This COFORD publication investigated the harvesting, storage and fuel value of forest residues.
The authors of the publication, titled “Forest Residues: Heating, storage and fuel value”, were Seamus Hoyne and Adrian Thomas. It was published by COFORD in 2001, but the information remains very interesting and valuable. The objectives of the project were to:
The authors of the publication, titled “Forest Residues: Heating, storage and fuel value”, were Seamus Hoyne and Adrian Thomas. It was published by COFORD in 2001, but the information remains very interesting and valuable. The objectives of the project were to:
- Develop and test a mobile bundling machine
- Analyse the effects of bundle size and density
- Study the behaviour of forest residues when bundled and left to dry naturally
- Analyse the optimum drying period, time of year of production and drying position
- Analyse variation in moisture content, calorific value and dry matter losses in bundles
- Utilise the results in the design of a mobile forest residue bundling machine
- Development of the design specification for bundling. This included shape, length, diameter, mass, dimensional stability, loading method, orientation, compaction force required, strapping, mounting, gross weight, overall height, automation, safety and durability.
- Machine design. This considered the location of the bundler on the forwarder, compaction ratios, hydraulic systems, end trimming and strapping.
- Machine operation. This covered the bundle manufacturing procedure, with varying bundle sizes and compaction ratios being considered.