MASSAHAKE whole tree harvesting method for pulp raw-material and fuel -- R&D in 1993--1998
- Technical Research Centre of Finland, Jyvaeskylae (Finland)
In Finland biofuels and hydropower are the only indigenous fuels available. Peat, wood and wood derived fuels form about 18% of total primary energy requirement. The largest wood and wood fuel user in Finland is wood processing industry, paper, pulp, sawmills. Due to silvicultural activities the growth of forests has developed an instant need for first thinnings. This need is about 12% of total stem wood growth. With conventional harvesting methods this would produce about 8 mill. m{sup 3} pulp raw material and 2 mill. m{sup 3} wood fuel. By using integrated harvesting methods about 12 mill. m{sup 3} pulp raw material and 8 mill. m{sup 3} (about 1, 3 mill. toe) fuel could be produced. At the moment, there is no economically profitable method for harvesting first thinning trees for industrial use or energy production. Hence, there are a few ongoing research projects aiming at solving the question of integrated harvesting. MASSAHAKE chip purification method has been under R&D since 1987. Research with continuous experimental line (capacity 5--10 loose-m{sup 3}) has been done in 1991 and 1992. The research has concentrated on pine whole tree chip treatment, but preliminary tests with birch whole tree chips has been done. The experiment line will be modified for birth whole tree chips during 1993. Based on the research results more than 60% of the whole tree chips can be separated to pulp raw material with < 1% bark content. This amount is 1.5--2 times more than with present technology. The yield of fuel fraction is 2--4 times higher compared to present methods. Fuel fraction is homogeneous and could be used in most furnaces for energy production. By replacing fossil fuels with wood fuel in energy production it is possible to reduce CO{sub 2}-emissions significantly. This paper presents the wood fuel research areas in Finland and technical potential of MASSAHAKE-method including the plant for building a demonstration plant based on this technology.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 140300
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/CP-200-5768-Vol.1; CONF-9308106-Vol.1; ON: DE93010050; TRN: 93:003926-0031
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 1. biomass conference of the Americas: energy, environment, agriculture, and industry, Burlington, VT (United States), 30 Aug - 2 Sep 1993; Other Information: PBD: [1993]; Related Information: Is Part Of First Biomass Conference of the Americas: Energy, environment, agriculture, and industry; Proceedings, Volume 1; PB: 796 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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