Economic Optimization of Forest Biomass Processing and Transport in the Pacific Northwest USA

Optimizing Biomass Feedstock Logistics for Forest Residue Processing and Transportation on a Tree-Shaped Road Network

“…Thus, the machine mobilization cost can be calculated by multiplying the move-in costs of the machine by the road segments used for relocation (Equation (1)). Assuming the machine starts at the facility location (v), Equation (10) ensures that all of the links included in the shortest path (R uv ) between nodes u and v must be used if a machine m is located at the node u. This equation also ensures the model does not count the previously incurred mobilization expenses multiple times when the machine makes several stops along the route.…”

“…On-site preprocessing, such as grinding or chipping, is usually required to improve transportation efficiency and meet desired particle size specifications for energy and product conversion processes. In many situations, however, preprocessing is responsible for a substantial portion of feedstock costs because of high machine rates (owning and operating costs) combined with low machine utilization rates due to frequent equipment relocation between processing sites [10]. In addition, efficiency gains in transportation from densifying materials through preprocessing can become inconsequential if poor road conditions impede large chip vans from accessing the site and dramatically increase per-unit transportation costs [11].…”

“…Zamora-Cristales et al [10] is one of few studies that incorporated operational details into an optimization framework for forest biomass feedstock production. The study used simulation techniques to quantify the effects of truck-machine interactions, truck arrival rates and road conditions.…”

Moisture Content of Baled Forest and Urban Woody Biomass during Long-term Open Storage

“…The cost of production is also quite sensitive to drying energy consumption. In all cases, the transportation costs for fuels or feedstocks can be reduced by reducing moisture content to fiber saturation or lower (Zamora-Cristales et al, 2015). Typical fiber saturation points for different species of wood vary around 30% (Forest Products Laboratory, 2010).…”

“…Baling of forest residues into large rectangular bales is of current interest to supply feedstocks for solid and liquid biofuels (Bisson et al, 2013;Zamora-Cristales et al, 2015;. The net thermal energy of ground woody biomass used for biopower is highly sensitive to moisture content.…”