Biomass harvester nears completion
The prototype mallee harvester developed by Biosystems Engineering and Future Farm Industries Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) has exceeded expectations in the final stages of its development. During trials near Casino in New South Wales, trees were harvested at a rate of 38 tonnes per hour for 74 minutes, far surpassing the milestone target of at least 20 tonnes per hour for at least an hour. Peter Zurzolo, Chief Executive Officer of the CRC, said the trial’s success brings commercialisation of the harvester a step closer. “This is a great achievement for the dedicated teams of people involved in this project over the past 15 years. Development of the successful prototype has been passionately pursued by Richard Sulman of Biosystems Engineering, and the Western Australian (WA) Department of Environment and Conservation’s (DEC) Rick Giles and John Bartle, and others. To see the harvester working so well during the trial was a thrill, and a great result for all those involved,” he said. “The excitement generated by the mallee harvester has helped us to build relationships with aviation industry partners who see mallee biomass as a future source for aviation biofuel. An integrated supply chain, from mallees in the ground through harvesting to biofuel production, is simply not possible without a mallee harvester. The engineering behind this machine is outstanding and full credit to Biosystems Engineering for its design,” Mr Zurzolo said. The continuing potential for aviation biofuels will form one of the themes of the upcoming FIEA conference series on green growth developments in March next year. The FIEA CleanTECH - Residues to Revenues Technology series will run in early March 2013 in both Melbourne and Rotorua. A call for papers will be issued shortly. The theme will be widened this coming to include developments in clean technology that are being pursued by companies across the primary industries. | ||
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