The influence of two different handling methods on the moisture content and composition of logging residues

Distributions and Losses of Logging Residues at Clear-Felled Areas during Extraction for Bioenergy: Comparing Dried- and Fresh-Stacked Method

“…However, Nilsson et.al. [9] also reported that dried-stacked logging residues are generally somewhat drier than fresh-stacked logging residues, and concluded that differences among clear-felling areas and other variables affect the moisture content more than the extraction and storage method. The moisture content in logging residues is also affected by their particle size distribution, since the fine fractions absorb more moisture than the coarse fractions [18].…”

“…However, an alternative known as fresh-stacked method (fresh-stacking) has been described by Nilsson et al [9]. In this method, after the fuel-adapted logging operation, the logging residues are forwarded immediately after harvest to the landing, where drying and defoliation occur in windrows, instead of in small harvester heaps.…”

“…However, several studies have shown that the moisture content decreases, even if the logging residues are stored in roadside windrows [9,12,14,15]. Logging residues stored over a summer, regardless of stacking method, will have a moisture content between 30% and 40% [9,16]. Logging residues located in the center parts of the windrows show lower moisture content than the outside parts of the windrow [17].…”

“…When the logging residues are left in small harvester heaps, the moisture content decreases; if stored for a whole summer, the moisture content can be lower than 20%-30% [12,13]. However, several studies have shown that the moisture content decreases, even if the logging residues are stored in roadside windrows [9,12,14,15]. Logging residues stored over a summer, regardless of stacking method, will have a moisture content between 30% and 40% [9,16].…”

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

“…Natural-air drying of forest residues has been studied in the U.S. and Europe for many years (Civitarese et al, 2015;Forbes et al, 2014a;Gautam et al, 2012;Johansson et al, 2006;Nilsson et al, 2013;Nurmi, 1999;Pettersson and Nordfjell, 2007;Routa et al, 2015Routa et al, , 2016Stokes et al, 1993;Zamora-Cristales et al, 2014). The objective of these studies was to reduce transportation costs and improve the net energy content of chipped and ground biomass fuels that were to be used immediately after delivery to biomass-fired power plants.…”