Forest Concepts Research & Development

Protocol for Assessing Particle Shape of Comminuted Biomass

August 7, 2011 June 8, 2020 / Comminution, Forest Concepts Bioenergy, Forest Concepts Research & Development, Publications

Abstract Particle shape is increasingly important as a quality parameter for comminuted biomass. Shape affects flowability, pretreatment, rate of conversion, and performance of materials handling systems. This protocol applies to materials that have been subjected to commutation processes including but not limited to chunking, chipping, grinding or milling. Our objective is to enable a uniform …

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Field Experience with Street Legal Square Baler for Woody Biomass

August 7, 2011 June 8, 2020 / Forest Concepts Research & Development, Publications

Abstract We conducted a problem analysis in 2005 to recommend an optimal method for collection, transport, and handling of woody biomass in urban centers, suburban landscapes, and forested areas. The analysis concluded that street-legal biomass balers should replace tow-behind chippers to enable woody biomass to be packaged and handled just like other recyclables. Design and …

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Structured Interview Guide and Template for Specification of Woody Biomass Fuel and Feedstocks

August 7, 2011 June 8, 2020 / Comminution, Forest Concepts Bioenergy, Forest Concepts Research & Development, Publications

Abstract Lack of full technical specification for biomass fuels and feedstocks is a major source of confusion, uncertainty, and conflict throughout the supply chain. With support from US Department of Agriculture and US Department of Energy, we have interviewed scores of industry participants and reviewed both the scientific and commercial literature to develop a template …

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Square Bales of Woody Biomass for Improved Logistics

October 4, 2009 June 8, 2020 / Baling, Forest Concepts Research & Development, Publications

Abstract The majority of fuels reduction work is conducted by hand crews in the wild and urban interface and near in-forest recreation/administrative assets. Today, most of the biomass is either piled for burning at some future time or is dragged to the roadside for chipping. In many districts, disposal of chipped or whole brush is …

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Interfacing Forest Engineering with Bioenergy Production

July 2, 2008 June 8, 2020 / Baling, Comminution, Forest Concepts Bioenergy, Forest Concepts Research & Development, Habitats & Bioengineering, Publications

Abstract Woody biomass from forestland, urban greenbelts, and residential areas has the potential to provide more than 150 million tons per year of cellulosic feedstocks for biorefineries, pellet fuels, and fermentation. Production sites range from urban lots to large wildland forest tracts. Destinations range from small urban boutiques to large remote industrial complexes. The systems, …

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Catastrophic failure from parallel to grain tension, not shear

Mode of Failure Model for Cutting Solid Section Biomass

July 2, 2008 June 8, 2020 / Baling, Comminution, Forest Concepts Bioenergy, Forest Concepts Research & Development, Publications

Abstract Solid section biomass, such as wood and the node-zone of crop residues, has distinct modes of failure when loaded in cross grain shear. Shear bar design plays a part in determining what the failure mode will be at a given depth of penetration. Other factors include shear location relative to an unconstrained end and …

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Biomass Baling into Large Square Bales for Efficient Transport, Storage, and Handling

June 25, 2008 June 8, 2020 / Baling, Forest Concepts Research & Development, Publications

Abstract Forest Concepts is working under a federal contract from the USDA CSREES SBIR program to develop better methods to collect and transport woody biomass collected from small-scale fuels reduction projects (ranging from residential lots to 20 acre parcels) in the true wildland-urban intermix zone (WUI). Our specific objective is to enable more of the …

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A Wood-Strand Material for Wind Erosion Control: Effects on Total Sediment Loss

March 4, 2008 June 8, 2020 / Erosion Control, Forest Concepts Research & Development, Publications, WoodStraw

Abstract Fugitive dust from eroding land poses risks to environmental quality and human health, and thus, is regulated nationally based on ambient air quality standards for particulate matter with mean aerodynamic diameter <= 10 µm (PM10) established in the Clean Air Act. Agricultural straw has been widely used for rainfall-induced erosion control; however, its performance …

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Engineering Factors for Biomass Baler Design

June 20, 2007 June 8, 2020 / Baling, Forest Concepts Research & Development, Publications

Abstract Woody biomass is a core element of our nation’s strategy to replace imported oil and natural gas with renewable resources. The challenge facing potential biomass users, however, is how to economically recover and transport the material from residential neighborhoods, urban centers and suburban landscapes to distant users. Our preferred solution is to bale the …

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Agriculture Straw versus WoodStraw, Wind Mobility

Evaluating Material Properties to Optimize Wood Strands for Wind Erosion Control

July 12, 2006 September 1, 2020 / Publications, Erosion Control, Forest Concepts Research & Development, WoodStraw

Abstract Wind erosion is a widespread problem in much of the western United States due to arid conditions and persistent winds. Fugitive dust from eroding land poses a risk to both environmental quality and human health. Since the advent of the Clean Air Act in 1971, ambient air quality standards have been set regulating particulate …

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