ABSTRACT
The harvest, handling, and transport of biomass feedstocks represents a massive materials handling challenge, requiring rapid innovation and investment if bioenergy systems as a whole are to achieve policy goals. The International Energy Agency estimates biomass will need to provide 23% of global primary energy by 2050 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% (IEA 2008). This target would require sufcient biomass to supply 150 EJ/year (1 EJ = 1018 J), which translates to 15 billion metric tons (Mg) annually (Richard 2010). This projected biomass tonnage is more than 7 times greater than the approximately 2 Mg of grains and oilseeds currently traded worldwide (World Agricultural Outlook Board 2011). Without effective densication, this biomass would exceed the current trade volumes of grain, oil, and coal combined by a factor of 4 assuming typical woodchip
7.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 119 7.2 Herbaceous Biomass Harvest ............................................................................................... 120
7.2.1 Mowing or Swathing ................................................................................................ 120 7.2.2 Field Drying, Tedding, Raking, or Merging ............................................................. 121 7.2.3 Baling and Bale Handling ........................................................................................ 121 7.2.4 Herbaceous Biomass Chopping ................................................................................ 122
7.3 Biomass Storage .................................................................................................................... 123 7.4 Forest Biomass Harvest ........................................................................................................ 123
7.4.1 Felling, Delimbing, and Debarking .......................................................................... 123 7.4.2 Chipping ...................................................................................................................124 7.4.3 Forest Residue Bundling ...........................................................................................124
