A bundler prototype for forestry and agricultural residue management for energy production. Issue 2 (3rd May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Manzone, Marco
• Is Part Of: International journal of forest engineering. Volume 27:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 103
• Page End: 108
• Publication Date: 2016-05-03
• Subjects: Biomass -- prototype -- bundling -- productivity -- hourly costs; Forestry engineering -- Periodicals; Génie forestier -- Périodiques; Forestry engineering; Periodicals; 634.905
• DOI: 10.1080/14942119.2016.1158598
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1913-2220

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In recent years, a large amount of wood biomass has been produced for energy use by the agricultural and forestry sectors. The goal of this study was to set up a chip bundler prototype which can work with different feedstocks (agricultural and forestry residues). During tests, the prototype was able to produce bundles with a weight between 18 and 20 kg requiring an energy input of between 0.54 and 0.58 MJ kg −1, respectively. The production cost of a single bundle was €2.43, independent of the loading type (mechanical or manual) adopted. The bundler tested seems ideal for the agro-forestry sector because it shows a high versatility: the form and size of the biomass processed does not interfere with productivity or cost. In addition, the prototype requires a small amount of power and a small investment. Because of these reasons, the bundler can be used by individual farmers and small businesses.