This research examined three possible systems that could be used to recover biomass from poplar plantations.
The research article is titled “Recovery of forest biomass from Spanish hybrid poplar plantations”, and was published in the Biomass and Bioenergy Journal, Volume 35 (2011), pp. 2570 to 2580. The authors were Eduardo Tolosana, Ruben Laina, Rocio Martinez-Ferrari and Yolanda Ambrosio.
The details of the three systems are as follows:
The productivity data for all the systems is shown in the research results. The research showed that System 2 was the most productive, but high relocation costs made it only suitable for large consolidated plantations. System 1 was the least productive, but its low investment and relocation costs made it cost competitive. System 3 was also cost effective in large consolidated plantations, but produced poor quality biomass and had logistical difficulties.
For a more complete account of the research, please consult the journal. Source: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/biombioe
The research article is titled “Recovery of forest biomass from Spanish hybrid poplar plantations”, and was published in the Biomass and Bioenergy Journal, Volume 35 (2011), pp. 2570 to 2580. The authors were Eduardo Tolosana, Ruben Laina, Rocio Martinez-Ferrari and Yolanda Ambrosio.
The details of the three systems are as follows:
- System 1 consisted of the collection of branches and tops up to 8 cm (3.2 in) after motor manual felling and mechanised processing (harvester head on excavator) of sawtimber. The biomass system consisted of a chipper being towed by an agricultural tractor, feeding a trailer being towed by a second trailer, which dumped the chips at a landing. A front-end loader then loaded 70 m3 trucks.
- System 2 also collected branches and energy wood up to 14 cm (5.5 in) diameter after motor manual felling of plywood trees. The biomass was bunched using a front-end loader with a grapple and rake. This was followed by a chipper mounted onto a forwarder, feeding a trailer being towed by a second tractor. This trailer was equipped with a conveyor which fed the chips out the back at the landing. Chips were loaded onto 90 m3 trucks.
- System 3 harvested stumps after motor-manual felling for plywood. Stumps were extracted using an excavator, and then piled using a front-end loader. After a month, the stumps were shredded and screened.
The productivity data for all the systems is shown in the research results. The research showed that System 2 was the most productive, but high relocation costs made it only suitable for large consolidated plantations. System 1 was the least productive, but its low investment and relocation costs made it cost competitive. System 3 was also cost effective in large consolidated plantations, but produced poor quality biomass and had logistical difficulties.
For a more complete account of the research, please consult the journal. Source: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/biombioe