Roll splitting for field processing of biomass

Abstract

The concept of roll splitting wood originated in 1967 when the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) forest products specialists developed a wood fibrator. The objective of that work was to produce raw materials for reconstituted board products. More recently, TVA focused on roll splitting as a field process to accelerate drying of small trees (3-15 cm diameter), much like the process used for conditioning hay.

Recently, TVA's interest in roll splitting was stimulated by its development by the Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada The interest in this process as a harvesting process stems from (FERIC). several hypothetical advantages and the opportunity to channel funds used for vegetation control to harvest biomass. Cooperative efforts among TVA; the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (FS); and FERIC--along with independent work by other organizations--have confirmed some of the hypotheses. The intent of this paper is to outline the work accomplished to date, not only on roll splitting, but also other components of the harvesting system in which it would play a key role.

Citation

Curtin, Dennis T.; Sirois, Donald L.; Sturos, John A. 1987. Roll splitting for field processing of biomass. In: Proceedings of an IEA BEA CPC-11 Technical Group Meeting; 1987 September 13-19; Aberdeen, United Kingdom. 10 p.