Title:
Breakthrough Harvesting and Pelleting System for Fodder and Energy Grasses
Author(s):
Force, J., Manheim, L.
Document(s):
Paper
Slide presentation
Abstract:
Iron Goat Technology, Inc. has developed a robotic harvesting technology for creating biomass pellets directly from standing grassy biomass while harvesting. Primary uses include livestock feed from hay crops, and pellet fuel from a large number of cultivated and wild sources. By combining harvesting, material processing, and pelleting on a single platform with an autonomous guidance system, most of the inefficiencies of conventional biomass feedstock harvesting and processing are eliminated. Iron Goat can produce a pellet product at a price well below the cost of conventional hay harvesting to a baled product. Advances in machine vision and reasoning, combined with hyperspectral imaging including night vision and thermal imaging allow the platform to operate day and night in complex environments. The platform uses a conventional internal combustion engine that can run either off of traditional liquid or gaseous fuels, or a biomass gasification reactor to provide fuel directly from the biomass being harvested.
Keywords:
harvesting, pellet, autonomous, robotic, machine vision, self-fueling
Topic:
Industry Sessions
Subtopic:
Biomass Resources (Crops,SRF, Algae and Organic Waste)
Event:
23rd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
ICO.8.2
Pages:
1728 - 1734
ISBN:
978-88-89407-516
Paper DOI:
10.5071/23rdEUBCE2015-ICO.8.2
Price:
FREE
