Costing forest residue recovery through simulation

The search for alternative energy sources has renewed interest in the energy potential of wood. Supplies of wood residue seem to be a likely source of material and the greatest volumes of residue are located in the forest. Methods are needed to more economically recover this residue. Traditional logging methods have been used but are too expensive. SAPLØS (<underline>S</underline>imulation <underline>AP</underline>plied to <underline>LO</underline>gging <underline>S</underline>ystems) is a model designed to simulate a variety of logging systems. It is used in this analysis to simulate alternative methods of residue recovery. Three case studies are developed and described in terms of model modifications. The first involves whole tree chipping of a stand. The second allows for recovery of sawlogs and subsequent chipping of the residue. The third simulates field operation of a pelletizing process that converts chips to a more dense and dry fuel pellet.