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Croatian Journal of Forest Engineering : Journal for Theory and Application of Forestry Engineering, Vol. 33 No. 2, 2012.

Original scientific paper

Predicting and Controlling Moisture Content to Optimise Forest Biomass Logistics

Mauricio Acuna ; AFORA – University of Sunshine Coast Private bag 12 Hobart, TAS AUSTRALIA
Perttu Anttila ; Finnish Forest Research Institute P.O. Box 68 FI-80101, Joensuu FINLAND
Lauri Sikanen ; University of Eastern Finland P.O. Box 111 FI-80101, Joensuu FINLAND
Robert Prinz ; Finnish Forest Research Institute P.O. Box 68 FI-80101, Joensuu FINLAND
Antti Asikainen ; Finnish Forest Research Institute P.O. Box 68 FI-80101, Joensuu FINLAND

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Abstract

Wood fuel quality attributes have to be considered by logistics planners if fuel procurement from forests and energy production at the plant are considered simultaneously. The single most important quality attribute is the moisture content (MC) of chips or raw material delivered to energy plants. It affects heating value, storage properties, chipping and transport costs of the fuel. To assess the impact of forest biomass moisture content on supply chain costs, we devel­oped a linear programming-based tool for optimization decision support that minimizes sup­ply chain costs including harvesting, storage, chipping, and transportation of fuels. A CHP plant in Finland was used as the study case and three biomass raw materials (supply chains) were used for the analysis: whole trees from early thinnings, stemwood from early thinnings, and logging residues from final fellings. Our results indicate that both the proportion and volume of the biomass material delivered to the plant are very sensitive to specifications on MC range limits and the length of the storage (drying) period. Compared to a scenario with no storage, a reduction in volume harvested of up to 33% can be achieved to meet the monthly energy demand if proper drying methods, such as covering of biomass material, are imple­mented before chipping and delivering the biomass materials to the energy plant.

Keywords

moisture content; biomass supply chain; optimal storage and transportation; linear programming; biomass covering

Hrčak ID:

116842

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/116842

Publication date:

3.9.2012.

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