AUBURN, WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES, April 29, 2022 — The electric utility industry magazine T&D World published a story on their pilot trial of baling vegetation management debris as an alternative to chipping. Read the story in T&D World.
PG&E Pilot Evaluates Chipped Versus Baled Debris Read More »
Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) sponsored a project to explore methods to gather powerline vegetation management woody biomass and process it into feedstocks optimized for delivery to distributed-scale gasifiers. A pilot study was conducted in Lake County, California where powerline trimmings were either chipped or baled, then ground at a central biomass processing facility, and finally milled / screened to achieve particle size distributions specified by a gasifier manufacturer. The vegetation included oak, pine, walnut, and other hardwoods. All materials were successfully processed into feedstocks.
Abstract This project was the result of a proposal submitted by Forest Concepts, LLC to The Pacific Gas & Electric Company PG&E), through the PG&E / ADL Ventures ProblemSpace competition. The objective was to demonstrate baling as a lower cost alternative to chipping of woody biomass produced from powerline vegetation management programs. Baling has the
Summary Report for Woody Biomass Baling Pilot Project Read More »
Abstract In this 17-slide Powerpoint presentation, Jim Dooley explores the challenges of on-site chipping of fireline debris and woody biomass and proposes Forest Concepts’ patent-protected baling technology as a solution. The presentation covers potential benefits such as labor and cost reduction. In addition, depictions of applications at test sites are included. About the Publication Dooley,
Baling & Roundwood Hauling for Fireline and WUI Fuels Reduction Woody Biomass Read More »
Abstract This article describes how the moisture content of baled woody biomass varied during long-term open-air storage under conditions in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Large rectangular bales of forest and urban biomass were produced beginning in August 2015 and periodically until June 2016. Weights were measured approximately monthly until the entire
Moisture Content of Baled Forest and Urban Woody Biomass During Long-Term Open Storage Read More »
Abstract The productivity of forest biomass collection equipment is highly dependent on site conditions, spatial distribution of biomass, operator skill, and functional design of the equipment used. A prototype woody biomass baler was used to produce large rectangular bales of woody biomass. Rectangular bales enable high payloads during transport and efficient storage at centralized processing
Abstract The forest utility modular woody biomass baler is designed to maximize recovery of forest residuals from small/remote/stranded landings, scattered roadside windrows and piles, thinnings from hand crews, and forest management prunings. The baler module is designed to be incorporated onto a wide range of undercarriages and prime movers. The baler module can be mounted
Conceptual Specification of Forest Utility Balers for Woody Biomass Read More »
Abstract The large-bale modular woody biomass baler is designed to maximize daily production while baling previously piled logging slash, forest residuals, thinnings from hand crews, and forest management prunings. The baler is intended to be supported by an excavator-type grapple loader to feed biomass into the baler and handle bales produced much like a grinder
Conceptual Specification of Large-Bale Forest Residuals Balers Read More »
Abstract Baling of fine forest residuals such as tops, branches, and thinnings is expected to reduce the cost of collection, transport, and processing. Baling may enable economical access to currently stranded biomass resources that are inaccessible to large in-woods grinders and specialized chip hauling vehicles. The technical feasibility of baling logging slash branches and tops
Conceptual Specification of Forest Residues Balers using the Appreciative Design Method Read More »
Abstract Specification of bale dimensions, configuration, and density are among the first decision decisions to be made for the design of a new class of forest biomass balers. The engineering team at Forest Concepts updated earlier work on baling of urban woody biomass to the context of forest residuals and the BRDI project. Revised functional
Design of a Forest Residue Baler – Specification of Bale Dimensions Read More »
