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Abstract
To achieve optimal utilisation of logging residues for energy, it is important to know how different handling and storage methods affect fuel properties. The aim of this study was to model how the moisture content and dry matter losses of logging residues develop during storage. Logging residues were collected from five different stands of spruce and pine during different seasons of the year and stored in the same location. The logging residues were stored in covered piles of bundled residues and loose residues. Only minor differences were found in the moisture content profiles between piles of bundles and loose residues. Logging residues located in the centre of both types of piles had considerably lower moisture content than the outer parts. The moisture content significantly affected dry matter loss, with the highest dry matter losses being found in the samples with the least favourable drying conditions. The dry matter losses varied between 1 and 3% per month. Significantly higher dry matter losses were found in the spruce bundles than in the pine bundles. Seasoned logging residues had the lowest dry matter loss, while the logging residues harvested and piled in the autumn had the highest loss.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Glommen Forest Owner association for help in financing the project. The authors would also like to thank Rogbico bundling, Nordermoen transport and Bjørns transport at Braskereidfoss for assistance with the practical performance of the experiment. The authors also wish to thank Leif Kjøstelsen and Ivar Fæste for assisting in the sampling, and Kari Hollung and Riitta Miettinen for preparing and analysing the samples.
The study was also supported by The Research Council of Norway partly through CenBio, for which we are grateful.