In the next twenty years in Finland, annual cuttings on peatland forests are foreseen to increase... more In the next twenty years in Finland, annual cuttings on peatland forests are foreseen to increase by up to 30 % of the total cuttings. Cost effective harvesting meth-ods on low yield peatland forests coupled with low ground bearing capacity are required. One solution to improve the feasibility of harvesting could be excavators tailored for forestry use and equipped with a harvesting head. In the study, cost competitiveness and productivity of the excavator-based harvester were investigated. The cost analysis focused on operating hours of harvester use, shift arrangements and purchase prices for the base machine and harvesting equipment when the base ma-chine was used partly as a harvester and an excavator. Results were compared to conventional wheeled harvest-ers. If the base machine is used more than 3 working months as a harvester in addition to normal (6-8 months) excavator work, the harvesting method would be cost competitive compared to purpose-built harvesters (if 1½ and 2 shi...
Full article in: Asplundh, D. (ed.). Bioenergy in Wood Industry 2005, 12.-15.9.2005 – Book of Pro... more Full article in: Asplundh, D. (ed.). Bioenergy in Wood Industry 2005, 12.-15.9.2005 – Book of Proceedings. FINBIO Publication 32, pp. 243-250.
In Finland, 70 to 80% of all logging contractors have their own truck fleet for relocation of the... more In Finland, 70 to 80% of all logging contractors have their own truck fleet for relocation of their forest machines. Some of the smaller contractors – usually having less than 3 machines – are relying on outsourcing for ma-chine relocation. Even though the cost of machine relocation carried out by machine relocation service companies can often be cheaper than the use of contractors' own relocation trucks, contractors prefer to have their own trucks. The explanation for that is that contractors need to carry out the machine relocation at specific times with minimum machine delays. A cost calculator for forest machine relocations was formulated and the most relevant issues related to forest machine relocation in Finland are presented in the paper. On average, the relocation cost of forest machines was about 6 to 10% of the total logging (cutting and forwarding) costs. In the case of a logging contractor with one low-bed truck and one harvester-forwarder system, the machine relocat...
ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to develop, compare and validate model prototypes for es... more ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to develop, compare and validate model prototypes for estimating the optimal storage time of fuelwood stacks stored outdoors based on average moisture changes. Multivariate models for estimating moisture changes in different drying environments were created for this purpose. Experimental data were gathered during 7 to 14 months for most common wood fuel raw materials. In addition to taking moisture samples manually, load cell-based automated data recording for fuelwood moisture content change estimation proved a feasible option to obtain data for fuelwood drying models. The major factors considered in this study for predicting woody biomass moisture content change were precipitation, cumulative precipitation, evaporation, cumulative reference evaporation and fuelwood type. Multivariate drying models can help optimize deliveries of fuelwood and therefore increase the efficiency of the whole fuelwood supply chain.
Moisture management is a key element to improving the cost-efficiency of energy wood supply, thro... more Moisture management is a key element to improving the cost-efficiency of energy wood supply, through the whole supply chain. Numerous studies of natural drying of forest biomass have been carried out based on traditional sampling of piles or weighing. The latest methodology for monitoring moisture changes has been continuous weighing of biomass in racks built on load cells. The aim of this study was to develop accurate drying models in Austria and Finland for small diameter logs and test the exchangeability of the developed models between countries. Overall drying periods were December 2009 to February 2011 for Austria and March 2012 to June 2013 for Finland. Moisture content dropped from 50.1% to 32.2% (Austria) and from 62.2% to 38.6% (Finland) during the drying periods. Drying performance was evaluated for the period April to October. Two different types of models were developed and the results were cross validated. It proved to be possible to fit satisfactory accurate drying mod...
ABSTRACT The moisture content of forest-wood chips is one of the most important quality factors f... more ABSTRACT The moisture content of forest-wood chips is one of the most important quality factors for the rapidly growing bioenergy sector. Rising transportation costs and increased use of forest biomass for energy are forcing biomass suppliers towards better moisture-content management in the supply chain. In the literature, numerous studies on natural drying of forest biomass have been conducted based on traditional sampling of piles or weighing. The latest methodology for moisture-change monitoring has been constant weighing of piles in racks built on load cells. In this study, seven piles of logging residues were monitored for between 35 and 85 weeks in Finnish climatic conditions. In addition, two small piles which imitated drying in stand conditions were monitored for 6 weeks. After 8 months of drying, a remarkable dry-matter loss was observed in the logging residue piles.
