Development of a device for producing and a system for handling wood cubes for home heating. Final report
A wood cuber was developed which sheared four foot bolts of wood into cubes of any desired length, usually three to four inches. The machine was hydraulically operated, quiet, simple to operate by only one person, and required PTO power of a medium-size (50 HP) tractor. The cubes formed exhibited considerable splintering which further reduced the wood cube size. Drying test were run and demonstrated the expected rapid drying characterisitcs of the wood cubes. The wood in this form could be easily handled and stored. Combustion tests in stoves and furnaces indicated that quick ignition and rapid burning characterize this form of wood fuel. The silvicultural implications and potential uses of wood cubes for fuel are reviewed. Smaller trees, 4 to 5 inches in diameter, which are uneconomical to harvest for pulpwood or lumber, could be reduced in the forest to cubes either in a thinning or a total harvest operation. A wood cuber consisting of a tractor-mounted shearing mechanism would be mobile and relatively inexpensive to use in these types of operations. The principal investigators are convinced that many Third World countries which depend upon wood as fuel for cooking would benefit the wood concept. More efficient use of wood and ease of drying and handling are aspects which make the use of wood cubes attractive to these countries, many of which have rapidly dwindling forest resources. The promotion of this potential will be carried out by the principal investigators. 5 figures.
- Research Organization:
- Maine Univ., Orono (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG41-81R122241
- OSTI ID:
- 6382524
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/R1/22241-T1; ON: DE85006029
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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