Economics of modifying harvesting systems to recover energy wood

Journal Article · Sat Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · For. Prod. J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5190048

Stuart, W B; Porter, C D; Walbridge, T A; Oderwald, R G

Recent interest in the recovery of previously underutilized logging residues for energy has stimulated the development of a variety of technologies for bringing this resource to market. The most promising approach for the independent contractor working the south eastern United States is to incorporate residue recovery equipment into his existing harvesting system. Computer simulation was used to assess the potential impact of adding small chippers or residue balers to three common harvesting systems. The systems are used in pine plantations, and mixed pine hardwood and upland hardwood stands. Changes in both operating costs and capital used were used to measure the effect of moving from conventional products to total energy wood harvests and capturing residues for energy in conjunction with conventional products. Incremental analysis was used to assess the operating cost per ton and capitalization per ton of annual production associated with the addition of the residue recovery capability. In nearly every case the incremental cost per ton and the incremental capitalization per ton associated with adding capability (for recovering wood residues for energy) to conventional harvesting systems were considerably less than for establishing systems of the same configuration (to produce energy wood only). The flow of conventional products must not be interrupted by the residue recovery process. Clearcutting or thinning operations conducted primarily for the production of enery wood did not appear to be economical on any stand, given 1979 residue values, unless a proportion of the large diameter trees are merchandized as conventional products. This statement, of course, must take into account that the cost used for both conventional products and the full tree chips were based upon 1979 pulp chip prices. If the alternative value of this material as fuel rises above its current value for fiber, this situation may change.

• Research Organization: Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ., Blacksburg, VA
• OSTI ID: 5190048
• Journal Information: For. Prod. J.; (United States), Journal Name: For. Prod. J.; (United States) Vol. 31:8; ISSN FPJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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