Bioenergy 2009, Sustainable Bioenergy Business. 4th International Bioenergy Conference and Exhibi... more Bioenergy 2009, Sustainable Bioenergy Business. 4th International Bioenergy Conference and Exhibition. Savolainen, Mia (ed.). Jyväskylä, 31 Aug. - 4 Sept. 2009. Book of proceedings. Part 1.
Increasing procurement volumes of forest biomass for energy require improved information systems ... more Increasing procurement volumes of forest biomass for energy require improved information systems to control and manage transportation. Moisture content of the biomass is the most important quality parameter to follow. Transportation of water in solid biofuels increases both costs and CO 2 emissions. Procurement operations need to be directed to storages which have low enough moisture content. Storing the fuel too long time increases capital costs of procurement as well as heating value losses. This complex decision making situation requires for possibility to forecast moisture content changes of storages as a part of the procurement control of energy wood. This study introduces one approach to create forecasting algorithm based on daily moisture change and drying periods. The algorithm is simple and easy to program and can be a part of enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications.
ABSTRACT This research analyses the productivity of energy wood chipping operations at several si... more ABSTRACT This research analyses the productivity of energy wood chipping operations at several sites in Austria and Finland. The aim of the work is to examine the differences in productivity and the effects of the operational environment for the chipping of bioenergy at the roadside. Furthermore, the study quantifies the effects of different variables such as forest energy assortments, tree species, sieve size and machines on the overall productivity of chipping. The results revealed that there are significant differences in the chipping productivity in Austria and Finland which are largely based on the use of different sieve sizes. Furthermore, the different operational environments in both countries, as well as the characteristics of the raw material also seem to have an effect on productivity. In order to improve the chipping productivity, particularly in Central European conditions, all relevant stakeholders need to work jointly to find solutions that will allow a greater variation of chip size. Furthermore, in the future more consideration has to be given to the close interlinkage between the chipper, crane and grapple. As a result, investments costs can be optimized and operational costs and stress on the machines reduced.
Even if the NPV of FOA2 seems to be very high, the profitability of SCM tools in forest fuel proc... more Even if the NPV of FOA2 seems to be very high, the profitability of SCM tools in forest fuel procurement is clearly demonstrated. Additionally, the results indicate that a considerable cost saving potential in forest fuel procurement is attainable through improving work flows and thus reduce the work input. Keywords forest fuel, logistics, supply chain management, cost-benefit analysis Addresses Windisch, Finnish Forest Research Institute, Joensuu Research Unit, Yliopistokatu 6, PO Box 68, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland; Sikanen, ...
ABSTRACT Growing markets of chopped firewood have created alternative uses for the by-products of... more ABSTRACT Growing markets of chopped firewood have created alternative uses for the by-products of saw mills. Based on both empirical data and simulated results, we investigated the potential of birch (Betula pendula Roth, Betula pubescens Ehrh.) from commercial thinnings for combined industrial production of sawn timber and firewood billets. In the simulations, different sawing patterns were used for logs intended to combined production of sawn timber and billets for chopped firewood (“saw logs”), and for logs intended only to firewood production (“firewood logs”). Finally, we carried out economical feasibility analysis concerning the differences between the saw mills’ traditional business concept and the novel concept combining sawn wood and firewood production. The bucking results for the recovery of different timber assortments varied only slightly between the different bucking options, i.e. the combinations of timber assortments. The main differences in the volumes of timber assortments were due to the stand type where the birch trees were sampled (planted, naturally regenerated, mixed birch-spruce). In the sawing procedure, the output of sawn timber varied between 24% and 42% of the log volume in the “saw logs”, depending on the log diameter class. As the recovery of sawn timber and firewood billets was counted together in the case of “saw logs”, the log consumption was ca. 1.75 m3 of roundwood per 1 m3 of sawn timber and firewood billets. In the case of the “firewood logs”, the log consumption rate was considerably lower, only ca. 1.35. The economic calculations showed that using the “firewood approach” in sawing may increase the net added value of products between 1.9 to 5.4 euros per m3 of logs, depending on their diameter class. In our view, parallel production of sawn timber and firewood from logs from the first and second thinnings of birch-dominated stands is a concept that could work as an alliance of a sawmiller and a firewood entrepreneur. The concept could be competitive compared to the traditional sawmilling and production of chopped firewood both.
The use of forest chips for energy can decrease net carbon emissions to the atmosphere, but harve... more The use of forest chips for energy can decrease net carbon emissions to the atmosphere, but harvesting logging residues and stumps may have adverse effects on the environment, including changes in nutrient export to water-bodies. The aim of this study was, with the aid of a ...
