Forestry - Forest Concepts

Moisture Content of Baled Forest and Urban Woody Biomass During Long-Term Open Storage

June 30, 2018 June 12, 2020 / Baling, Publications

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 …

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Conceptual Specification of Forest Utility Balers for Woody Biomass

July 20, 2016 June 12, 2020 / Baling, Publications

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 …

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Conceptual Specification of Forest Residues Balers using the Appreciative Design Method

July 29, 2015 July 27, 2020 / Baling, Publications

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 …

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Design of a Forest Residue Baler – Specification of Bale Dimensions

January 6, 2015 June 16, 2020 / Baling, Publications

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 …

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Forest Concepts Completes USDA SBIR to Separate High Value White Wood from Hog Fuel

October 31, 2011 June 8, 2020 / Press Releases

Forest Concepts has completed its USDA NIFA Small Business Innovative Research funded chipped and shredded biomass reprocessing project. The technologies developed during this project enables forest products industry professionals to reprocess low quality feedstocks into higher quality feedstocks to meet their wood fiber needs. See the final report of our presentation for more details.

Simple experimental set up with EC meter, timer, and hot plate stirring device

Application of Buckmaster Electrolyte Ion Leakage Test to Woody Biofuel Feedstocks

August 10, 2011 June 8, 2020 / Comminution, Forest Concepts Bioenergy, Forest Concepts Research & Development, Publications

Abstract In an earlier ASABE paper, Buckmaster reported that ion conductivity of biomass leachate in aqueous solution was directly correlated with activity access to plant nutrients within the biomass materials for subsequent biological or chemical processing. The Buckmaster test involves placing a sample of the particles in a beaker of constant-temperature deionized water and monitoring …

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Motor mount swing, torque arm, and force transducer

Torque-Arm Method to Measure Specific Energy in Laboratory Scale Biomass Preprocessing Equipment

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

Abstract Specific energy for comminution and mechanical processing of lignocellulosic feedstocks provides an economically important basis to compare equipment and to provide data for lifecycle analysis of complete systems. Measurement of specific energy during equipment design and development activities enables optimization of design parameters. Forest Concepts developed a torque-arm apparatus and LabView data acquisition method …

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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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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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