Robert Prinz

Assessing Lignocellulosic Biomass Potentials From Forests and Industry

Lignocellulosic biomass from forests and forest industries represents a crucial resource for the bioeconomy. Many assessments have been carried out over the last decade to quantify biomass potentials from forests and forest industries. The results from these assessments are quite diverse because of varying definitions and assumptions. Here we report on a recent comprehensive assessment carried out in the frame of the S2Biom project for 37 countries in Europe. We present the methodology to estimate biomass from forests and the forest industries, with a specific effort to estimate forest biomass supply costs. A set of biomass potentials is presented, that offers flexibility to users to select biomass potentials according to specific requirements, information demands, and policy contexts. Results are presented at the regional level for different types of potentials and with associated costs to allow better insight into the composition of the potential. The associated S2Biom toolset and database allows users to select results based on own preferences and needs, thereby offering the most comprehensive assessment of forest biomass potentials currently available in Europe.

Alternative operation models for using a feed-in terminal as a part of the forest chip supply system for a CHP plant

The fuel supply of forest chips has to adapt to the annual fluctuations of power and heat generation. This creates inefficiency and unbalances the capacity utilization of the fuel supply fleet in the direct fuel supplies from roadside storages to power and heat generation. Terminals can offer an alternative approach for the fleet management of fuel supplies in terms of smoothing the unbalanced fleet use towards more even year‐round operations. The aim of the study was to compare the supply costs of a conventional direct forest chip supply to an alternative fuel supply with the use of a feed‐in terminal using the discrete‐event simulation method. The influences of the terminal location, terminal investment cost, outbound terminal transport method, terminal truck utilization and quality changes of terminal‐stored forest chips for the fuel supply cost were studied in the case environment. By introducing a feed‐in terminal and a shuttle truck for the transports of terminal‐stored forest chips, the total supply cost was 1.4% higher than the direct fuel supply scenario. In terminal scenarios, the supply costs increased 1–2% if the cost of the terminal investment increased 30%, the distance to the terminal increased from 5 to 30 km or the total annual use of a terminal truck decreased 1500 h. Moreover, a 1 per cent point per month increase in the dry matter loss of terminal‐stored chips increased the total supply cost 1%. The study revealed that with the relatively low additional cost, the feed‐in terminal can be introduced to the conventional forest chip supply. Cost compensation can be gained through the higher annual use of a fuel supply fleet and more secured fuel supply to power plants by decreasing the need for supplement fuel, which can be more expensive at a time of the highest fuel demand.

Hybrid solutions as a measure to increase energy efficiency – study of a prototype of a hybrid technology chipper

ABSTRACT The objectives of this study were to examine the new hybrid technology chipper, Kesla C 860 H in comparison to two conventionally diesel-powered chippers, when chipping conifer pulpwood and logging residues. Productivity, fuel consumption and quality of the chips were measured and analyzed. During the time studies, both the chipper and hybrid system were working well. Chip quality was good and met the demands of small-scale residential boiler users. The average chipping productivity of the hybrid chipper unit was 13.1 oven dry metric tonnes (odt) per effective hour (E0h) when chipping logging residues and 11.3 odt E0h−1 when chipping pulpwood. This was lower than for the conventional chippers which produced 20.1 odt E0h−1 when chipping logging residues and 31.2 odt E0h−1 and 14.0 odt E0h−1 when chipping pulpwood. Fuel consumption of the hybrid chipper was 2.9 litres per odt for logging residues and 3.1 litres per odt when chipping conifer pulpwood, which was slightly lower than for the conventional chippers. Compared to conventional chippers, the hybrid chipper was more energy efficient and consequently produced the least amount of emissions per odt of chips. The productivity results of this study must be considered with care as the chipper and especially the hybrid system are under continuous development, and follow-up studies are needed to determine long-term productivity, fuel consumption and operating costs.

Sustainability impacts of increased forest biomass feedstock supply – a comparative assessment of technological solutions

ABSTRACT Sustainably managed forests provide renewable raw material that can be used for primary/secondary conversion products and as biomass for energy generation. The potentially available amounts of timber, which are still lower than annual increments, have been published earlier. Access to this timber can be challenging for small-dimensioned assortments; however, technologically improved value chains can make them accessible while fulfilling economic and environment criteria. This paper evaluates the economic, environmental and social sustainability impacts of making the potentially available timber available with current and technologically improved value chains. This paper focuses on increasing the biomass feedstock supply for energy generation. Quantified impact assessments show which improvements – in terms of costs, employment, fuel and energy use, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions – can be expected if better mechanized machines are provided. Using three different methods – Sustainability Impacts Assessment (SIA), Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and Emission Saving Criteria (ESC) – we calculated current and innovative machine solutions in terms of fuel use, energy use, and greenhouse gas emissions, to quantify the impact of the technology choice and also the effect of the choice of assessment method. Absolute stand-alone values can be misleading in analyses, and the use of different impact calculation approaches in parallel is clarifying the limits of using LCA-based approaches. The ESC has been discussed for the recast of the Renewable Energy Directive. Potential EU-wide results are presented.

S2biom survey of logistical concepts

A survey of various logistical biomass value chains in various European projects was made. A biomass value chain connects the available biomass types with the final conversion process through various logistical components. Based on the survey of biomass value chains the most important logistical concepts were identified. A logistical concept is broader and more general than a specific biomass value chain. A chosen logistical concept always still needs to be further specified and translated in order to obtain a specific biomass value chain (specify all the components). Often several possible biomass value chains fit within that general logistical concept. A qualitative assessment of each logistical concept was made.

Hakkuukoneen syöttörullien vaikutus rungon prosessoinnin nopeuteen, polttoaineenkulutukseen sekä tukkipuuvaurioihin

Seloste artikkelista: Operational efficiency and damage to sawlogs by feed rollers of the harvester head / Yrjo Nuutinen ... [et al.] - Julkaisussa: Silva Fennica 44 (2010) : 1, s. 121-139.