Journal article
Harvesting short-rotation poplar plantations for biomass production
Croatian Journal of Forest Engineering, Vol.29(2), pp.129-139
2008
Abstract
In Italy, short rotation forest has become very popular in recent years, with over 4,000 hectares already planted - almost exclusively with clone poplar. The study models the performance of modified forage harvesters on a range of short-rotation poplar plantations, identifies technical obstacles to the deployment of these machines and suggests solutions that may expand the capability of modified forage harvesters when treating short-rotation poplar. Data were collected from 16 operations, covering a total of 50 hectares and producing over 1000 green tonnes of wood chips. The average yield of the fields harvested during the trials was about 20 green tonnes/ha year, equivalent to 8 oven-dry tonnes/ha for a 60% average moisture content, measured in the laboratory. Gross machine productivity ranged from 9 to 44 green tonnes/scheduled machine hour (gt/SMH), with an average value of 25 gt/SMH. Of course, this result is affected by other factors than just forager performance, which is potentially much higher. A model was developed to predict harvesting performance and cost, showing that harvesting cost can be maintained below the 15 Euro/green tonne (2 Euro/GJ) ceiling only if field stocking exceeds 40 or 50 gt/ha when rows are long 300 and 100 m, respectively. The study also shows the need to optimize operations. Over a quarter of the total worksite time is occupied by unproductive delays, which may be reduced with improved planning and maintenance.
Details
- Title
- Harvesting short-rotation poplar plantations for biomass production
- Authors
- Raffaele Spinelli (Author) - CNR IVALSA, ItalyC Nati (Author) - CNR IVALSA, ItalyNatascia Magagnotti (Author) - CNR IVALSA, Italy
- Publication details
- Croatian Journal of Forest Engineering, Vol.29(2), pp.129-139
- Publisher
- Sveuciliste u Zagrebu
- Date published
- 2008
- ISSN
- 1845-5719
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2008 CROJFE. Originally published in CROJFE. Spinelli, Raffaele, Nati, C, Magagnotti, Natascia. 2008. Harvesting short-rotation poplar plantations for biomass production. 29: 129-139
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Forest Industries Research Centre; Forest Research Institute
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449040702621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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