In the next twenty years in Finland, annual cuttings on peatland forests are foreseen to increase... more In the next twenty years in Finland, annual cuttings on peatland forests are foreseen to increase by up to 30 % of the total cuttings. Cost effective harvesting meth-ods on low yield peatland forests coupled with low ground bearing capacity are required. One solution to improve the feasibility of harvesting could be excavators tailored for forestry use and equipped with a harvesting head. In the study, cost competitiveness and productivity of the excavator-based harvester were investigated. The cost analysis focused on operating hours of harvester use, shift arrangements and purchase prices for the base machine and harvesting equipment when the base ma-chine was used partly as a harvester and an excavator. Results were compared to conventional wheeled harvest-ers. If the base machine is used more than 3 working months as a harvester in addition to normal (6-8 months) excavator work, the harvesting method would be cost competitive compared to purpose-built harvesters (if 1½ and 2 shi...
Full article in: Asplundh, D. (ed.). Bioenergy in Wood Industry 2005, 12.-15.9.2005 – Book of Pro... more Full article in: Asplundh, D. (ed.). Bioenergy in Wood Industry 2005, 12.-15.9.2005 – Book of Proceedings. FINBIO Publication 32, pp. 243-250.
In Finland, 70 to 80% of all logging contractors have their own truck fleet for relocation of the... more In Finland, 70 to 80% of all logging contractors have their own truck fleet for relocation of their forest machines. Some of the smaller contractors – usually having less than 3 machines – are relying on outsourcing for ma-chine relocation. Even though the cost of machine relocation carried out by machine relocation service companies can often be cheaper than the use of contractors' own relocation trucks, contractors prefer to have their own trucks. The explanation for that is that contractors need to carry out the machine relocation at specific times with minimum machine delays. A cost calculator for forest machine relocations was formulated and the most relevant issues related to forest machine relocation in Finland are presented in the paper. On average, the relocation cost of forest machines was about 6 to 10% of the total logging (cutting and forwarding) costs. In the case of a logging contractor with one low-bed truck and one harvester-forwarder system, the machine relocat...
ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to develop, compare and validate model prototypes for es... more ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to develop, compare and validate model prototypes for estimating the optimal storage time of fuelwood stacks stored outdoors based on average moisture changes. Multivariate models for estimating moisture changes in different drying environments were created for this purpose. Experimental data were gathered during 7 to 14 months for most common wood fuel raw materials. In addition to taking moisture samples manually, load cell-based automated data recording for fuelwood moisture content change estimation proved a feasible option to obtain data for fuelwood drying models. The major factors considered in this study for predicting woody biomass moisture content change were precipitation, cumulative precipitation, evaporation, cumulative reference evaporation and fuelwood type. Multivariate drying models can help optimize deliveries of fuelwood and therefore increase the efficiency of the whole fuelwood supply chain.
Moisture management is a key element to improving the cost-efficiency of energy wood supply, thro... more Moisture management is a key element to improving the cost-efficiency of energy wood supply, through the whole supply chain. Numerous studies of natural drying of forest biomass have been carried out based on traditional sampling of piles or weighing. The latest methodology for monitoring moisture changes has been continuous weighing of biomass in racks built on load cells. The aim of this study was to develop accurate drying models in Austria and Finland for small diameter logs and test the exchangeability of the developed models between countries. Overall drying periods were December 2009 to February 2011 for Austria and March 2012 to June 2013 for Finland. Moisture content dropped from 50.1% to 32.2% (Austria) and from 62.2% to 38.6% (Finland) during the drying periods. Drying performance was evaluated for the period April to October. Two different types of models were developed and the results were cross validated. It proved to be possible to fit satisfactory accurate drying mod...
ABSTRACT The moisture content of forest-wood chips is one of the most important quality factors f... more ABSTRACT The moisture content of forest-wood chips is one of the most important quality factors for the rapidly growing bioenergy sector. Rising transportation costs and increased use of forest biomass for energy are forcing biomass suppliers towards better moisture-content management in the supply chain. In the literature, numerous studies on natural drying of forest biomass have been conducted based on traditional sampling of piles or weighing. The latest methodology for moisture-change monitoring has been constant weighing of piles in racks built on load cells. In this study, seven piles of logging residues were monitored for between 35 and 85 weeks in Finnish climatic conditions. In addition, two small piles which imitated drying in stand conditions were monitored for 6 weeks. After 8 months of drying, a remarkable dry-matter loss was observed in the logging residue piles.
