Development of economic and environmental metrics for forest-based biomass harvesting

2016 International Conference on New Energy and Future Energy System

Zhang, F.L.^1 ; Wang, J.J.^1 ; Liu, S.H.^1 ; Zhang, S.M.^1

Department of Mechanical and Transportation Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Beijing

102249, China^1

关键词: Biomass harvesting;    Harvesting costs;    Harvesting operations;    Harvesting system;    Life Cycle Inventory;    Logging industry;    Mixed hardwoods;    Whole tree harvesting;   

Others  :  https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-1315/40/1/012052/pdf
DOI  :  10.1088/1755-1315/40/1/012052

来源: IOP

【 摘 要 】

An assessment of the economic, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission dimensions of forest-based biomass harvest stage in the state of Michigan, U.S. through gathering data from literature, database, and other relevant sources, was performed. The assessment differentiates harvesting systems (cut-to-length harvesting, whole tree harvesting, and motor-manual harvesting), harvest types (30%, 70%, and 100% cut) and forest types (hardwoods, softwoods, mixed hardwood/softwood, and softwood plantations) that characterize Michigan's logging industry. Machine rate methods were employed to determine unit harvesting cost. A life cycle inventory was applied to calculating energy demand and GHG emissions of different harvesting scenarios, considering energy and material inputs (diesel, machinery, etc.) and outputs (emissions) for each process (cutting, forwarding/skidding, etc.). A sensitivity analysis was performed for selected input variables for the harvesting operation in order to explore their relative importance. The results indicated that productivity had the largest impact on harvesting cost followed by machinery purchase price, yearly scheduled hours, and expected utilization. Productivity and fuel use, as well as fuel factors, are the most influential environmental impacts of harvesting operations.