Comparisons of two methods of harvesting biomass for energy
Two harvesting methods for utilization of understory biomass were tested against a conventional harvesting method to determine relative costs. The conventional harvesting method tested removed all pine 6 inches diameter at breast height (DBH) and larger and hardwood sawlogs as tree length logs. The two intensive harvesting methods were a one-pass and a two-pass method. In the one-pass method, all material one inch DBH and larger was simultaneously harvested. Pines 1 to 6 inches DBH and hardwoods 11 inches DBH and less were chipped for energy wood and all other stems were logged tree length. With the two-pass method, the energy wood (same description as in the one-pass) was harvested in a first pass through the stand, and the commercial size wood being removed as tree length logs was harvested in a second pass. The conventional harvesting system recovery averaged 52 percent of the standing biomass while the one-pass and two-pass methods recovery averaged 85 percent and 76 percent of the standing biomass, respectively. The conventional system had an average harvesting cost of $8.75 per green ton onto the log truck while the one-pass and chip vans of $7.60 and $8.85 per green ton. Both the one-pass and two-pass methods produced energy chips into vans at a cost which was well below the value of the material as a fuel source at the mill. 8 references.
- Research Organization:
- Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station, Mississippi State
- OSTI ID:
- 5366617
- Journal Information:
- For. Prod. J.; (United States), Vol. 36:4
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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