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 objectives and operational constraints resulted in a new bale size specification that should be near-optimal for the BRDI project context. Two bale sizes are specified for further development. The recommended small-bale dimensions are 32-inches tall by 56-inches long by 48 inches wide. The small bale will weigh between 750 and 1,500 pounds depending on biomass moisture content and platen pressure. The recommended large-bale dimensions are 34-inches tall by 96-inches long by 48 inches wide. The large bale will weigh between 1,500 and 3,000 pounds depending on biomass moisture content and platen pressure. These bale sizes will be used in the next stage of baler design which entails both overall baler configuration and concurrent specification of hydraulic power packages.
About the Publication
Dooley, J. H. (2015). Design of a Forest Residue Baler – Specification of Bale Dimensions. Auburn, WA, Forest Concepts, LLC: 8.
Read the full article in PDF format: