experiments were performed on samples of sawdust, and the results show that the method is able to determine high moisture content independent of density. The standard error of calibration for the moisture content determination was 12.4% in the moisture content range from 190% to 350%.