Title:
Yields and Costs of Mechanized Harvesting with a Harvester-Mulcher Operating in a Rockrose (Cistus laurifolius L.) Shrubland
Author(s):
Bados, R., Ciria, C.S., Pérez, J., Corredor, R., Barro, R., Esteban, L.S., Mediavilla, I., Fernández, M.J.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
The mechanized clearing of scrub is a common practice in forest fire prevention work in Mediterranean countries. The technical feasibility of biomass harvesting from shrublands in areas suitable for mechanization has been demonstrated, which contributes to reduce wildfire risk by obtaining sustainable solid biofuels from shrubslands of high flammability risk. The aim of this research is to evaluate the performance of a harvester-mulcher system (López-Garrido TBA 2300 series) never used before for rockrose (Cistus laurifolius L.) biomass collection. The biomass collection tests using this equipment yielded satisfactory results and provided better results than other tested systems for clearing and collecting rockrose. The shrub clearing itself was acceptable and the low biomass collection efficiency was enough to reduce the vertical continuity of fuel in fire prevention work. The average collected biomass was 6.9 tDM/ha (12.9 tWM/ha), which represented 31.3% of the standing shrub biomass load. The weight productivity was 2.8 tWM/PMH (1.5 tDM/PMH) and the surface productivity 0.22 ha/PMH. The total net costs of the tractor with the harvester-mulcher were estimated at 85.95 €/PMH and 30.33 €/tDM. Rockrose is a low-cost solid fuel that will generate low emissions of NOx, SO2, HCl, and trace elements, without causing clogging problems due to slag formation. Due to its ash content, it is preferred for industrial use rather than residential use in thermo-chemical facilities.
Keywords:
biofuel, quality, pretreatment, scrub, clearings, wildfires
Topic:
Sustainable Resources for Decarbonising the Economy
Subtopic:
Biomass resources and potentials
Event:
33rd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1AO.7.4
Pages:
75 - 79
ISBN:
978-88-89407-25-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/33rdEUBCE2025-1AO.7.4
Price:
FREE