Bioenergy 2009, Sustainable Bioenergy Business. 4th International Bioenergy Conference and Exhibi... more Bioenergy 2009, Sustainable Bioenergy Business. 4th International Bioenergy Conference and Exhibition. Savolainen, Mia (ed.). Jyväskylä, 31 Aug. - 4 Sept. 2009. Book of proceedings. Part 1.
Increasing procurement volumes of forest biomass for energy require improved information systems ... more Increasing procurement volumes of forest biomass for energy require improved information systems to control and manage transportation. Moisture content of the biomass is the most important quality parameter to follow. Transportation of water in solid biofuels increases both costs and CO 2 emissions. Procurement operations need to be directed to storages which have low enough moisture content. Storing the fuel too long time increases capital costs of procurement as well as heating value losses. This complex decision making situation requires for possibility to forecast moisture content changes of storages as a part of the procurement control of energy wood. This study introduces one approach to create forecasting algorithm based on daily moisture change and drying periods. The algorithm is simple and easy to program and can be a part of enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications.
ABSTRACT This research analyses the productivity of energy wood chipping operations at several si... more ABSTRACT This research analyses the productivity of energy wood chipping operations at several sites in Austria and Finland. The aim of the work is to examine the differences in productivity and the effects of the operational environment for the chipping of bioenergy at the roadside. Furthermore, the study quantifies the effects of different variables such as forest energy assortments, tree species, sieve size and machines on the overall productivity of chipping. The results revealed that there are significant differences in the chipping productivity in Austria and Finland which are largely based on the use of different sieve sizes. Furthermore, the different operational environments in both countries, as well as the characteristics of the raw material also seem to have an effect on productivity. In order to improve the chipping productivity, particularly in Central European conditions, all relevant stakeholders need to work jointly to find solutions that will allow a greater variation of chip size. Furthermore, in the future more consideration has to be given to the close interlinkage between the chipper, crane and grapple. As a result, investments costs can be optimized and operational costs and stress on the machines reduced.
Even if the NPV of FOA2 seems to be very high, the profitability of SCM tools in forest fuel proc... more Even if the NPV of FOA2 seems to be very high, the profitability of SCM tools in forest fuel procurement is clearly demonstrated. Additionally, the results indicate that a considerable cost saving potential in forest fuel procurement is attainable through improving work flows and thus reduce the work input. Keywords forest fuel, logistics, supply chain management, cost-benefit analysis Addresses Windisch, Finnish Forest Research Institute, Joensuu Research Unit, Yliopistokatu 6, PO Box 68, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland; Sikanen, ...
ABSTRACT Growing markets of chopped firewood have created alternative uses for the by-products of... more ABSTRACT Growing markets of chopped firewood have created alternative uses for the by-products of saw mills. Based on both empirical data and simulated results, we investigated the potential of birch (Betula pendula Roth, Betula pubescens Ehrh.) from commercial thinnings for combined industrial production of sawn timber and firewood billets. In the simulations, different sawing patterns were used for logs intended to combined production of sawn timber and billets for chopped firewood (“saw logs”), and for logs intended only to firewood production (“firewood logs”). Finally, we carried out economical feasibility analysis concerning the differences between the saw mills’ traditional business concept and the novel concept combining sawn wood and firewood production. The bucking results for the recovery of different timber assortments varied only slightly between the different bucking options, i.e. the combinations of timber assortments. The main differences in the volumes of timber assortments were due to the stand type where the birch trees were sampled (planted, naturally regenerated, mixed birch-spruce). In the sawing procedure, the output of sawn timber varied between 24% and 42% of the log volume in the “saw logs”, depending on the log diameter class. As the recovery of sawn timber and firewood billets was counted together in the case of “saw logs”, the log consumption was ca. 1.75 m3 of roundwood per 1 m3 of sawn timber and firewood billets. In the case of the “firewood logs”, the log consumption rate was considerably lower, only ca. 1.35. The economic calculations showed that using the “firewood approach” in sawing may increase the net added value of products between 1.9 to 5.4 euros per m3 of logs, depending on their diameter class. In our view, parallel production of sawn timber and firewood from logs from the first and second thinnings of birch-dominated stands is a concept that could work as an alliance of a sawmiller and a firewood entrepreneur. The concept could be competitive compared to the traditional sawmilling and production of chopped firewood both.
The use of forest chips for energy can decrease net carbon emissions to the atmosphere, but harve... more The use of forest chips for energy can decrease net carbon emissions to the atmosphere, but harvesting logging residues and stumps may have adverse effects on the environment, including changes in nutrient export to water-bodies. The aim of this study was, with the aid of a ...
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