This research examined logging slash on landings following full tree harvesting systems.
The research was titled “Fuel quality changes in full tree logging residue during storage in roadside slash piles in Northwestern Ontario”, and was published in the Biomass and Bioenergy Journal, No. 42 (2012), pages 43 to 50. The authors were S Gautam, R Pulkki, C Shahi and M Leitch. The article examined the problem of logging residue having high moisture contents and low calorific values, rendering it uneconomical to procure.
The logging residue from various softwood and hardwood species, stored in beehive shaped piles and windrows, was studied to determine the effect of the storage method and duration on fuel quality. The residue was generated from full tree harvesting systems consisting of feller bunchers, grapple skidders, stroke delimbers and slashers. The fuel characteristics assessed included moisture content, gross calorific value and ash content. The residue was monitored over three drying seasons.
The results showed that windrowed slash had the lowest moisture content. Softwood species had lower moisture contents and higher gross calorific values than hardwoods. Smaller diameter stems displayed lower ash contents and higher calorific values than larger stems. Furthermore, the moisture content reduced from a green state to 15.1 % after two years of roadside storage, even though gross calorific value and ash content did not significantly change over the same time period. The study showed that proper storage and drying techniques improved fuel quality and energy yields from logging residues.
Please access the journal for a more complete account of the research.
Source: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09619534
The research was titled “Fuel quality changes in full tree logging residue during storage in roadside slash piles in Northwestern Ontario”, and was published in the Biomass and Bioenergy Journal, No. 42 (2012), pages 43 to 50. The authors were S Gautam, R Pulkki, C Shahi and M Leitch. The article examined the problem of logging residue having high moisture contents and low calorific values, rendering it uneconomical to procure.
The logging residue from various softwood and hardwood species, stored in beehive shaped piles and windrows, was studied to determine the effect of the storage method and duration on fuel quality. The residue was generated from full tree harvesting systems consisting of feller bunchers, grapple skidders, stroke delimbers and slashers. The fuel characteristics assessed included moisture content, gross calorific value and ash content. The residue was monitored over three drying seasons.
The results showed that windrowed slash had the lowest moisture content. Softwood species had lower moisture contents and higher gross calorific values than hardwoods. Smaller diameter stems displayed lower ash contents and higher calorific values than larger stems. Furthermore, the moisture content reduced from a green state to 15.1 % after two years of roadside storage, even though gross calorific value and ash content did not significantly change over the same time period. The study showed that proper storage and drying techniques improved fuel quality and energy yields from logging residues.
Please access the journal for a more complete account of the research.
Source: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09619534